Bituminite is an autochthonous maceral that is a part of the liptinite group in lignite, that occurs in petroleum source rocks originating from organic matter such as algae which has undergone alteration or degradation from natural processes such as burial [citation needed].
[4] It is described to have no definite shape or form when present in bedding and can be identified using different kinds of visible and fluorescent lights.
[1] Bituminite is commonly found in the size and shape of irregular, discoidal particles that are typically 100–200 μm in diameter.
[1] Bituminite is found in oxic to anoxic lacustrine and marine environments commonly associated with other maceral minerals such as alginite and liptodetrinite.
Type III, the rarest kind of bituminite, appears dark grey under a reflected white light, however, lacks fluorescence.
[1] Bituminite is the main source for low-temperature coal tar, which is used in industry, medicine and construction [citation needed].
Research has shown that type I bituminite in modes upwards of 10% of the total organic matter, is indicative of a potential petroleum-source rock.