Abstract
In this paper the present anthor's opinions concerning the carbonaceous matter in sedimentary rocks and their graphitization processes are briefly reviewed.
Carbonaceous matter contained in sediments and sedimentary rocks as a chief constituent of coal and coaly shale, and as dispersed fine-grained particles in non-coaly rocks show progressive change of crystallinity. Their crystallographic transformation from amorphous to graphite structure corresponds well to the transition of authigenic and metamorphic minerals under diagenetic and metamorphic conditions.
Consequently carbonaceous matter is available to estimate the diagenetic and/or metamorphic degree of host rocks in which the matter is contained.
