In some areas where there is little tidal movement such as lakes or seas the plants and animals begin to decay in the absence of oxygen. As the layers build up the weight increases and the sediment is pushed further down, this increases both the temperature and pressure.
With all of these factors combined the decayed plants and animals form oil and gas deposits. In some cases these deposits rise to the surface and seep out into soil and water. In other cases the oil and gas deposits are trapped under impermeable layers of rock and drilling is necessary. Natural gas consists mainly of Methane CH 4 but can also contain other gases such as Butane and Propane.
Oil and gas formation stages. Peat is a very young form of coal, if left for a long period of time peat will eventually form coal. Peat was formed by the decay of plants and in some cases trees. These plants accumulated and decayed over hundreds of thousands of years in waterlogged areas.
Peat formed in areas where there was poor drainage. When the last ice-age ended and ice melted it left behind glacial features such as eskers and moraines. These features are evident in the topography of Ireland, especially the midlands, and lead to poor drainage of the soil. This poor drainage along with continual growth of vegetation, high levels of rainfall and a low levels of oxygen lead to the formation of peatlands..
Fossil fuels are burned to produce energy. In large power stations they are burned in the presence of oxygen. As the fuel burns the heat energy is used to heat water, as it is heated it produces steam which in turn rises and drives a turbine.
The energy conversion goes from chemical energy stored in the fuels, to heat energy as it burns which is converted to kinetic energy as it drives large turbines and finally this is converted to electrical energy. The problem with burning fossil fuels is their effect on the environment. As mentioned fossil fuels are Hydrocarbons. When hydrocarbons are burned in the presence of oxygen they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is a Greenhouse Gas and is a leading cause of Global Warming. Fossil fuels are also used in the petrochemicals industry, here the fossil fuels are used to make plastics, paints and even medication.
Ireland has a history of coal mining in areas of Leinster including Kilkenny, Carlow and Laois. The Arigna coal mine in Co. Roscommon opened in the late 18th century and ran up as far as the 's. Today Ireland imports most of its coal from areas such as Poland. The use of coal for production of electricity is decreasing as shale gas becomes more available.
Natural gas is widely used in Ireland with supplies coming from both Irish sources and imports. There are a number of gas fields in operation off the coast of Ireland including Kinsale Head, Ballycotton and the Seven Heads fields all located off the coast of County Cork. In recent years a new gas field located at Corrib off the west coast has been exploited. In order to be used within industry and for transportation the crude oil must be separated into its individual hydrocarbon-based fuels and lubricants.
Oil is used as lubricants, fuel, in plastics, cosmetics, and even medicine. It typically is deep below the surface of the earth, but can also be found bubbling up or even in the form of tar balls on the beach.
An oil spill can introduce massive amounts of oil into the environment. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the largest marine oil spill in U. The fire and explosion of the drilling rig cost 11 people their lives. Researchers took to the sea to learn as much as they could about the impacts the oil had on the surrounding marine environment, as well as the nearby Gulf communities.
Since the spill in , the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative has funded hundreds of scientists and learned a great deal about what happened to the spilled oil and what impact the spill had on natural environments along the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline. Explore some of the findings below. Considering the world's continuing dependence on fossil fuels, many argue that in addition to efforts aimed at replacing them, we also need to suck carbon from the air with technologies such as carbon capture, in which emissions are diverted to underground storage or recycled before they reach the atmosphere.
A handful of commercial-scale projects around the world already capture carbon dioxide from the smokestacks of fossil fuel-fired plants, and while its high costs have prevented wider adoption , advocates hope advances in the technology will eventually make it more affordable. All rights reserved. What Are Fossil Fuels? Learn how human use of fossil fuels—non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas—affect climate change.
Major types of fossil fuels There are several main groups of fossil fuels, including: Coal: Black or brown chunks of sedimentary rock that range from crumbly to relatively hard, coal began to form during the Carboniferous period about to million years ago, when algae and debris from vegetation in swamp forests settled deeper and deeper under layers of mud. Share Tweet Email.
Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big.
Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.
Go Further. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help. Environment COP26 nears conclusion with mixed signals and frustration.
Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem.
0コメント