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Hydrocarbons and Lipids: An Introduction to Structure, Physicochemical Properties, and Natural Occurrence

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Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids: Diversity, Origin, Chemistry and Fate

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

Abstract

Hydrocarbons and lipids are among the most abundant organic compound classes in the biogeosphere. They are formed directly by living organisms as biosynthetic products or through geological transformation of biomass in sedimentary systems. This chapter provides an introduction to the structural diversity of hydrocarbons and lipids and their occurrence in natural environments. Besides saturated, unsaturated, and aromatic hydrocarbons, also selected types of functionalized organic compounds including lipids which play key roles in biogeochemical processes are presented. Important physicochemical parameters are discussed in relation to the structural characteristics of the presented compound classes. For each compound type, reactivity and important reaction types with a special focus on mechanisms relevant to biochemical transformations are presented.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Organic Geochemistry, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

    Heinz Wilkes & René Jarling

  2. Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, Energy and Mineral Resources Group (EMR), School of Geosciences, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Jan Schwarzbauer

Authors
  1. Heinz Wilkes
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  2. René Jarling
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  3. Jan Schwarzbauer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heinz Wilkes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. ICBM, Inst Chemistry, Biology Marine Env, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg ICBM, Inst Chemistry, Biology Marine Env, Oldenburg, Niedersachsen, Germany

    Heinz Wilkes

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Wilkes, H., Jarling, R., Schwarzbauer, J. (2020). Hydrocarbons and Lipids: An Introduction to Structure, Physicochemical Properties, and Natural Occurrence. In: Wilkes, H. (eds) Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids: Diversity, Origin, Chemistry and Fate. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54529-5_34-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54529-5_34-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-54529-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-54529-5

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