Organic geochemical characteristics and depositional environments of Eocene deposits in the Eastern Black Sea Region, NE Turkey

Abstract

The type of organic material, thermal maturity, depositional environment, and source rock potential of Eocene-aged clastic rocks of the Eastern Black Sea Region were investigated. Based on total organic carbon (TOC) values, clastic rocks ranged from poor to good source rocks. The samples contained a mixture of Type I to Type III kerogens. Based on Tmax values, Eocene-aged clastic rocks were thermally mature. The moretane/hopane ratio of samples was <0.15, 22S/(22S + 22R) homohopane (C32) and 20S/(20S + 20R). Sterane (C29) maturity parameters were equal or very close to the equilibrium value of oil generation. The deposition environment was transitional marine environment, and clastic rocks did not have the potential to form hydrocarbon.