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Kerogen

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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

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Definition

The kerogen is the macromolecular organic matter that is insoluble in organic solvents (soluble portion is known as bitumen). Kerogen is present in ancient sedimentary rocks and meteorites. It is composed of smaller molecules that have covalently bound together during synthesis (including biosynthesis), diagenesis, and thermal alteration processes. In sediments, kerogen is the fossil organic matter source of oil and natural gas. The degree of hydrogen loss and aromatization is often used as an indicator of thermal maturity. The degree of structural order versus disorder for aromatic sheets is a defining characteristic of different kerogens identifiable by Raman spectroscopy. Organic-walled fossils resistant to acid maceration (such as acritarchs, spores) are observed in some kerogens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Palaeobiogeology-Palaeobotany-Palaeopalynology, University of Liège, 17 allée du 6 Août B18 Sart-Tilman, Liège, 4000, Belgique

    Emmanuelle J. Javaux

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  1. Emmanuelle J. Javaux
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Correspondence to Emmanuelle J. Javaux .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  2. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  3. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

    William M. Irvine

  6. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Javaux, E.J. (2014). Kerogen. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_848-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_848-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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