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Thermal Alteration as a Contributory Process to the Genesis of Petroleum

Nature volume 219, pages 1012–1016 (1968)Cite this article

Abstract

The products of pyrolysis of n-octacosane (C28H58) have been identified by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. The reaction is affected by clay minerals. The experiments provide further support for the view that thermal and catalytic alteration of the organic material present in sediments in part explains the genesis of petroleum and other hydrocarbon minerals.

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Author notes

  1. W. HENDERSON: On leave from the Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol,

    W. HENDERSON & G. EGLINTON

  2. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Angeles, California

    P. SIMMONDS

  3. Bowerchalke, Near Salisbury, Wiltshire

    J. E. LOVELOCK

Authors
  1. W. HENDERSON
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  2. G. EGLINTON
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  3. P. SIMMONDS
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  4. J. E. LOVELOCK
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HENDERSON, W., EGLINTON, G., SIMMONDS, P. et al. Thermal Alteration as a Contributory Process to the Genesis of Petroleum. Nature 219, 1012–1016 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/2191012a0

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