Organics
119
remove sterols; and at 175 °c for 12, 18, 24 and 48 h, after which extraction was
performed. Heating the sediment increased the amounts of extractable sterols provided that the temperature did not exceed 200 °c, because degradation became rapid
above that temperature. The behaviour of sterol ketones was similar, but the temperature limit was slightly higher. The various levels of the sterols extracted are tabulated;
4-methylsterols had a high stability towards thermal degradation under the conditions used.
119
remove sterols; and at 175 °c for 12, 18, 24 and 48 h, after which extraction was
performed. Heating the sediment increased the amounts of extractable sterols provided that the temperature did not exceed 200 °c, because degradation became rapid
above that temperature. The behaviour of sterol ketones was similar, but the temperature limit was slightly higher. The various levels of the sterols extracted are tabulated;
4-methylsterols had a high stability towards thermal degradation under the conditions used.