Biomarker Identification in a Latex Fossil

Partially coalified, structurally intact latex fibers found in a low rank coal were characterized by analytical methods. The latex fibers have a high sulfur content of approximately 10 percent. It has been proposed in previous studies, and it appears to be the case here, that the latex material has been “naturally” vulcanized during the early diagenetic period. Two fossilized latex samples recovered from different locations within the Geisaltal brown coal deposit in Germany were characterized, and the same major compounds were found in both samples with slightly varying concentrations. Pyridine extracts of the samples were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (CGC), combined capillary gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), and low voltage high resolution mass spectrometry (LVHRMS). Twelve amyrin and hopanoid bio-marker derivatives were tentatively identified in the extract by comparing the Kovats retention indices, experimental mass spectra, and order of elution with those in the literature. Kovats retention indices for the 12 compounds are reported. Three identifications were verified by co-chromatography with authentic standards. The amyrin derivatives are indicative of all rubber plants, while the appearance of hopanoid derivatives lends support to the role of microorganisms in diagenesis.