The distributions of carboxylic acids generated by mild Na2Cr2O7/AcOH oxidation of sulphur-rich kerogens from the Nordlinger Ries, southern Germany, were studied by gas chromatography and combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Major oxidation products were saturated normal monocarboxylic acids (C-8-C-31). saturated normal alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids (C-8-C-29), and isoprenoid acids (C-14-C-21, except C-18) Less dominant were iso-and anteiso-acids (C-11-C-18), oxo-acids (mainly 10-oxo-n-octadecanoic acid), n-monoenoic acids (C-16:1 and C-18:1). series of 3 beta-carboxysteroids, hopanoic acids, isoprenoid and steroid ketones, maleimides (1H-pyrrole-2,5-diones). and aromatic acids. The lipid composition of the kerogens is consistent with a major contribution from planktonic and microbial organisms in samples from NR-10, and mixed autochthonous and allochthonous sources in samples from well NR-30 located closer to the rim of the basin. Furthermore, the data indicate a predominantly open-chain cross-linked structure for the Nordlinger Ries kerogens and point toward a mild thermal history for these samples. The results further confirm the presence of tetrapyrrole pigments which are most likely entrapped in the molecular sieve-type network of kerogens.