Geochemical Comparisons of Southern Australian Margin Asphaltites

Geochemical and carbon isotopic evidence compares asphaltites from the southern Australian margin with Albian-Cenomanian source rock analogues. The analysis includes biomarkers like C30 methylsteranes, C26 norsteranes, and metalloporphyrins, supporting a genetic link to the mid-Cretaceous Toolebuc Formation. This research was presented at the Eastern Australian Basins Symposium in 2001.

Use Cases

• Correlate asphaltite samples to specific source rock formations using carbon isotope signatures.
• Identify depositional environments (e.g., deep-water anoxic vs. shallow marine) via biomarker analysis of metalloporphyrins and sterane distributions.
• Compare organic matter composition between asphaltites and artificial pyrolysis products from source rock bitumens.

Strengths

• Analysis includes diverse geochemical signatures: carbon isotopes, C30 methylsteranes, C26 norsteranes, and metalloporphyrins.
• Compares samples from multiple geological formations (Blue Whale Supersequence, Toolebuc Formation, Tiger Supersequence).

Limitations

• Sample size and specific row/column counts are not provided.
• Data is based on a 2001 symposium article, potentially representing older analytical methods.
• Geographic coverage is limited to the southern Australian margin and specific onshore basins.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Geochemical and carbon isotopic comparison of asphaltite samples with source rock analogues.

Time Range

Focus on Early to Late Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) source rocks.

Freshness

null

Geography

Southern Australian margin, Bight Basin, Eromanga Basin.