Peters K.E., Walters C.C., Moldowan J.M. The Biomarker Guide: Volume 1, Biomarkers and Isotopes in the Environment and Human History

Cambridge University Press; 2 edition, 2007. — 492 p.
Biomarkers are compounds found in crude oil with structures inherited from once-living organisms. They persist in oil spills, refinery products and archaeological artifacts, and can be used to identify the origin, geological age and environmental conditions prevelant during their formation and alteration. The two volumes of the Biomarker Guide detail the origin of petroleum, technology for its analysis and key parameters for interpretation. It will be an invaluable resource for geologists, petroleum geochemists, biogeochemists, environmental and forensic scientists, natural product chemists and archaeologists.About the authorsPurpose
Acknowledgements
Origin and preservation of organic matter
Organic chemistry
Biochemistry of biomarkers
Geochemical screening
Refinery oil assays
Stable isotope ratios
Ancillary geochemical methods
Biomarker separation and analysis
Origin of petroleum
Biomarkers in the environment
Biomarkers in archaeology
Appendix: geologic time charts