Algae, mainly comprising Galaxaura oblongata and Sarqassum sp., were collected somewhere at the San Ya intertidal zone in the Hainan Island, South China. The experiments involved the thermal alteration of algae heated for 100 hours under approximately 500 or 1000 atm. and at different temperatures (150°, 200°…450℃), and the thermal alteration of algae proportionally (1:1) mixed with inorganie minerals, such as calcite or montomorillonite heated at 250℃ and under normal atmosphere for 100 hours. The experimental products of thermal alteration were determined by infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography elemental analysis and electron spinning resonance. In the experimental sequence of thermal alteration under appromixately 500 atm. and at different temperatures, there appeared two sharp variations in the determined data on soluble and insoluble matter in the thermal alteration products approximately at 200°and 350℃. Soluble matter in the thermal alteration products at the temperature bctween 200° and 350℃ shows some similarities to some crude oils in nature. The results may indicate that high pressure is in favour,of the transformation of organic matter in algae into hydrocarbons. The experimental data have further proved that ealcium carbonate is less active than montomorillonite in promoting the maturation of organic matter,
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