DIAGENESIS OF SPOROPOLLENIN AND OTHER COMPARABLE ORGANIC SUBSTANCES: APPLICATION TO HYDROCARBON RESEARCH

Abstract An attempt is made to evaluate the various parameters of the diagenetic evolution of sporopollenin and other associated organic elements. This study has been statistically treated with a C.D.C. 6400 computer. The diagenetic evolution of sporopollenin appears to depend largely on its maximum depth of burial and on the temperature attained at this depth. However, some parameters like the lithology, and age of the studied geological formation also have some influence on the evolution. The organic elements, (vegetable remains, amorphous organic matter) encountered in association with the spores and pollen seem to be less affected by thermal evolution. This is probably due to the physico-chemical conditions prevailing at the time of sedimentation. The genesis of hydrocarbons pre-supposes certain essential constituents such as adequate quantity and suitable type of organic matter, as well as a moderate thermal maturity. Such characteristic factors may be determined by physico-chemical analysis and geochemical interpretation. Moreover, the microscopical examination of sporopollenin and associated organic elements offer valuable supplementary information to these analyses. In some oil-producing countries, it was possible to define the relationship between the quality and degree of evolution of the microscopically observed organic matter of the mother-rock on the one hand, and on the other, the various types of hydrocarbons encountered. It is therefore possible to evaluate oil potential possibilities from the microscopical study of sporopollenin.