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Organic geochemical study of Ypresian sediments at Jebel Ousselat, Tunisia

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Abstract

This new study was carried out in order to accurately characterize the geochemical pattern of Ousselat organic-rich facies from the Ypresian basin in central-northern Tunisia. It has been found that the organic matter is located towards the end of diagenesis/beginning of catagenesis. This assumption is supported by the relative low T max values (429–439°C) and by steranes maturity parameters such as C29 αα 20S/(20S + 20R), and C29 ββ/(ββ + αα). High HI values and the abundance of saturates (1–83%) compared to aromatics (2–27%) are unequivocal evidence of type-II organic matter as indicated by a high abundance of cholestane and the predominance of short-chain n-alkanes centred at n-C18 and at n-C20. Total organic carbon (TOC) content and petroleum potential values suggest that the Ypresian period corresponds to an anoxic event which led to the accumulation and preservation of large quantities of organic matter with high primary production. Due to their geochemical characteristics, the Lower Eocene facies represent a new potential source rocks in central-northern Tunisia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, GEOGLOB code 03/UR/10602 University of Sfax, P.O. Box 802, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    A. Arfaoui & M. Montacer

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  1. A. Arfaoui
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  2. M. Montacer
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Correspondence to A. Arfaoui.

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Original Russian Text © A. Arfaoui, M. Montacer, 2008, published in Geokhimiya, 2008, No. 10, pp. 1092–1105.

The text was submitted by the authors in English.

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Arfaoui, A., Montacer, M. Organic geochemical study of Ypresian sediments at Jebel Ousselat, Tunisia. Geochem. Int. 46, 1023–1037 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702908100078

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