Generation characteristics of organic matter and distribution of biomarkers in bitumens of the Riphean, Vendian, and Cambrian source rocks of the Siberian Platform

Abstract The distribution of biomarkers in bitumens of source rocks of different ages in the southern Siberian Platform is studied to elucidate the correlation between oils and their sources. It is shown that the bitumens of Riphean, Vendian, and Lower-Middle Cambrian source rocks are different in some parameters reflecting the type of primary biogenic material, first of all, in the distribution of n-alkanes and acyclic isoprenoids and in the portions of steranes and triterpanes among polycyclic naphthenes. The revealed difference in the composition and distribution of biomarkers in bitumens of source rocks of different ages can be used to identify the sources of hydrocarbons in discovered pools.