Experimental kinetic study of organic matter maturation: an appraisal of pressure, temperature and time effects on reflectance and Raman properties of vitrinite.

• Applicant: Dr. Ronan Le Bayon
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2006 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 31374456

Some of the aims of metamorphic organic petrology are to determine the P¿T evolution and the degree of organic matter (OM) maturity of low-grade metamorphic terranes. In such terranes, it is very difficult to study metamorphism because low temperature conditions lead to sluggish reactions. In low-grade metasediments, the presence of gradually matured OM like vitrinite gives us a chance to understand their metamorphic and geodynamic evolution by determining their P¿T conditions, and to aid for hydrocarbon prospecting by predicting their degree of maturity. Vitrinite reflectance measurement in host rocks is recognized as a powerful direct proxy available to organic petrology for temperature. However, clarifications regarding the effect of time and in particular the total pressure on the evolution of reflectance and Raman properties of vitrinite are still crucial for scientific and economic interpretation. The main goal of this study is to understand and estimate the influences of P, T and t on reflectance and Raman properties of vitrinite. We will base our analysis on systematic artificial maturation of OM carried out with piston-cylinder apparatus at different P, T and run lengths. Qualitative and quantitative evolution of reflectance and Raman properties of vitrinite as a function of P, T and t will be derived and empirical rate equations will be formulated. They will be useful tools for elucidating the P¿T¿t conditions of the vitrinite-bearing terranes to gain insight into their geodynamic evolutions and for improving hydrocarbon generation modelling software.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Rafael Ferreiro Mählmann