Biomarkers from individual carbonate phases of an Oligocene cold-seep deposit, Washington State, USA

Author(s)
A. Hagemann, T. Leefmann, J. Peckmann, V.-E. Hoffmann, V. Thiel
Abstract

An Oligocene cold-seep limestone (Lincoln Creek Formation, Washington State, USA) was studied for its lipid biomarker inventory. Biomarker analysis on minute amounts of sample (tens of mg) and complementary C analyses allowed us to link biogeochemical processes with individual, closely intertwined carbonate phases. The ancient seep deposit exhibits four major carbonate phases, according to the paragenetic sequence of (I) micrite, (II) yellow aragonite, (III) clear aragonite and (IV) equant calcite spar. For the micrite, varying but significant amounts of archaea-derived isoprenoids clearly indicate that the precipitation of this phase was induced by the microbial anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). However, water column-derived lipids present in this carbonate phase reflect the incorporation of organic matter from background sediment cemented by authigenic micrite. Yellow aragonite made up only a minor rock component (

Organisation(s)
Department of Geology
External organisation(s)
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Journal
Lethaia: an international journal of palaeontology and stratigraphy
Volume
46
Pages
7-18
No. of pages
12
ISSN
0024-1164
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2012.00316.x
Publication date
01-2013
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105121 Sedimentology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/00c23163-abc0-4004-8fa4-505ff6fb373c