Kerogen

Kerogen


Kerogen is defined as sedimentary organic matter that is insoluble in water, alkali, non-oxidizing acids, and organic solvents (such as benzene/methanol, toluene, methylene chloride).

It is usually accompanied by a smaller fraction of soluble organic matter, called bitumen.

Kerogen, an inhomogeneous macromolecular aggregate, constitutes 90% or more of organic matter in sedimentary rocks.
It is interesting that kerogen is by far the most abundant form of organic carbon on Earth


Kerogen that is rich in aliphatic compounds, generally derived from aquatic and marine algae, has good petroleum potential and is called sapropelic kerogen.

Kerogen derived principally from the remains of higher plants is rich in aromatic compounds, sometimes called humic kerogen, has poor petroleum potential.

Carbon and hydrogen are the main constituents of kerogen. Hydrogen concentrations range from 5 to 18% (atomic), depending on type and degree of evolution. Oxygen concentrations typically range from 0.25 to 3%, again depending on type and degree of evolution. Besides C, H and O, kerogen typically contains 1-3% N and 0.25-1.5% S