Optimum conditions were selected for chromatographic separation of model mixtures of C12-C40 n-alkanes. For one of samples of hydrothermal deposits extraction conditions of hydrocarbons were studied and a sample preparation procedure was selected. The procedure was proposed to determine n-alkanes in samples of hydrothermal deposits by means of gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Detection limit for n-alkanes was 3x10-9 to 10-8% depending on components. On the basis of the proposed procedure composition of n-alkanes was studied in samples of hydrothermal deposits collected at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Broken Spur, Lost City, and Rainbow hydrothermal fields). Analyses showed that samples contained C14-C35 n-alkanes. Concentrations of the n-alkanes were rather low and varied from 0.002 to 0.038 µg/g. Hypotheses concerning genesis of identified n-alkanes were offered.

Supplement to: Shulga, N A; Peresypkin, Valery I; Revelskii, I A (2010): Composition research of n-alkanes in the samples of hydrothermal deposits of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge by means of gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Translated from Okeanologiya, 2010, 50(4), 515-523, Oceanology, 50(4), 479-487