Geomarkers

Geomarkers are chemical compounds that are used as indicators of environmental pollution .

In contrast to biomarkers, it is not possible to infer the biological starting molecule with geomarkers . However, with geomarkers one can make statements about the deposition conditions of a sediment or its depth and temperature stress.

A typical geomarker is, for example, phenanthrene with a wide variety of methyl substitutions . The methylphenanthrene index (MPI) can then be derived from this, which enables statements to be made about the maturity of crude oil .