carbonous

Carbonous is an adjective used to describe something that contains or is characterized by the presence of carbon. This term is broad and can be applied in various contexts, particularly in chemistry and geology. In chemistry, a carbonous compound is any substance that includes carbon as a fundamental element, distinguishing it from inorganic substances which generally lack carbon. This includes a vast array of organic molecules essential to life.

In a geological context, carbonous can refer to materials rich in carbon, such as coal or petroleum, which are formed from the remains of ancient organic matter. Sedimentary rocks that contain a significant amount of organic carbon are sometimes described as carbonous. The term can also be used more generally to indicate the carbon content of a material or substance. For example, a material might be described as having a high carbonous nature if it is predominantly composed of carbon. The specific meaning often depends on the scientific discipline and the nature of the subject being discussed.