From cyanobacteria to kerogen: A model of organic carbon burial

ReaxFF Molecular Dynamics Study on the Microscopic Mechanism for Kerogen Pyrolysis

“…Kerogen is a solid and insoluble organic material in sedimentary rocks, which mainly consist of dead plants, algae, and other microorganisms. It is usually formed through chemical changes and biodegradation, from being compressed and heated by geological processes. , Kerogen mainly consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with small quantities of nitrogen and sulfur present. It is characterized by high carbon and low oxygen contents, with a relatively high hydrocarbon ratio of 1.2–1.5.…”