Organic-rich sedimentary rocks

Organic-rich sedimentary rocks are a specific type of sedimentary rock that contains significant amounts (>3%) of organic carbon.[1] The most common types include coal, lignite, oil shale, or black shale. The organic material may be disseminated throughout the rock giving it a uniform dark color, and/or may be present as discrete occurrences of tar, bitumen, asphalt, petroleum, coal or carbonaceous material. Organic-rich sedimentary rocks may act as source rocks which generate hydrocarbons that accumulate in other sedimentary "reservoir" rocks (see oil sands and petroleum geology).

References

  1. ↑ Boggs, S., 2006, Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4th), Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 662 p.
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