carbonrich

Carbon-rich is an adjective used across scientific disciplines to describe substances or environments that contain a comparatively high proportion of carbon. The exact meaning of “rich” depends on the context, since different materials and systems have different baseline compositions. In general, “carbon-rich” signals a substantial presence of carbon relative to other elements.

In geology and planetary science, carbon-rich materials include coal, carbonaceous shales, and kerogen-containing rocks. Carbon-rich meteorites, or carbonaceous chondrites, preserve high carbon content and organic compounds. In sedimentary geology, kerogen and related organic matter are described as carbon-rich components that can generate hydrocarbons under suitable conditions.

Soil science and ecology use the term to denote soils with high soil organic carbon (SOC). Such soils, including peat and humus-rich layers, store large amounts of carbon and influence ecological productivity and climate feedbacks.

In chemistry and biology, many organic compounds are carbon-rich, featuring long carbon chains or networks. In astronomy, carbon-rich stars (C-stars) have atmospheres where carbon-bearing molecules dominate over oxygen, affecting their spectra and evolution.

In environmental science and materials research, carbon-rich materials are important for carbon sequestration, energy storage, and novel carbon-based polymers or composites. While “carbon-rich” does not define a single category, it serves as a practical descriptor for high-carbon content across disciplines. See also carbon, organic carbon, carbonaceous material, and carbon stars.