Comparative analysis and geological significance of kerogen isolated using open-system (palynological) versus chemically and volumetrically conservative closed-system methods

This study focuses on a comparative analysis of kerogens isolated with the conventional open-system approach (HCl/HF/heavy liquid separation) and kerogens concentrated with a fully automated, conservative, closed-system method (HCl/HF/CrCl2) under an inert N2 atmosphere. Source-rock samples of various richness, kerogen types, ages, depositional environments, lithologies and thermal histories were selected for kerogen isolation using the two approaches. Kerogen recovery efficiency, progress of the processes and quality of the isolated kerogens were monitored via mass balance calculations, organic elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The inherent inadequacy in the open-system approach for geochemical research and the improved features of the chemically and volumetrically conservative method are documented.