When these organisms died, their bodies fell to the seabed, accumulating in layers upon layers. Over geological time, the heat and pressure from these accumulating layers transformed the soft biological material into a waxy substance called kerogen, and eventually into liquid hydrocarbons.
Microscopic Creatures and the Tiny Organisms That Built Our Oil Legacy
The organic-rich sediment laid down over millions of years was subjected to intense heat and pressure as more layers accumulated. These tiny creatures died, sank to the ocean floor, and were buried in sediment, creating the thick, organic-rich rock that eventually becomes source rock for oil and gas.
While these events created spectacular fossil skeletons, the volume of material was insignificant compared to the continuous rain of microscopic marine life. Most decomposing on land allowed for complete oxidation, leaving behind only trace amounts of carbon.
Microscopic Creatures: The Real Oil Legacy Beneath Our Feet
Dinosaurs in the Mix So where do dinosaurs fit into this prehistoric pantry? Dinosaurs, along with other terrestrial plants and animals, did contribute to the organic material, but their contribution was relatively minor compared to the oceanic plankton. The type of oil produced—its density, sulfur content, and viscosity—depends on the original organic material and the specific conditions of temperature and pressure it endured.
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