Distribution of carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios in organic sediments and gases

Carbon and hydrogen isotope composition of humic coals, sapropelic and bituminous sediments, crude oils, and methane from natural gases, from coal gases and from gases produced by pyrolysis of humic coals, kukersite and boghead coal were determined. In a deltaD-delta13C plot the individual groups of substances are clearly demarcated from each other. For methane from the analysed natural gases a good correlation exists: deltaD =5.3 delta13C + 6. The hydrogen isotope values of humic coals were compared with the production of gases during the coalification process. (author)