Geochemistry of carbon at DSDP Leg 60 Holes

There is no odd-predominance of n-alkanes as is typical of immature recent sediments. However, recent sediments containing immature organic matter with normal distributions of n-alkanes {OEP1 approximately equal to 1) are characteristic of sediments derived from purely marine sources (Brooks, 1970; Powell and McKirdy, 1973; Tissot et al., 1975).

This type of sediment is very rare. However, at least one case where an immature sediment contains an OEP of near 1 has been reported in samples similar to those reported herein - that is, the Cariaco Trench (Hunt, 1979).