Chapter 18.1, Problem 1BYL

To determine

The source of the organic material in petroleum.

Answer to Problem 1BYL

The organism dwelling deep in the ocean, terrestrial and aquatic plants, and microorganisms including bacteria, algae, and other minute shallow or deep-water dwelling creatures are the sources of the organic material of petroleum.

Explanation of Solution

The petroleum that occurs naturally refers to an organic substance that majorly includes chemically bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms along with minor quantities of other elements (hydrocarbons). There are different sources of organic matter that transforms into hydrocarbons.

The reefs are rich sources of life, which include fish and other marine creatures. Among them, some that are microscopic can construct corals and other structures. The other organisms reside inside the deep cool waters. They add organic materials to the deep-ocean sediment.

Both terrestrial and aquatic plants add organic matter to the sediment. The land plants on burial get transformed into coal and methane gas; however, normally they do not get decomposed into oil.

The large number of diverse microorganisms abundantly found in lakes and seas are good source of petroleum. Such organisms might include bacteria, algae, and other small shallow or deep-water dwelling organisms. They sink to the bottom of the water body after their death and get buried and decomposed into petroleum.