Organic Geochemistry and Gas Geochemistry

Microscopic image of an algae from a sedimentary rock and the chromatographic and mass spectrometric identification of a biomarker Source: BGR

All substances that are mainly composed of the element carbon are called organic substances. Organic geochemistry is generally concerned with the origin, properties and fate of organic matter. The focus of interest at the BGR is the understanding of natural processes, e.g. transport processes and geochemical cycles of organic compounds or organic matter-fluid-rock interactions in the underground. Organic substances are used both as energy sources in the form of coal, natural gas and crude oil and as raw materials for many products of modern technologies.

At the BGR, geochemists work on organic geochemical issues in two main areas: Organic geochemistry and petrography on the one hand and gas geochemistry and isotope geochemistry on the other.

In addition, organic geochemical methods are also used in research work on other topics of the BGR (e.g. CO₂ and H₂ storage, polar research and final disposal of radioactive waste).

Links to recent BGR projects:

• Chemical reactions of organic matter in nuclear waste host rocks
• CLSM (Spectral fluorescence) to derive thermal maturity in marine siltstone and claystone
• Geochemistry of petroleum from Germany
• Methane Background Levels in Groundwaters of Lower Saxony
• CASE