Origin of organic sulfur compounds in sediments from the Nordlinger Ries (Southern Germany)

The origin of organic sulfur compounds (OSC) in Nordlinger Ries sediments ( Southern Germany) is determined. A detailed characterization of OSC in the 'aromatic hydrocarbon' and 'neutral polar' fractions of three of the most s ulfur-rich sediments from the Nordlinger Ries is presented. The results con firm that the distribution of cyclic sulfides is completely different from that of n-alkanes originally present and thereby provide further evidence f or an early diagenetic sulfur incorporation into functionalized lipids. The formation of all sulfur compounds described in this study was explained by reaction of inorganic sulfur species with a double bond or an alcohol grou p. Ketones, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids appear to be less effective. Th is was concluded from the absence of terminal thiophenes in the C-37/C-38 s eries and the abundance of oxygenated functionalized precursors to which no sulfur analogs have been detected. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.