BMF 36 - C30 Hopanes

Beside Norhopanes (C29, see BMF 7) C30 hopanes are the most common hopanes of sedimentary matter. The origin of the hopanes is the most abundant hopanoid in prokaryotes, C35 tetrahydroxybacteriohopane.

Hopanes play an important role in geochemical investigations, and are diagnostic biomarker indicators and useful as proof of the origin in oil spill analysis, oil waste analysis and analysis of airborne particulates. They contribute to the so-called terpane fingerprint and are commonly used to relate oils with source rocks.

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