As part of an ongoing program of organic geochemical studies of sediments recovered by the Deep Sea Drilling Project, we have analyzed the types, amounts, and thermal alteration indices of organic matter collected from the Pacific continental margin of southern Mexico on Leg 66. The samples were pieces of core frozen aboard ship. Some of them were analyzed by pyrolysis, heavy C15+ hydrocarbons, and nonhydrocarbons to help determine their origin and hydrocarbon potential. Our main objectives were to find out how much organic matter was being deposited; to establish whether it derived from marine or terrestrial sources; to determine the controls of deposition of organic matter; to estimate the hydrocarbon potential of the drilled section; and to compare and contrast organic sedimentation here with that on other margins.

Supplement to: Summerhayes, Colin P; Gilbert, Deborah (1982): Distribution, origin, and hydrocarbon-potential of organic matter in sediments from the Pacific Margin of Southern Mexico. In: Watkins, JS; Casey Moore, J; et al. (eds.), Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project (U.S. Govt. Printing Office), 66, 541-546