Formation of Fossil Fuels

Introduction

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon (combination of carbon and hydrogen)- containing substances formed naturally (in nature) on the surface of the earth (earth’s crust). They are formed from the remains left-over) of dead (not alive) plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that are extracted (being absorbed) and buried under the soil and burned as fuel. Some of the known and widely used fossil fuels (or, fuels) are coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Coals are formed as rock strata (stone) called coal (charcoal) seams.

Coal is produced (formed) when the dead (not alive) plant matter (flora) decays (decomposed) into peat (accumulation of partially decayed organisms) and then it is converted (transformed) into coal (charcoal) by the heat (H) and pressure (P).

• There are four (4) stages involved in coal generation or formation and they are- peat (1st), lignite(2nd), bituminous(3rd), and anthracite(4th).

These stages (steps) depend upon some conditions under which they were buried inside. There are numerous uses of coal in our life they include home and commercial heating, the formation of medicines, tars, etc. Petroleum (also called crude oil) is formed or produced from the dead remains of ancient marine organisms, such as bacteria, plants, and algae. Petroleum is used to generate heat and electricity, also used as a lubricant.

What are Fossil Fuels?

Fossil fuel is a type of hydrocarbon (combination of hydrogen and carbon) containing substances that are occurred or are produced naturally (in nature) on the surface of the earth (earth’s crust or surface) from the dead remains (left-over) of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that are extracted (absorbed) and burned (used) as a fuel. Some of the most common and widely used fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, and natural gases. Fossil fuels (fuels) are burned sometimes to provide (release) heat to use directly (purposely) for cooking and heating purposes.

Fossil fuels are also used to power engines and to generate electricity. The origin (point of generation) of fossil fuels is the anaerobic (in the absence of oxygen) decomposition of buried dead (not alive) organisms (plants or animals) containing the organic type of molecules, generated by photosynthesis. And the conversion (transformation) from these substances to fossil fuels (high carbon) requires or undergoes a geological (natural) process of millions (number) of years.

Fossil fuels are very important for mankind and development as they can be readily (easily) burned (ignited) in the open (space) atmosphere (open area) to produce (give) heat. But the burning of fossil fuels is also very harmful to the environment because of its excessive use or exploitation by the people.

How is Coal Formed?

Coal is a solid (s), black, and highly combustible (easily catches fire) fossil fuel. Coal contains a huge amount (number) of carbon content. The formation of coal is a slow and gradual process, it takes millions of years to form. And the formation (generation) of coal starts or begins in the areas of muddy wetlands (riverside) where the groundwater (underground) is near (close) or slightly (a little bit) above (over) the topsoil.

Due to this condition, the flora (plant part) present there produces (generates) organic matter more quickly. Then the layers (one after another) of the organic materials are accumulated (filled) and then buried.

Further, these layers (one after another) form coal. The energy present in the coal (c) comes (taken) from the sun (light), which is tapped (stored) by the dead plants. Although there are two (2) main (important) phases in coal (c) formation (generation) and they are peatification and coalification.

In peatification, peat (accumulation of partially decayed organisms) formation takes place due to bacterial activities, and exceeding temperature (T) and pressure (P) from the burial (buried) are the main (important) factors (causes) in coalification.

Coal Formation Stages

There are four (4) stages (steps) in the coal (c) formation and, they are- peat (1st), lignite (2nd), bituminous (3rd), and anthracite (4th). These stages (steps) depend upon some conditions (natural) to which the remains (plant) are subjected (forced) after they were put inside or buried. The higher ranking of coals is directly proportional to the amount of heat and pressure applied.

• Peat − This is the first stage in the coal formation. Generally, the vegetation matters are oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO_2) and water (H_2 O). But if the plant materials accumulated underwater (inside the water), oxygen (O_2) is not available or present there and hence, only partial (slight) decomposition takes place. This incomplete (partial) destruction (decomposition) leads to the collection of an organic (natural) substance (material) called peat.

• Lignite − This is the second (2nd) stage in the coal formation when peat (1st step) is subjected (forced) to increased vertical pressure (p) from the collecting sediments. It is available in many different places, but it is used as coal only when more (greater) efficient fuel (fossil) is not available.

• Bituminous − This is the third (3rd) stage (step) in the coal formation. Further adding pressure, making it compact (small area), and virtually (mostly) all traces of flora (plant life) have gone or disappeared. This type of coal is found (available) in Cape Breton and is also present in our most (widely) abundant fuel.

• Anthracite − This is the fourth and last stage in the coal (c) formation. This is also known (called) as ‘hard coal’ as it is hard (strong) and has a high (great) lustre. This is formed due to the combination of high pressure and temperature.

Uses of Coal

Some uses of coal are as follows −

• Used as domestic and industrial fuel.

• Used for the generation or production of electricity.

• It is also used as a fuel in power engines.

• It is used in the production or preparation of cement, carbon fibres, medicines, etc.

• It is also used in the steel industries to produce steel and some other metals.

How is Petroleum Formed?

Nefronus, Petroleum sample, CC0 1.0

Uses of Petroleum

Some uses of petroleum are as follows −

• Petroleum is used for transportation purposes.

• Petroleum is either in the form of oil, diesel, and gasoline used in the industry to produce electricity.

• Petroleum is also used for heating and lighting purposes.

• Petroleum is also used as a lubricant.

Conclusion

Fossil fuel is a type (form) of hydrocarbon (combination of hydrogen and carbon) containing substances (materials) that occurred or are produced naturally (in nature) on the surface of the earth (earth’s crust or surface) from the dead remains (left-over) of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that are extracted (absorbed) and burned (used) as a fuel. Some of the most common and widely used fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, and natural gases. Fossil fuels (fuels) are burned sometimes to provide (release) heat to use directly (purposely) for cooking and heating purposes. Fossil fuels are also used to power engines and to generate electricity.

The origin (point of generation) of fossil fuels is the anaerobic (in the absence of oxygen) decomposition of buried dead (not alive) organisms (plants or animals) containing the organic type of molecules, generated by photosynthesis. And the conversion (transformation) from these substances to fossil fuels (high carbon) requires or undergoes a geological (natural) process of millions (number) of years.

Fossil fuels are very important for mankind and development as they can be readily (easily) burned (ignited) in the open (space) atmosphere (open area) to produce (give) heat. There are four (4) stages (steps) in the coal (c) formation and they are- peat (1st), lignite (2nd), bituminous (3rd), and anthracite (4th). These stages (steps) depend upon some conditions (natural) to which the remains (plant) are subjected (forced) after they were put inside.

FAQs

1. What do you mean by fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon (combination of carbon and hydrogen)- containing substances (materials) formed naturally (in nature) on the earth’s surface (earth’s crust). They are formed from the remains (left-over) of dead plants and animals that are extracted and buried under the soil and burned as fuel.

2. What is the origin of the generation of fossil fuels?

The origin (point of generation) of fossil fuels is the anaerobic (in the absence of oxygen) decomposition of buried dead organisms (plants or animals).

3. Name the coal formation stages.

Peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite, are the four coal formation stages.

4. What is the basic difference between coal formation and petroleum formation?

The basic difference between coal and petroleum formation is that petroleum is formed when the sea or marine animals are decomposed under high pressure and temperature, whereas coal is formed when the plants and animals decompose under high pressure and temperature.

5. Mention some uses of Petroleum.

Petroleum is used in the transportation, and generation of heat. light and electricity.