The organic matter constituents are listed below :
(a) Protein (up to 50% or more)
(b) Lipids (5 to 25%)
(c) Carbohydrates (not more than 40%)
(d) Lignins (25%)
Which of the above are true for organic matter of marine origin from Petroleum source rock context ?
MH SET - 2020, SET Exam - 2020,
Answer: A
For marine organic matter the true statements are (a), (b), (c): proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.
Marine organic matter comes mainly from phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria. These organisms are rich in protein (often half or more of their dry weight), carry significant lipids (roughly 5 to 25 per cent) and contain carbohydrates (up to about 40 per cent). This lipid- and protein-rich material gives the oil-prone Type I and II kerogens of marine source rocks.
Lignin, statement (d), is the structural polymer of woody land plants. It is characteristic of terrestrial organic matter and gas-prone Type III kerogen, not of marine plankton, so every option that includes (d) is wrong.
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