USE OF STABLE CARBON ISOTOPE IN CHARACTERIZATION OF TAR SAND DEPOSIT IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
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Date
2010
Authors
Akinmosin, A
Osinowo, O.O
Adio, N.A
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation
Abstract
Carbon isotope abundance of the saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon
components of the tar sand deposit in parts of southwest Nigeria was measured. A
total of eighteen seepage samples were collected from different localities in which the
tar sands outcrop. The isotopic data together with chemical composition, physical
characteristics, and geological information were used to investigate the relationships
between various exposures, their source, as well as environment of deposition.The
stable isotope values obtained fall into two categories of heavy (>-24‰) and light (<-26
to -30‰) groups. The bituminous sands are enriched in 13C in both saturates and
aromatic hydrocarbons (-28.7 to -24.1‰ saturates; -27.53 to -23.59‰ aromatics). A
plot of the 13C values of saturates against the aromatics reveals that the bitumen
content was generated from marine organic matter. The negative trend in the 13C
values also gives a significant indication that the source rock was deposited during a
regressive episode.The API Gravity values at different localities range from 150
– 200, indicating that the bitumen is a product of moderate biodegradation of conventional
crude oil.
Description
Keywords
Stable isotope , biodegradation , tar sands , bitumen , environment
Citation
Akinmosin, A., Osinowo, O. O., & Adio, N. A. (2010). USE OF STABLE CARBON ISOTOPE IN CHARACTERIZATION OF TAR SAND DEPOSIT IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA. Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5(4).