Discovery of mature thermogenic hydrocarbons in ferromanganese nodules from the Gulf of Cadiz: a new tool for oil and gas exploration

Abstract

Ferromanganese nodules were firstly collected during the Tasyo Project cruises from mudcarbonate mounds and mud volcanoes at the Guadalquivir Diapiric Ridge (Central Eastern Atlantic). The mineralogical and geochemical studies have revealed their genesis, linked to the anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons and organic matter via bio-mineralization processe