PALEOGEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS OF FORMATION OF "CARBONATES OF SEEDING HYDROCARBONS" AS RESULTS OF STUDYING HERACLITES (SOUTHWESTERN CRIMEA)
The author established paleogeographic conditions for the formation of heraclites and proved their genetic relationship with modern and ancient carbonates of hydrocarbon seepage. The paleogeographic conditions of the formation of heraclites have been established and their genetic relationship with modern and ancient hydrocarbon seep- carbonate has been proved. Their formation took place at the bottom of the Paratethys ocean at the points of contact and interaction of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere (fluid bubbles) and biosphere. Indispensable conditions for the formation of heraclites are the presence of a consortium of prokaryotes and archaea for the production of organic matter and carbonate and the supply of hydrocarbons from the bowels. Heraclites are microbiolites formed by processing methane. They can be called Miocene methanolites. The variety of forms of carbonate fossils in heraclites confirms the species diversity of bacteria and archaea involved in the formation of structures.The presence of unoxidized petroleum products, the mineralogical composition, and the results of geochemistry confirm the high rates of formation of heraclite carbonate. Their growth depended on the influx of paleofluids, which were controlled by the non-tectonic movements of the Crimean Mountains. The composition of gases of paleofluids, the presence of oil products, mineralogy, data on the geochemical and isotopic composition of heraclites prove the deep nature of hydrocarbon paleodegassing in the Miocene.Rocks with inclusions of heraclites (Miocene methanolites) are witnesses of the processes of degassing of the Miocene, which continue in the bays and coastal eons of Sevastopol in our time.