A new analytical method for quantifying of sterane and hopane biomarkers

An analytical method for quantifying biomarker compounds of the sterane and the hopane existing in saturated hydrocarbons has been established by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC×GC-FID) with optimized operating parameters. The new method achieves the quantification by using a GC×GC-FID system which is able to completely separate steranes from hopanes. The data obtained by the new method are of good repeatability and reliability. Compared with the original data, the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 12 reference compounds are less than 5%. The RSDs of the quantitative results of the biomarkers based on seven separate analyses are also less than 5%. Compared with the traditional method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the new method has a number of advantages, such as common internal standards (ISs), high resolution, no co-eluting peak, and no interference caused by diagnostic ion peaks. The new method provides petroleum geologists with an effective and scientific means in future researches.