Coal
Coal is a black hard rock, flammable in nature. It belongs to the category of solid fossil fuels because of its ignition property. It consists of 65-95% carbon. The other constituents include hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen. Coal is formed from the remains of plants which lived millions of years ago in tropical regions of the Earth. Due to natural processes such as flooding, these trees got buried under the soil. With time, more and more soil got deposited over them. The temperature rose with depth. Under the high conditions of temperature and pressure over a long period of time, these remains of dead vegetation got converted to coal. The process of conversion of dead vegetation to coal is termed as canonization.
Types of Coal
Coal can be divided into four types, based on their carbon content and ignition rate. In this section, we shall learn about the stages through which coal is formed.
- Peat: Peat is a heterogeneous mixture of partially decomposed organic matter that has accumulated in a water-saturated environment in the absence of oxygen. Peat is used for its highly absorbent property towards fuel. The carbon content in peat is less than 60%.
- Lignite: When peat gets transformed into a rock, it forms lignite. Lignite is the lowest rank of coal in terms of carbon content and efficiency. It is mainly used for electric power generation. It has a carbon content of nearly 60% – 70%.
- Bituminous: When lignite is subjected to high temperature and pressure, the process of organic metamorphism takes place, where oxygen and hydrogen content of the matter decreases, thus increasing the carbon content. The carbon content of bituminous coal ranges from 77-87%. It is used as a fuel in steam-electric power generation and for heat and power applications in manufacturing industries.
- Anthracite: Anthracite is considered the highest quality of coal. It has a carbon content of 87% or more. It is hard and glossy in nature and has the highest heating value. It is mainly used for residential and commercial purposes.
Petroleum
Petroleum is a naturally occurring, yellow to brown liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth’s surface. It consists of 93-97% Carbon. The other constituents include hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur. Petroleum is formed from the remains of zooplankton and algae. Vast quantities of these remains settled at the lake or sea bottoms upon mixing with sediments got buried in the absence of oxygen. With further layer settling to the sea or lake bed, they got subjected to high temperature and pressure. Over time, the organic matter changes to a waxy material known as kerogen. Kerogen when applied with more heat converts into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. Formation of petroleum occurs from the hydrocarbon with various reactions at high temperature and pressure.
Crude petroleum oil is further distilled to obtain gasoline (petrol), kerosene, butane, diesel, LPG etc. apart from asphalt and other chemical reagents.
Uses and Advantages of Fossil Fuels
Fossils represent the remains or traces of once-living organisms. Broadly, the four types of fossils are: Body, Molecular, Trace & Carbon Fossil. Fossil fuels are used to fuel cars and aeroplanes, power electricity plants, to make medicines, cosmetics, plastics, synthetic fibres and lubricants and also in the manufacture of products for everyday use such as toothpaste, tires etc.
Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels
Some major disadvantages of fossil fuels are:
Environmental hazards
When fossil fuels are burnt, carbon dioxide is released, which is one of the primary gases responsible for global warming. The rise in the temperature of Earth, melting of polar ice caps and flooding in low-lying areas are the major consequences.
Environmental hazards due to Fossil fuels
Acid Rain
Sulphur dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burnt. It is one of the main causes of acid rain, which results in the destruction of crops and monuments made up of marbles and bricks.
Destruction of monuments due to acid rain
Impact on aquatic life
Oil spills resulting from the drowning of oil tankers and ships cause water pollution in seas and oceans. This, in turn, results in the destruction of aquatic life and imbalance in the ecosystem.
Oil spill
Non-renewability
The reserve for fossil fuels is limited, and they are being extracted at an exorbitant rate and are expected to be finished in the next 30-40 years.
So, the fossil fuels- coal and petroleum are important. They have been playing a pivotal role in making the world look the way it looks today ever since their discovery.
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