In consideration of the radiation effects on the origin of petroleum, the writers irradiated with γ-ray on Cu chlorophyrin Na salt, which is a primary derivative of chlorophyll(a source material of petroleum).
The results are discussed from geochemical point of view. Desaltization of Cu chlorophyrin Na salt by γ-ray irradiation is the first order reaction of radiation dose. A portion of Cu chlorophyrin Na salt transferred to pheoporphyrin, pheocrythrin and a similar of chlorin. Gaseous products consisting of hydrogen, methane, ethylene, ethane, propane and carbondioxide are obtained. The presence of rocks and water has an influence on radiolysis, and the effects are more pronunced than those obtained during irradiation in bulk.
From these experimental results, the writers suggest that natural radioactivity from minerals in sedimentary rocks might play an important role for the formation of petroleum.