The researchers studied organic matter in the Lower Oxford Clay to learn how it forms and changes over time. They analyzed samples from different locations and found that the organic matter comes from phytoplankton and some land plants. Samples with the most marine life had the highest amount of well-preserved organic matter. The carbon isotopes in the samples show how productive the environment was where the organic matter formed. Overall, the study shows how different factors affect the type and amount of organic matter in the Oxford Clay Formation.