It is almost impossible to ignore the fossil fuels as these are considered as basil element of survival on land. These fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
These come from the animal and plant matter that has been died millions of years ago. Due to the pressure of soil and sediments on the material, the plant matter turned into kerogen.
This kerogen warms up to 110 degrees Celsius, and oil is formed. When oil’s temperature goes up to 110 degrees Celsius, natural gas is formed.
Fossil fuels are playing a fundamental role in modern life. These are very important for the survival of human beings as we know that carbon is an essential element of all fossil fuels.
The geological processes produce it. Most of the fossil fuels obtain from
- Algae
- Bacteria
- Plants
Some of them also date back before the Devonian period.
Age of Fossil Fuels:
It is interesting to know that the era where fossil fuels are formed is known as the Carboniferous Period. This name comes from the word carb that is the fundamental element in fossil fuels.
According to recent research of scientists, it is proven that all the types of fossil fuels are before the time of dinosaurs. The Carboniferous period was considered as part of the Paleozoic era.
The Carboniferous period is about 360 to 286 million years old. At that time, the land was covered with ferns, leafy plants ad huge trees.
Seas were also filled with algae and small plats. The carbon layer was found before 65 million years ago in the time of Tyrannosaurus Rex. But the primary deposits of fossil fuels are present in the Carboniferous period.
The thin carbon layer in the period of the Cretaceous period was found. Due to several environmental conditions, peat comes. Sand, clay, and other minerals cover the peat to get sedimentary rocks.
Fossil fuels are known as the world’s leading source of energy production as we know that fossil fuels take millions of years to turn into coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
It is fantastic to know that after the extinction of dinosaurs, fossil fuels are non-renewable. It means that we cannot get them quickly. Finding the alternatives of these energy resources is essential to maintain the balance of the world.
How is oil formed?
”Oil is also known as crude oil. It is present naturally along with gas. Over 300 million years ago, animal species were living on the earth”.
In the seas, diatoms are present. These tiny creatures have a great ability to absorb sunlight like plants.
When they expire, they sink into the bottom of the ocean and get buried. Usually, it embeds into the form of sand and rock.
As time passes, the stones exert pressure on the diatoms. This process continues until the generation of heat. It converts all the decomposed matter into the oil.
Throughout millions of years, this oil makes multiple layers of soil and accumulates in the seas. It also collects in the dries seas areas.
Some places are above the earth’s crust and seeped out from the surface. It leads to the first discovery of oil.
Types of coal
Coal is present in an abundant amount on the planet. There are four main categories of fuel:
- Lignite
- Bituminous
- Sun-bituminous and
- Anthracite.
1. Lignite:
Most of the coal is made up of lignite. The scientist counts it in the lowest level of the family. It is resent in brownish-black color. You can find abundantly in the western bank of the Mississippi River.
2. Bituminous:
Bituminous coal of soft coal provides more energy than other categories. It contains high tar. You can find this coal in the east of the Mississippi River in the United States.
3. Sun Bituminous:
It is the pure form of coal and present in black color. It occurs in a few states of the US, like Montana and Wyoming.
4. Anthracite:
It is a highly compact form of coal that is present in a shiny black color with a metallic appearance. It generates a high amount of energy. China, Russia, and Ukraine have the largest reserves of Anthracite coal.
Origin of Natural Gas:
During the cooling process, if diatoms, some of the material gets a cook for an extended period.
It results in the vaporization of some portion of oil for natural gas. The primary composed of natural gas is methane. As it forms no ash, that’s why it is the pollution-free type of fossil fuels.
The main issue that comes with natural gas is the sulfur content because it leads to the formation of toxic gases. Sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide are more harmful.
There is a lot of research to overcome the sulfur content in natural gas.
Coal Formation Stages:
The story of coal is as same as oil and natural gas.
- In the Mesozoic era, when the primitive plants and trees died, they fell into the seas.
- When the oceans dried up, the flora started covering in the layer of sand and rocks.
- After the conversion of decomposed matter into the spongy thing, it results in the formation of coal.
- Now, peat occurs in many regions of the world.
Natural resources of extraction
-
Coal:
The main proportion of mining involves the removal of coal. Fuel can also extract from the upper portion of the crust. Underground mining can also take place.
Surface mining is easy as compare to other methods. Shovels and bulldozers are effective methods of extraction.
-
Oil:
Offshore oil rigs and coastal oil areas pump most of the petroleum. A hole is made by drilling, and the oil is extracted through long pipes. In the US, most of the oil-producing states are present near the coastal areas.
-
Natural Gas:
Petroleum or natural gas is present in the same patches of the earth. Scientists are looking at gas and oil deposits with specialized types of equipment.
These types of equipment cause-specific vibrations in the land that are directly associated with oil and gas.
Now the new technology that is “DigeH. pyloristers” is using out by the workers to speed up the process.
Conclusion:
Fossil fuels are the most comprehensive source of energy. They are present in an abundant amount on the earth.
Fossil fuels take millions of years to turn into coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Now, the use of these non-renewable resources has been increased. There is a great need to overcome these issues by their alternative.
