Question

How are fossil fuels formed?

Answer 1

Hint: Based on availability, natural resources can be classified into— renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are ones which naturally replenish and thus have the advantage of unlimited supply over a long period. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are ones that have a limited supply and take a very long time to replenish. Focusing on non-renewable resources, they include fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas, mineral ores, etc. They are widely used as sources of energy because they are rich in methane, and other high alkanes, with a small percentage of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide or helium.

Complete answer: Fossil fuels are formed as a result of anaerobic decomposition of living organisms over millions of years. This means that thick layers of animal and plant remains are broken down in the absence of oxygen have been deposited on the earth’s surface and ocean floors and mixed with sand, silt and calcium carbonate. Some of them date back to over 650 million years. The presence of organic matter in fossil fuels makes them combustible and thus useful as sources of energy. Petroleum and natural gas, for example, have been formed due to the deposition of dead aquatic phytoplankton and zooplankton, while coal and methane are formed due to decomposition of terrestrial plants.

Note: Fossil fuels if not used sustainably will be used up due to over-mining and will take millions of years to replenish. Due to the rapid increase in population, there is enormous pressure on the already depleting natural resources. Thus, there is a wide need for measures of sustainable development so that the needs of the present can be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.