Xing Wang

The carbon isotopic behavior of hopane compounds during thermal maturation remains ambiguous due to limitations in current detection techniques. In this study, a low-maturity lacustrine shale sample was pyrolyzed in a hydrous semi-open pyrolysis system. The hopane compounds from the artificially matured samples (R_o = 0.72–1.28%) have been separated and enriched for the test of their carbon isotopes (δ¹³C). The results show that thermal maturity can somewhat affect the carbon isotopes of monomeric hopane compounds, with a maximum difference value over 21‰. However, thermal maturity has different effects on the δ¹³C values for different monomeric hopane compounds. For example, the carbon isotopic values of 22S-homohopane at different thermal stages can vary up to 21‰, while only 3‰ for C₂₉βα. In addition, the carbon isotopes of different monomeric hopane compounds show distinct evolution trends. For C₂₉αβ and C₂₉ Ts, their carbon isotopes first become slightly heavier and then become lighter, reaching the lightest value at 350 °C. When the pyrolysis temperature continues to increase, the δ¹³C values become heavier and finally become lighter. However, the δ¹³C values of Ts, Tm, 22S-homohopane, and 22R-homohopane show a completely reversed trend. They initially become slightly lighter and then become heavier, reaching the maximum value at 350 °C. When the pyrolysis temperature continues to increase, the δ¹³C values become lighter and finally become heavier. Meanwhile, the carbon isotopes of C₂₉βα, C₃₀αβ, C₃₀βα, and non-hopane gammacerane almost remain constant at different thermal stages. When the carbon isotopes of hopane compounds are used in the studies of oil–source correlation, it is prudent to consider the effects of thermal maturity on these values.