Conditions of Clay Pulp Formation in Mud Volcanoes of the Kerch–Taman Region Based the Data of Pyrolytic and Geochemical Studies

The pyrolytic characteristics of dispersed OM were determined in clay pulp samples taken from 23 mud volcanoes of the Kerch–Taman area (Crimean–Caucasian region). The organic matter (OM) belongs to type III kerogen, and its alteration level corresponds to the earliest stages of oil generation. It is also shown that, in terms of the pyrolytic characteristics, the OM carried out by volcanoes is almost a complete analog of the dispersed OM present in clays of the Maikop Group. However, in comparison with the clays, the mud-volcanic pulp has a higher content of bitumoids. Relationship between the kerogen parameter Т_max and some temperature-dependent characteristics of the water (t(Mg-Li) and δ¹⁸O in H₂O) and gas (δ¹³C in CH₄) phases of mud volcanic ejecta was found for the first time in the mud volcanic systems of the Kerch–Taman region. These relationships reflect the general variation trend of fluid systems with the formation temperature increase and indicate the formation of solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of mud-volcanic ejecta in a single deep mud-volcanic formation. However, no discernible OM contamination of clay pulp from the surrounding sediments or walls of the mud-volcanic channel was found.