A STUDY OF ORGANIC MATTER AND NATURAL GASES OF THE MIOCENE SEDIMENTS IN THE POLISH PART OF THE CARPATHIAN FOREDEEP

Abstract

Selected representative core and gas samples from the Miocene sediments of the Polish part of the Carpathian Foredeep were analyzed by means of geochemical methods. The results of elementary analyses, vitrinite reflectance and δ13C-values of organic matter, as well as the Rock-Eval® data and distribution of n-alkanes and isoprenoids, have shown that the organic matter is mainly of type III (terrestrial origin) and presents a feeble degree of maturation (beginning of oil window at 2000–3000-m depth interval, according to vitrinite reflectance). According to °13C-values, however, methane in these series results from biogenic processes.