The three main sources of organic matter in oceanic basins are marine plankton, terrestrial higher plants and undifferentiated residual organic matter which has been highly degraded in subaerial environments. The time and areal distribution of marine organic matter is mainly controlled by the conditions of preservation. In deep oceans accumulation occurs mainly in confined anoxic basins, and also in open ocean, where local conditions generate a surplus of supply over bacterial degradation. Moderately degraded terrestrial organic matter is derived from land plants and carried away by rivers and currents. It is mainly deposited in sediments of the river fans. Residual organic matter has been highly degraded in subaerial conditions prior to transportation, and may consist of contemporaneous and/or recycled material. It cannot be degraded any more and may be spread over wide areas, regardless of the local environments.