14C ages of hydrothermal petroleum and carbonate in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California: Implications for oil generation, expulsion, and migration

Research Article| March 01, 1991 14C ages of hydrothermal petroleum and carbonate in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California: Implications for oil generation, expulsion, and migration J. M. Peter; J. M. Peter 1Marine Geology Research Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. Peltonen; P. Peltonen 1Marine Geology Research Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. D. Scott; S. D. Scott 1Marine Geology Research Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar B.R.T. Simoneit; B.R.T. Simoneit 2Petroleum Research Group, College of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar O. E. Kawka O. E. Kawka 2Petroleum Research Group, College of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1991) 19 (3): 253–256. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0253:CAOHPA>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. M. Peter, P. Peltonen, S. D. Scott, B.R.T. Simoneit, O. E. Kawka; 14C ages of hydrothermal petroleum and carbonate in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California: Implications for oil generation, expulsion, and migration. Geology 1991;; 19 (3): 253–256. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0253:CAOHPA>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract 14C dates have been obtained by accelerator mass spectrometry and by conventional techniques from hydrothermaliy derived petroleum, calcite, and vent water from the southern trough of Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California. The ages for petroleum range from 4240 to 5705 B.P., whereas those for calcite range from 7340 to 33,168 B.P. The CO2 in a sample of hydrothermal vent fluid (24% end member) yielded an apparent age of 14,820 B.P., which is within the calcite age range. These are not true ages, but rather they reflect the age of carbon within these materials. The data indicate that the conversion of sedimentary organic matter to petroleum occurs very rapidly and that the petroleum is mobilized from sedimentary organic matter in the upper 30 m of the sediment column (≤500 m thick) underlying the sea-floor deposits. The large difference in ages between the petroleum and most of the calcites indicates that the carbon source in the calcites is more complex. The inorganic carbon pool probably originates from the dissolution of older detrital carbonates and autochthonous biogenic carbonates in the shallow sediments, and/or the decarboxylation of organic matter at greater depth, with a magmatic component of dead carbon. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.