Abiogenic Hydrocarbon's Emission in the Modern Rift Zone, Iceland

Abstract

The results presented in this paper are based on the study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content and distribution in volcanic and sedimentary deposits. The rock and sedimentary samples were collected from different parts of the Miocene-Pliocene lava piles and from geothermal fields in the modern rift zone. Hot and cold groundwater was collected from springs and from well's discharge. In special constructions (traps) containing diatomite as an adsorbent there were collected hydrocarbons from fumarole steam and gas emission in geothermal fields. To identify and measure PAHs the fluorescence spectra of hydrocarbon solutions in n-hexane were compared with those of standard solution SRM 1491 (mixture of 23 PAH) at nitrogen boiling temperature (77K). Data giving an evidence of hydrocarbon emission were obtained for some active geothermal regions of Iceland. Several types of natural polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon associations have been determined.