Laser-induced fluorescence of macerals in relation to its hydrogen richness

On the basis of results from conventional elemental analyses and a unique technique (FAMM?; fluorescence alteration of multiple macerals), using a laser fluorescence microprobe, the fluorescence characteristics of various macerals are systematically related to hydrogen content. The amount of fluorescence from inertinite and vitrinite exponentially increases with HIC values. Although liptinite has high fluorescence and high HIC values, the relationship does not follow the same trend as defined for the other maceral groups. Because petroleum yields of a maceral mainly depend upon hydrogen richness, a correlation also exists between fluorescence, and gas to oil ratios from pyrolysis. Because individual organic entities are measured, the laser fluorescence microprobe has the benefit of accommodating heterogeneous organic matter in source rocks and enables determination of oil and gas yields of specific macerals.