Abstract
Branched aliphatic alkanes with quaternary substituted carbon atoms (BAQCs) were frequently identified in ancient sedimentary rocks, and modern sediments and deep sea waters. The BAQCs are considered to be originated from by bacteria and microalgae, but also to be formed by anthropogenic petroleum products as contamination of geological samples. In the present study, we analyzed the BAQCs in sedimentary rocks of the Mesoproterozoic Qaanaaq Formation in Greenland by GC-MS. We identified various BAQCs as aliphatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, we examined the sources of BAQCs, which are originated from the ancient microbial ecosystems or contamination from anthropogenic petroleum products.
