Sedimentary organic matter sources and depositional environment in the Yegua formation (Brazos County, Texas) Academic Article

abstract

• The complex depositional environment of the Eocene Yegua formation (Brazos County, Texas) can be better understood by integrating organic matter (OM) geochemistry with stratigraphy. Yegua sediments represent parasequences separated by exposure surfaces. Organic petrography and geochemistry (biomarkers, C/N ratios, and carbon isotopes) indicate the presence of both terrestrial and marine OM in transgressive sediments. In contrast, regressive sediments contain only terrestrial OM. These differences relate to contrasting OM sources and depositional styles on the shelf. OM in the sediments is immature and the potential for generating hydrocarbons is poor. The study suggests that organic geochemical data can help in distinguishing transgressive and regressive environments in sedimentary formations.

authors

• Grossman, Ethan
• Mcdonald, Thomas

published proceedings

• ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY

author list (cited authors)

• Routh, J., McDonald, T. J., & Grossman, E. L.

citation count

• 17

complete list of authors

• Routh, J||McDonald, TJ||Grossman, EL

publication date

• November 1999

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• Organic Geochemistry  Journal

keywords

• Biomarkers
• C/N Ratio
• Carbon Isotopes
• Parasequences
• Regressive
• Stratigraphic Boundaries
• Transgressive
• Yegua Formation

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/S0146-6380(99)00118-7

start page

• 1437

end page

• 1453

volume

• 30

issue

• 11

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0146-6380(99)00118-7