Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their relationship to maturity and paleoenvironmental settings in lacustrine sediments of the Neogene Toplica Basin, Serbia

The study investigated the influence of maturity, biomass type, and depositional settings on distribution relative abundance polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for lacustrine sediments collected from depths up to 1000 m Prebreza ?u?ale stratigraphic units (the northwest part Toplica Basin). A recently proposed benzo[ghi]perylene/(perylene + benzo[ghi]perylene) parameter, along with commonly used Phenanthrene Alkylation Index benzo[e]pyrene/(perylene benzo[e]pyrene) indices, pointed out differences in maturity levels between by displaying a positive linear relationship vitrinite reflectance. However, several immature sediments, substantial presence algae and/or anoxic, mesosaline/hypersaline conditions were suitable forming ?-substituted methylphenanthrenes 6-ring benzo[ghi]perylene. Generally, high molecular weight unsubstituted PAHs (HMWPAHs), particularly perylene, predominated sediments. Anoxic appeared be decisive accumulating preserving perylene carbon skeleton studied units. Besides, more intense volcanism unit favored combustion processes, which prompted accumulation low (LMWPAHs), especially phenanthrene. general prevalence retene over cadalene alginite liptodetrinite predominated, implied as precursor. Selective degradation or hindered demethylation 9-methylphenanthrene under anoxic saline environmental had occurred notably unit, led formation 1-methylphenanthrene pimanthrene (1,7-dimethylphenanthrene). amounts macerals saturated diterpenoids predominant simonellite derived conifers. Non-degraded well-preserved Pinaceae conifers deposited semi-arid climatic conditions, whereas mixed degraded/non-degraded characterized wide range semi-humid.