Advances in organic geochemistry / Достижения в области органической геохимии

THE fascinating problem of the origin of liquid petroleum, with which we must associate natural gas, mineral waxes, and asphaltic materials, is primarily of interest to geologists and chemists, but its solution would have a wider impact, since it would throw some light on certain aspects of the early history of the earth and the first steps in the evolution of living forms. 
The early ideas of Mendeleev were based on the postulate that metallic carbides were formed at high temperatures, and possibly high pressures, and were subsequently decomposed by water. 
This abiological theory of the genesis of hydrocarbons held the field until unmistakable evidence of biological precursors began to accumulate from the early nineteen twenties onwards. At the present time there is some tendency, even among geologists, to draw attention to the shortcomings of the- bio-theory which, however, has become generally accepted. The views on these topics here expressed are the responsibility of the author alone and are based entirely on published information.  <...>