Information AboutKerogen |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT KEROGEN | |
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| petroleum products | |
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Kerogens are the precursors to Hydrocarbon s ( Fossil Fuel s), and are also the material that forms Oil Shales . TYPES ''Labile'' kerogen breaks down to form heavy hydrocarbons (i.e. oils), ''refractory'' kerogen breaks down to form light hydrocarbons (i.e. gases) and ''inert'' kerogen forms Graphite . A Van Krevelen Diagram is one example of classifying kerogens, where they tend to form groups when the ratios of hydrogen to carbon and oxygen to carbon are compared. Type I
Type II
They all have great tendencies to produce petroleum and are all formed from lipids deposited under reducing conditions. Type II-Sulfur
Type III
Kerogen Type III is formed from terrestrial plant matter that is lacking in Lipid s or waxy matter. It forms from Cellulose , the carbohydrate polymer that forms the rigid structure of terrestrial plants, Lignin , another carbohydrate polymer (polysaccharide) that binds the strings of cellulose together, and Terpene s and Phenol ic compounds in the plant. Most of the biomass that eventually becomes Petroleum is contributed by the bacteria and protists that decompose the primary matter, not the primary matter itself. However, the lignin in this kerogen decomposes to form phenolic compounds that are toxic to bacteria and protists. Without this extra input, it will only become Methane and/or Coal . Type IV (residue)
Type IV kerogen contains mostly decomposed organic matter in the form of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon s. They have no potential to produce hydrocarbons. ORIGIN OF MATERIAL Terrestrial material The type of material is difficult to determine but several apparent patterns have been noticed.
Extraterrestrial material
EXTERNAL LINKS See also: Petroleum Geology . |
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