What Are Fossil Fuels?

What is a fossil fuel? Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons such as coal, oil and natural gas, sourced from the organic remains of prehistoric organisms. A lump of coal, liquid petroleum and a gas flame are all fossil fuels. When these fuels are burnt, the energy released can be harnessed to produce electricity, power vehicles, heat homes, cook food and much more. They are also used in the production of important materials such as plastics.

How Do Fossil Fuels Form? In order to answer this question, we must first distinguish oil and gas from coal. Generally speaking, oil and gas are formed from the organic remains of marine organisms which become entrained within sea-floor sediments. Coal, by contrast, is typically formed in non-marine settings from the remains of land vegetation.

Oil and gas formation begins with the accumulation of organics on the sea-floor; these are the dead remains of organisms living in the water column, such as microscopic plankton, which rain down on the sea floor below. As the sediment pile becomes deeper the organics within it are subjected to heat and pressure which leads to formation of oil and then gas.

Coal typically forms on land from vegetation in lowland, swampy, mire environments. Stagnant waterlogged soil prevents the accumulated plant debris from breaking down. The recognizable remains of plants are often visible within coals and associated shale, confirming their plant-origin. The picture shows a piece of coal containing a network of fossilized fern leaves - clear evidence that it was formed from vegetable remains

Will Fossil Fuels Run Out? Fossil fuels are essentially a non-renewable energy source. The geological processes which create them take millions of years, so they cannot be replaced within human timescales once they have gone. It is impossible to estimate when fossil fuels will disappear, but within the next 100 years it is widely believed that the cost of finding and extracting new deposits will render them too expensive for everyday use.

What are the alternative renewable energy sources? Renewable energy sources can provide comparable energy production and heating. At present some technologies are cost inhibitive, but the rate of technological development is making them more affordable with time. Other examples of renewable energy sources include water powered turbines, wind turbines, solar panels, tidal generators, and nuclear power.

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