Molecular characterization of fossil palynomorphs by transmission micro-FTIR spectroscopy: Implications for hydrocarbon source evaluation

• Micro-FTIR spectroscopy has been conducted to reveal the chemistry of different palynomorphs.
• Micro-FTIR is a fast method which can be successfully applied even on a single specimen.
• This method is useful to evaluate hydrocarbon source potential of different palynomporph groups.
• In combination with morphological studies this method can be used to classify palynomorp groups.

Transmission micro-FTIR spectroscopy has been conducted to elucidate the macromolecular structure of well-preserved fossil palynomorphs including prasinophycean algae, megaspores, chitinozoans, and scolecodonts. Plant and arthropod cuticles which may be present in palynological residues have also been investigated. Important differences are noted among these palynomorph groups regarding the intensities of CHx, CO and aromatic CC absorptions. Tasmanites, Leiosphaeridia, and plant cuticles are characterized by stronger aliphatic CHx stretching (3000–2800 cm− 1), strong CH3 (1460–1450 cm− 1), and intense CO group (1710–1700 cm− 1) absorptions. Aromatic CC stretching (1610–1560 cm− 1) absorptions are less intense and aromatic CH out of plane (900–750 cm− 1) absorptions are absent. In contrast, chitinozoans, scolecodonts, and arthropod cuticles show intense aromatic CC stretching (1620–1560 cm− 1) and aromatic CH out of plane (900–750 cm− 1) absorptions. Aliphatic CHx stretching (3000–2800 cm− 1) and CO group (1710–1700 cm− 1) absorptions are less intense. Megaspores are characterized by stronger aliphatic CHx stretching (3000–2800 cm− 1), strong CH3 (1460–1450 cm− 1), and moderate aromatic CC stretching (1610–1560 cm− 1) and CO group (1710–1700 cm− 1) absorptions. The CH2/CH3 intensity ratio has been used to assess the relative chain length and degree of branching. The aliphatic components in Tasmanites, Leiosphaeridia, and plant cuticles are longest chained and least branched whereas those in chitinozoans, scolecodonts, and arthropod cuticles are shortest chained and most branched. Megaspores show intermediate CH2/CH3 ratio. The present study demonstrates that palynomorphs differ in functional group chemistry and this spectroscopic technique can be useful to assign biological affinity of enigmatic palynomorphs. Furthermore, micro-FTIR spectroscopy provides insights into the hydrocarbon generating potential of different fossil palynomorph groups.