A relationship between hydrocarbons and their magnetic signatures has previously been alluded to
but this is the first study to combine extensive geochemical and magnetic data of hydrocarbon-associated
samples. A detailed study is reported that identifies a definitive connection between
magnetic mineralogy and oil biodegradation within samples from Colombia, Canada, Indonesia and
the UK.
Geochemical data revealed that all the oil samples were derived from mature type-II kerogen
deposited in oxygen-poor environments allowing for an investigation into biodegradation.
Biodegradation is the decrease of oil quality through the conversion of aliphatic hydrocarbons to
polar constituents through the activity of bacteria. The percentage of oil components and the
biodegradation state of the samples were compared to the magnetic susceptibility and magnetic
mineralogy. A distinct decrease in magnetic susceptibility was correlated to decreasing oil quality
as well as extractable organic matter percentages, which cannot be rejected at 99% confidence.
Further magnetic characterisation revealed that the high quality oils were dominated by pseudo-single
domain grains of magnetite and the lower quality oils by larger pseudo-single domain to
multi domain grains of magnetite and hematite; with decreasing oil quality there is a progressive
dominance of multi domain magnetite as well as the appearance of hematite. It is concluded that
biodegradation is a dual process, firstly, removing aliphatic hydrocarbons reducing oil quality and
secondly, both creating and destroying magnetic signatures. This complex relationship may explain
why controversy existed in the past when studying hydrocarbon associated anomalies.
Remagnetisation due to hydrocarbon infiltration is also reported within the Wessex Basin, UK.
Palaeodirectional data from Mupe Bay revealed oil migration was initiated in the Early Cretaceous
and a two-phase staining model is correct. These findings reinforce the importance of bacteria
within petroleum systems as well as providing a platform for the use of magnetisation as a
hydrocarbon proxy.