title: Isoprenoid Hydrocarbons in Recent Sediments: Presence of Pristane and Probable Absence of Phytane.
abstract: Pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) has been isolated from two recent marine sediments. Unlike their ancient counterparts, these sediments contain no detectable phytane. These two facts suggest a biochemical origin for at least a fraction of the sedimentary pristane and a later, geochemical formation of phytane. Commercial reagent-grade solvents (pentane, isooctane, methanol) contain appreciable quantities of fossil pristane and probably phytane.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blumer
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Snyder