Which of the following rock types could contain organic matter?
Physics · Middle School · Sun Jan 24 2021
Answered on
Out of the three primary rock types—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary—the rock type that could contain organic matter is **sedimentary rock**. Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation and lithification of material that has been eroded from existing rocks, including organic matter that is deposited in aquatic environments. Over time, the layers of sediment are compacted and cemented together to form rock. In particular, certain types of sedimentary rocks known as organic sedimentary rocks can contain a significant amount of organic material. One of the most common types of organic sedimentary rock is coal, which forms from the accumulation of plant debris in swampy environments. Another type is oil shale, which contains kerogen, a mixture of organic chemical compounds.