General descriptions, organic contents and ratios of geolipid components at DSDP Leg 74 Holes

Organic carbon concentrations average 0.32% and show a diagenetic decrease with greater sediment age. Distributions of n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids give evidence of considerable microbial reworking and of eolian contributions of terrigenous components.

Organic contents of these sediments reflect a history of low marine productivity and poor preservation of organic matter in the eastern South Atlantic since middle Miocene times.