Formation of Fossil Fuels: Earth's Natural Energy Resources - PDF

Formation of Fossil Fuels: Earth's Natural Energy Resources What Are Fossil Fuels? Natural resources formed from ancient plant and animal remains Took millions of years to form under heat and pressure Main types: coal, oil, and natural gas Primary source of energy worldwide...

Formation of Fossil Fuels: Earth's Natural Energy Resources What Are Fossil Fuels? Natural resources formed from ancient plant and animal remains Took millions of years to form under heat and pressure Main types: coal, oil, and natural gas Primary source of energy worldwide Classified as nonrenewable resources The Formation of Coal Begins with ancient swamps and forests (300-400 million years ago) Dead plant material accumulates in swampy areas Layers build up over time, creating peat Heat and pressure transform peat into different types of coal: Lignite (youngest) Bituminous Anthracite (oldest and hardest) Coal Formation Process Step 1: Plant material falls into swampy areas Step 2: Material gets buried by sediment Step 3: Pressure increases as more layers build up Step 4: Heat and pressure remove water and gases Step 5: Carbon content increases over millions of years The Formation of Oil Begins with tiny marine organisms (plankton) When organisms die, they sink to ocean floor Gets buried under layers of sediment Heat and pressure transform remains into oil Process takes millions of years Usually found in porous rock formations Natural Gas Formation Forms alongside oil from marine organisms Created through same process of heat and pressure Can form independently or with oil deposits Mainly composed of methane Lighter than oil, found in upper portions of reservoirs Natural Gas and Oil Formation Why Are They Nonrenewable? Takes millions of years to form We use them much faster than they can form Once used, cannot be readily replaced Limited supply on Earth Current consumption rate is unsustainable Environmental Impact Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases Contributes to climate change Mining and drilling can damage ecosystems Oil spills can harm wildlife Air pollution affects human health Future of Energy Need to reduce fossil fuel dependency Shift towards renewable energy sources Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power Development of new energy technologies Importance of energy conservation