Source of 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene in asphaltenes from the Tarim Basin

1-Alkyl-2,3,6-trimethylbenzenes and a high relative amount of 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene (TTMB) have been previously detected in the marine oils and asphaltenes in the oils from the Tarim Basin. In the present study, the stable carbon isotopic compositions of TTMB and n-alkanes in the pyrolysates of asphaltenes in the marine oils from the northern Tarim Basin and Silurian tar sands from the Tarim Basin were determined. TTMB has stable carbon isotopic compositions in the range from −23‰ to −24‰ and are about 12‰ more enriched in 13C than concomitant n-alkanes (−35‰ to −37‰) in the pyrolysates. The results indicate a contribution from green sulfur bacteria (Chlorobiaceae) to TTMB. Thus, the depositional environments of the source rocks for the marine oils and the bitumen in tar sands from the Tarim Basin are characterized by periods of euxinic conditions within the photic zone.