Diagenesis, catagenesis, and metagenesis of organic matter

Abstract

Upon burial, organic matter in sedimentary rock undergoes numerous compositional changes that are dictated initially by microbial agencies and later mainly by thermal stress. This continuum of processes is termed thermal maturation and is divided into three consecutive stages: diagenesis (Ro<0.5%), catagenesis (0.5% < Ro<2.0%), and metagenesis (2.0%