---
title: "Carbonaceous"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonaceous"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T11:26:45.486671+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

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 hydrocarbons 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.
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 (carbonaceous) asteroid
Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs)


== References ==