Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Earth Systems 3209 Unit: 3 Earth’s Materials Reference: Chapters 2, 3, 6, 7; Appendix A & B

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Stages of Coal Formation Unit 3: Topic 4.7 Focus on...  explaining the processes associated with the four stages responsible for the formation of coal.

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Formation of Coal  Coal is a sedimentary/metamorphic rock produced in swamps where there is a large-scale accumulation of organic matter from plants.  Organic materials consist of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. When plant material is buried, the hydrogen and oxygen (H 2 O) is released leaving the carbon behind.  Two major coal producing periods are known in geologic history. During the Carboniferous and Permian Periods, the continents were apparently located near the equator and covered by shallow seas.  This type of environment favoured the growth of vegetation and rapid burial to produce coal. Text Reference: Pages

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Formation of Coal  Coal is considered a Fossil Fuel.  Fossil Fuels:  Non-renewable fuels that formed long ago from the remains of plants and animals.  The origin of fossil fuels, starts with photosynthesis.  Note that if the reaction runs in reverse, it produces energy and releases carbon dioxide and water.

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador The Formation of Coal Involves Several Stages: 1)Formation of Peat:  Swamps are areas where organic matter from plants accumulate. As the plants die and get buried they compact to become peat. With time and more compaction, almost all of the water is lost and three different grades of coal result.  Peat is not a rock!! It is a stage of coal. Peat Burial Lignite Coal Seam Formation of Coal

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Formation of Coal Peat Burial Lignite Coal Seam The Formation of Coal Involves Several Stages: 2)Formation of Lignite Coal:  Compaction of the peat due to burial drives off volatile components like water and methane, eventually producing a black- colored, organic-rich coal called lignite.  Soft brown coal which consist of about 40% carbon and a larger amount of volatiles.  Because it has more volatiles, lignite does not burn efficiently.

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Compaction Bituminous Burial Anthracite Coal Seam Metamorphism Formation of Coal The Formation of Coal Involves Several Stages: 3)Formation of Bituminous Coal:  Further compaction and heating results in a more carbon- rich coal called bituminous coal.  Soft coal which consist of about 85% carbon and lesser volatiles.  Burns easily but produces a lot of smoke.

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Compaction Bituminous Burial Anthracite Coal Seam Metamorphism Formation of Coal The Formation of Coal Involves Several Stages: 4)Formation of Anthracite Coal:  If the rock becomes metamorphosed, a high grade coal called anthracite is produced.  Hard dark coal which consist of 90% to 95% carbon and burns very hot and clean. Forms as a result of metamorphic conditions.  Because it has less volatiles, anthracite coal burns cleanly produces the most energy.

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador  Coal  buried and compacted plant material  different kinds of coal, depending on formation process. Formation of Coal

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador PEAT LIGNITE BITUMINOUS ANTHRACITE Stages of Coal Formation

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Example 1: Which forms by metamorphism? (A) anthracite coal(B) bituminous coal (C) sandstone(D) shale In which locality would coal deposits most likely form? (A) continental shelves(B) deltas (C) ocean floor(D) swamps

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Your Turn... Take the time and complete the following questions... (Solutions to follow) Question: What is the correct sequence in the formation of coal? (A) anthracite - bituminous - lignite - peat (B) anthracite - peat - bituminous - lignite (C) peat - anthracite - lignite - bituminous (D) peat - lignite - bituminous - anthracite

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Solutions... Question: What is the correct sequence in the formation of coal? (A) anthracite - bituminous - lignite - peat (B) anthracite - peat - bituminous - lignite (C) peat - anthracite - lignite - bituminous (D) peat - lignite - bituminous - anthracite

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Sample Problem Use a diagram to explain the four stages involved in the formation of anthracite coal. Answer: From peat to lignite there is burial and compaction. From lignite to bituminous there is greater burial. From bituminous to anthracite there is metamorphism. Water and gases are released during all stages.

Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary... Overview of Points covered:  Formation of coal involves four (4) stages: 1) PeatPlant Material 2) Lignite 3) Bituminous Sedimentary Rock 4) AnthraciteMetamorphic Rock