Question

The dead aquatic organisms that were buried under the sand and clay of the sea bed, were converted to petroleum owing to:

• A. absence of air
• B. high temperature
• C. high pressure
• D. all of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D all of the above

The dead aquatic organisms that were buried under the sand and clay of the seabed, were converted to petroleum owing to the absence of air, high temperature, and high pressure.

High temperature: The organic material is compressed between Earth’s mantle, with very high temperatures, and millions of tons of rock and sediment above.

Absence of air: Oxygen is completely absent in these conditions, and the organic matter begins to transform into a waxy substance named kerogen.

High pressure: With more heat, time, and pressure, the kerogen undergoes a process called catagenesis, and transforms into hydrocarbons. In this way, Petroleum is formed.

Hence, option D is correct.