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Organic Geochemistry

Gordon Research Conference

Linking Past and Recent Systems and Processes

August 3 - 8, 2014
Chair Erdem Idiz
Vice Chair Ann Pearson
Holderness School
33 Chapel Lane
Holderness, New Hampshire, United States
 Venue and Travel Information

Conference Description

The 2014 Gordon Research Conference on Organic Geochemistry will cover a wide spectrum of cutting-edge topics, with the theme being to integrate geochemical processes in the recent environment with those from the geologic record. Subjects will range from geobiology to paleoclimate to the energy-related fields. Speakers will present analytical, molecular, isotopic, theoretical, and other broadly-integrated research results on a variety of organic geochemical processes. This year, each session will focus on linking present-day processes with the ancient, bundling them into topics with the intent of capturing both recent (bio)geochemical and past processes (geological and petroleum related) in individual sessions. Presentations will be made by leading scientists from a diversity of related fields at the core and on the periphery of the discipline. As in previous years, there will be a session featuring talks selected from submitted abstracts that highlight the latest developments.

In addition, based on the resounding success of the inaugural Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Organic Geochemistry that preceded the 2012 Organic Geochemistry GRC, another GRS will be held. This is an excellent forum for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and young scientists in the early stages of their careers to share their research activities and challenges.

Related Meeting

This GRC will be held in conjunction with the "Organic Geochemistry" Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for the GRC. Refer to the associated GRS program page for more information.

Conference Program

SUNDAY
2:00 pm - 9:00 pmArrival and Check-in
6:00 pmDinner
7:30 pm - 7:40 pmWelcome / Introductory Comments by GRC Site Staff
7:40 pm - 9:30 pmIntegrated Perspectives in Organic Geochemistry
Discussion Leader: Darci Rush (Newcastle University)
7:40 pm - 7:50 pm Introductory Comments
7:50 pm - 8:35 pm Jaap Sinninghe Damsté (NIOZ)
"Organic Geochemistry: Where Do We Stand?"
8:35 pm - 8:45 pm Discussion
8:45 pm - 9:20 pm Lorenz Schwark (Kiel University)
"Orbitally Controlled Organofacies Variation in Posidonia Shale Sediments"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm Discussion
MONDAY
7:30 am - 8:30 amBreakfast
8:30 amGroup Photo
9:00 am - 12:30 pmMultiproxy Approaches to Paleo-Environmental Reconstruction: Bringing the Basin to the Core
Discussion Leader: Fang Lin (Chevron)
9:00 am - 9:05 am Introductory Comments
9:05 am - 9:35 am Andy Bishop (Shell Projects and Technology)
"Changes in Carbon Burial Pathways and Fluxes Across the Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary, Eagle Ford Formation, Texas"
9:35 am - 9:50 am Discussion
9:50 am - 10:20 am Alex Dickson (Oxford University)
"Integration of Organic and Inorganic Geochemical Approaches to Reconstructing Depositional Conditions: Application to the Early Eocene Tethys Ocean"
10:20 am - 10:35 am Discussion
10:35 am Coffee Break
11:00 am - 11:30 am Julio Sepulveda (MIT)
"Holding Your Breath: How Biomarkers Link Modern, Past and Future Ocean De-Oxygenation"
11:30 am - 11:45 am Discussion
11:45 am - 12:15 pm Sze Ling Ho (Alfred Wegener Institute)
"Quantifying Uncertainties in Multiproxy Temperature Records: Spatial Reproducibility from Glacial Cooling"
12:15 pm - 12:30 pm Discussion
12:30 pmLunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pmFree Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmPoster Session
6:00 pmDinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pmOrganic Carbon Burial and Preservation
Discussion Leader: Richard Pancost (Bristol University)
7:30 pm - 8:00 pm Sandra Arndt (Bristol University)
"Carbon Burial in the Arctic? The Last One at the Buffet - What Controls the Reactivity of Sedimentary Organic Matter Towards Microbial Degradation"
8:00 pm - 8:10 pm Discussion
8:10 pm - 8:40 pm Katja Meyer (Stanford University)
"Constraints on the Early Triassic Carbon Cycle Dynamics from Paired Organic and Inorganic Carbon Isotope Records"
8:40 pm - 8:50 pm Discussion
8:50 pm - 9:20 pm François Gelin (TOTAL)
"Variability of Source Rock Organic Matter Impact of the Observation Scale"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm Discussion
TUESDAY
7:30 am - 8:30 amBreakfast
9:00 am - 12:30 pmIsotopes: Beyond Carbon
Discussion Leader: Kate Freeman (Pennsylvania State University)
9:00 am - 9:05 am Introductory Comments
9:05 am - 9:35 am Rebecca Robinson (University of Rhode Island)
"Evaluation of Sedimentary Nitrogen Isotopes as a Proxy for Past Surface Ocean Conditions Using Laboratory, Modern Water Column, and Recent Sediment Data"
9:35 am - 9:50 am Discussion
9:50 am - 10:20 am Clay Magill (ETH Zurich)
"A Marriage of Convenience: Pairing Carbon and Hydrogen Isotope Values to Reconstruct (Eco)Hydrology"
10:20 am - 10:35 am Discussion
10:35 am Coffee Break
11:00 am - 11:30 am Alon Amrani (Hebrew University)
"Application of CSIA for the Study of TSR - Test Cases and Mechanisms"
11:30 pm - 11:45 am Discussion
11:45 am - 12:15 pm Daniel Stolper (Cal Tech)
"The Isotopic Anatomies of Natural Gas Components"
12:15 pm - 12:30 pm Discussion
12:30 pmLunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pmFree Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmPoster Session
6:00 pmDinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pmMacromolecules - Linking Kerogen to Biopolymers
Discussion Leader: Liz Kujawinski (WHOI)
7:30 pm - 8:00 pm Nicolaj Mahlstedt (Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam)
"Generics and Genetics - Linking Kerogen Structure with Petroleum"
8:00 pm - 8:10 pm Discussion
8:10 pm - 8:40 pm Amy Mckenna (Florida State University)
"Biodegradation at the Seafloor: Molecular Characterization of Natural Petroleum Seeps and Weathered Oil by Ultrahigh Resolution FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry"
8:40 pm - 8:50 pm Discussion
8:50 pm - 9:20 pm Norbert Hertkorn (Helmholtz Centrum Munich)
"A Discovery-Oriented View on the Evolution and Appearance of Organic Carbon in Deep Time"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm Discussion
WEDNESDAY
7:30 am - 8:30 amBreakfast
9:00 am - 12:30 pmAnalytical Advances
Discussion Leader: Erik Tegelaar (Shell International E&P)
9:00 am - 9:05 am Introductory Comments
9:05 am - 9:30 am Cliff Walters (ExxonMobil)
"Helium Ion Microscopy: A New Imaging Technique for Geologic and Microbial Applications"
9:30 am - 9:40 am Discussion
9:40 am - 10:05 am Lars Woermer (University of Bremen)
"Molecular Stratigraphy at Sub-Mm Resolution: Ng-Sized Samples Shed New Light on Fine-Scale Distributions of GDGTs in Marine Sediments"
10:05 am - 10:15 am Discussion
10:15 am Coffee Break
10:40 am - 11:05 am Ken Williford (University of Wisconsin)
"In Situ, Spatially Resolved Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis of Organic Matter with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry"
11:05 am - 11:15 am Discussion
11:15 am - 11:40 am Morgan Raven (Cal Tech)
"Multiple Timescales and Mechanisms of Organic Matter Sulfurization Revealed by Compound-Specific Sulfur-Isotope Analysis"
11:40 am - 11:50 am Discussion
11:50 am - 12:20 pm Bob Burruss (USGS)
"Chemically-Specific 3D Optical Imaging of Organic Matter in Source Rocks"
12:20 pm - 12:30 pm Discussion
12:30 pmLunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pmFree Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmPoster Session
6:00 pmDinner
7:00 pm - 7:30 pmBusiness Meeting
Nominations for the Next Vice Chair; Fill in Conference Evaluation Forms; Discuss Future Site and Scheduling Preferences; Election of the Next Vice Chair
7:30 pm - 9:30 pmGases on the Move / Dynamics of Hydrocarbon Gases
Discussion Leader: Michael Whiticar (University of Victoria)
7:30 pm - 8:00 pm Tom Darrah (Ohio State University)
"Noble Gases: A Novel Approach to Understanding Micro- to Macro-Scale Fluid Migration in Unconventional Fields"
8:00 pm - 8:10 pm Discussion
8:10 pm - 8:40 pm Barbara Tilley (University of Alberta)
"Causes and Implications of Gas Isotope Reversals in Petroleum Systems"
8:40 pm - 8:50 pm Discussion
8:50 pm - 9:20 pm Jessica Whiteside (Southampton University)
"Cycles Within Cycles Within Cycles: What Governs Methane Biogeochemistry in an Eocene Lake?"
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm Discussion
THURSDAY
7:30 am - 8:30 amBreakfast
9:00 am - 12:30 pmBiomarkers in Space and Time
Discussion Leader: John Volkman (CSIRO)
9:00 am - 9:05 am Introductory Comments
9:05 am - 9:35 am Kliti Grice (Curtin University)
"Mass Extinctions and Resurgence of Life Associated with Major Biogeochemical Cycles and the Deposition of Prolific Source Rocks"
9:35 am - 9:50 am Discussion
9:50 am - 10:20 am Kate French (MIT)
"Archean Biomarkers: Ancient or Not? A New Way Forward"
10:20 am - 10:35 am Discussion
10:35 am Coffee Break
11:00 am - 11:30 am Andrew Murray (Woodside Petroleum)
"Oil vs. Gas Prone Petroleum Systems: Using the Light Aromatics to Delineate the Source and Maturity Influences"
11:30 am - 11:45 am Discussion
11:45 am - 12:15 pm Gordon Love (UC Riverside)
"Towards a Better Understanding of Ancient Oceanic Communities and Paleoredox"
12:15 pm - 12:30 pm Discussion
12:30 pmLunch
1:30 pm - 4:00 pmFree Time
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmPoster Session
6:00 pmDinner
7:30 pm - 8:20 pmKeynote Lecture
Discussion Leader: Ann Pearson (Harvard University)
7:30 pm - 8:10 pm Joe Chappell (University of Kentucky)
"Capturing the Genetic Blueprints for Novel Triterpene Biosynthetic Pathways from the Ancient Algae Botryococcus and Deploying this Capacity into a Variety of Host Organisms"
8:10 pm - 8:30 pm Discussion
8:30 pm - 9:30 pmSelected Poster Presentations
To Be Selected from the GRS and GRC Poster Sessions
Discussion Leader: Ann Pearson (Harvard University)
8:30 pm - 8:45 pm Michael Wilde (Plymouth University)
"Structural Elucidation of Petroleum Acids as Their Hydrocarbon Equivalents: A New Method Based on a Historical Approach"
8:45 pm - 8:50 pm Discussion
8:50 pm - 9:05 pm Courtney Warren (Yale University)
"Archaea in Aquaria: Assessing Environmental and Phylogenetic Influences on TEX86"
9:05 pm - 9:10 pm Discussion
9:10 pm - 9:25 pm Nur Gueneli (Australian National University)
"Porphyrins and Carotenoid Derivatives from a 1.1 Ga Old Microbial Community"
9:25 pm - 9:30 pm Discussion
FRIDAY
7:30 am - 8:30 amBreakfast
9:00 amDeparture

Contributors

Conference Links

Conference History Organic Geochemistry (GRS)
Additional Fee Info

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