Saturated hydrocarbons in the background and contaminated soils of the cisurals

A homologous series of n -alkanes (C 20 –C 35 ) was identified in peaty-podzolic-gleyic soils. Structures with odd numbers of carbon atoms (C 25 –C 35 ) were predominant in the soil organic matter. It was found that the major amount of both odd and even n -alkanes was accumulated in the peaty litter. In the mineral horizons, the mass fraction of the odd n -alkanes abruptly decreased to become comparable to that of the even n -alkanes in the soil-forming rock.