Open AccessOrganic compounds from Cretaceous coals of Nûgssuaq, West Greenland
Author(s) -
James C.W. Lam,
Kaj Raunsgaard Pedersen
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2597-2936
pISSN - 0105-3507
DOI - 10.34194/bullggu.v130.6672
Subject(s) - phytane , pristane , cretaceous , terpenoid , chemistry , organic chemistry , flora (microbiology) , geology , environmental chemistry , paleontology , hydrocarbon , stereochemistry , bacteria
Bituminous coals from the Lower Cretaceous Korne Formation and the Upper Cretaceous Atane Formation of Nûgssuaq have been analyzed for organic compounds. In the Atane Formation n-C12- to n-C31-alkanes, C19- and C20-isoprenoids (pristane and phytane) and possibly C14-, C15-, and C16-isoprenoids are present. n-C9- to n-C28-acids, norphytanic acid and phytanic acid have also been detected. In the Korne Formation n-C14- to n-C27-alkanes, C19- and Czoisoprenoids and possibly C14- and C15-isoprenoids are present. n-C8- to n-C26 -acids, in addition C8- to C20-α, ω-diacids could be detected. The difference between the Korne flora (predominantly gymnosperms and ferns) and the Atane flora (dominated by angiosperms) is not apparent in the organic chemistry. Comparisons are made with extracts from Rhaetic-Liassic coal from the Kap Stewart Formation of East Greenland where only C14- and C16-acids and aromatic acids were detected.