A complete analysis of oils and their fractions allows correlations to be defined between their composition and derivatives or related geological materials. This work focused on optimization and implementation of a method for separation and quantification of n-alkanes in Brazilian oil samples by urea adduction and GC-FID techniques. Ten samples with different ºAPI were analyzed in triplicate to quantify individual n-alkanes and cyclic/branched alkane fraction. For individual quantification of n-alkanes, internal standardization with deuterated n-tetracosane was used. The use of urea adduction for the separation and quantification of n-alkanes was highly effective, with recovery values of above 80%.

Aromatic compounds are still poorly evaluated in geochemical studies of Brazilian oil samples. For this reason, the objective of this work was to analyze and evaluate 26 oil samples from four Brazilian sedimentary basins. Aromatic hydrocarbon fractions have been analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results were also compared with previously evaluated saturated hydrocarbon data. Maturation parameters obtained using the 4- and 1-methyl-dibenzothiophenes and trimethyl-dibenzothiophenes led to the best results because a better grouping was observed. For this correlation, the samples were grouped by maturity degree enabling the routine use of these parameters to evaluate oil maturity levels.

The terpenoid composition of seven amber samples from Araripe Basin (Santana Formation, Crato Member) has been analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine their botanical origin. The diterpenoids, which have been identified in the fossil resin extracts are derived primarily from the abietane class, e.g., dehydroabietane, 4-epidehydroabietol, 16,17,18-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-triene, 7-oxo-16,17,19-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-trieno, dehydroabietic acid, ferruginol, hinokiol and hinokione. Their composition is certainly typical for conifers, and angiosperms can be excluded as the botanical source, as no triterpene was identified. The terpenoid characteristics strongly support a relationship to the Araucariaceae or Podocarpaceae families. In addition, the fossil record of the embedding sediments (pollen and fossil leaves) also supports the proposal of these paleobotanical origins for the ambers.

Asphaltenes from two Brazilian crude oils were submitted to mild oxidation to disrupt their structure, releasing the occluded oil. The released hydrocarbons were compared with those from the original crude oil, and used to evaluate the alteration of the oils, especially as a result of biodegradation, but also thermal maturity. The crude oils used are depleted in n-alkanes, which are usually related to biodegradation. However, the released products from the corresponding asphaltenes have n-alkane distributions from nC10 to nC40, suggesting a protection effect from biodegradation. The m/z 191 mass chromatograms showed higher relative intensities for tricyclic terpanes than the hopanes in the crude in comparison with the released ones.

Traditional biomarker parameters and aromatic compounds were applied to characterize and classify ten Cuban asphaltites (asphaltene-rich petroleum occurring as seeps or filling veins, joints, cavities and fissures). Genetic molecular parameters were compared in order to establish oil-oil correlations between samples. Thermal evolution was investigated using saturated biomarker and aromatic maturity parameters. All samples seem to represent petroleum in the early catagenetic stage. Statistical procedures used as auxiliary techniques show that they represent oils of Family II (marine anoxic carbonate sourced oils), except for 2 samples interpreted as belonging to Family III oils (normal marine siliciclastic suboxic sourced oils).

Hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) foram identificados e quantificados em amostras de água e sedimento em 12 pontos da Baía de Guanabara. As amostras foram analisadas por CG-EM para verificar o grau de contaminação através do monitoramento do ecossistema afetado após o derramamento de óleo que ocorreu em 18 de janeiro de 2000. As concentrações totais de HPAs encontradas nas amostras de sedimento apresentaram valores na faixa de 77 a 7751 µg kg-1 em peso seco e de não detectado a 1592 ng L-1 em amostras de água. A maioria das amostras de sedimento foi classificada como altamente contaminada (HPA > 500 µg kg-1) enquanto a concentração nas amostras de água não apresentou valores suficientemente alto para causar alguma toxidez aos organismos aquáticos. A concentração de HPAs na Baía de Guanabara, quando comparada com outras regiões costeiras, está relativamente alta. Foi utilizada a razão entre HPAs de baixa massa molar/alta massa molar (BMM/AMM), fenantreno/antraceno e benzo[a]antraceno/criseno como indicadores da origem dos HPAs, os quais demonstraram que a grande parte da contaminação da Baía de Guanabara é derivada da queima de combustíveis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and quantified in sediment and water samples from 12 sites in the north-northeast region of the Guanabara Bay. The samples were analyzed by GC-MS to assess the degree of contamination by monitoring the affected ecosystem after an oil spill that occurred in January 18, 2000. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 77 to 7,751 µg kg-1 dry weight in surficial sediment samples and from not detected to 1592 ng L-1 in water samples. The majority of sediment samples were classified as highly contaminated (total PAH > 500 µg kg-1) while for water samples the concentration of PAHs was not sufficiently high to induce acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. In comparison with other coastal areas, PAH concentrations in Guanabara Bay are relatively high. The ratios of low molecular weight/high molecular weight (LMW/HMW) PAHs, phenanthrene/anthracene and benzo[a]anthracene/chrysene, are sensitive indicators of the origin of PAH pollution, which have shown to be mostly from fuel combustion in the Guanabara Bay.

Foram investigados os efeitos de ácido indol acético (11,42 µmol L-1) e benzilaminopurina (8,87 µmol L-1) sobre o crescimento e composição do óleo essencial de plantas in vitro de Melissa officinalis. Plantas desenvolvidas em meio de Murashige e Skoog (MS) apresentaram o incremento de 1,4 vezes na proporção de nerol e de 4,1vezes de geraniol, quando comparadas às plantas ex vitro. Tratamentos com 11,42 µmol L-1 de ácido indol acético mais 8,87 µmol L-1 de benzilaminopurina resultaram em aumentos de 1,7 e 2,2 vezes na proporção de nerol e geraniol, respectivamente, em plantas de 60 dias. Estes aumentos podem estar associados à ação dos reguladores de crescimento, por estimularem o desenvolvimento vegetal (na organogênese e alongamento de brotos) e retardarem a oxidação de álcoois em aldeídos.

It was investigated the effects of indole-3-acetic acid (11.42 µmol L-1), benzylaminopurine (8.87 µmol L-1) on essential oil composition and on the growth of Melissa officinalis in vitro plants. In vitro plantlets developed on MS media, showed 1.4 times in the proportion of nerol and 4.1 of geraniol, when compared with ex vitro plants. Treatments with 11.42 µmol L-1 indole-3-acetic acid plus 8.87 µmol L-1 benzylaminopurine led to 1.7 and 2.2 fold in proportion of nerol and geraniol, respectively in 60-day-old whole plants. These increases might be associated with the action of growth regulators wich stimulate plant growth (shoot organogenesis and elongation) and delaying the alcohol oxidation to aldehydes.