Biomarker is a general term, as any sort of compound used for deconvolving the many signals that help us reconstruct a paleoenvironment, and trace modern metabolic pathways. In the lipids section below, we classify biomarkers by structure. In the diagenesis and biogenic vs. abiogenic sections, we describe ways in which biomarkers may be used to understand these inputs into source rock creation.

Lipids

Lipids

Isotopes

Isotopes

Kerogen

Kerogen

Diagenesis

Diagenesis and catagenesis

(the image is supposed to represent ancient burial)