Summary
The optical examination of kerogen using transmitted light microscopy reveals a progressive and irreversible colour change with increasing thermal maturity. Such observations have resulted in various workers producing individual colour index scales, using diverse components of kerogen concentrates.
Three colour index scales are commonly quoted in the literature, namely Staplin’s Thermal Alteration Index (TAI), Robertson Research Spore Coloration Index (SCI), and Batten’s Colour Scale, which is also spore based.
Transmitted light spectra have been produced from the above mentioned sets of standard material, and a correlation of the different indices obtained.
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