Carbonaceous refers to something relating to, containing, or composed of carbon. It is a descriptor used for the attribute of any substance rich in
carbon. Particularly,
carbonaceous are very unsaturated, high-
molecular weight hydrocarbons, having an elevated carbon:
hydrogen ratio. The carbonaceous chondrites are meteorites that are rich in carbon.
The word "carbonaceous" was first used in 1791.[ Merriam Webster definition and date of first use]
In geology, metamorphism of a carbonaceous geological material is expressed as a graphitisation process, referring to the graphite generated. Graphitisation may be accelerated or retarded in dependence on various metamorphic or lithological factors involved.
See also
-
Carbonaceous chondrite
-
Carbonaceous film
-
Carbonaceous soil
-
C-type asteroid
-
Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs)
