terrestrial organics: vascular plants: “humic”; cellulose, lignin, carbohydrates marine/lacustrine organics: phytoplankton, zooplankton; “sapropel”; fats, resinous, waxy
Peat Lignite Sub-bituminous Bituminous Anthracite Graphite H2OH2O H:C ratio Methane evolved 80 o C 50 o C 20 o C 160 o C 240 o C Coal Rank
terrestrial organics: vascular plants marine organics: phytoplankton, zooplankton
marine organic matter kerogen petroleum liquids methane evolved 120 o C (decarbox- lyation) asphalt, bitumen H:C ratio 60 o C 20 o C 90 o C 200 o C carbon dioxide evolved km buried
“oil shale” - kerogen
alkanes – paraffin, straight – chain hydrocarbons
aromatics – more soluble in water, smelly, toxic
cycloparaffins