Fossil Fuels
...range from very volatile materials with low carbon:hydrogen ratios like methane, to liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like anthracite coal. It is generally accepted that they formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals[1] by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years[2]. This is known as the biogenic theory and was first introduced by Mikhail Lomonosov in 1757. There is an opposing theory that the more volatile hydrocarbons, especially natural gas, are formed by abiogenic processes, that is no living material was involved in their formation.
It was estimated that in 2004 86% of human-produced energy came from burning fossil fuels.[3]
Fossil fuels take millions of years to form and reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being formed and so are non-renewable resources. Concern about fossil fuel supplies is one of the causes of regional and global conflicts. The production and use of fossil fuels raise environmental concerns. A global movement toward the generation of renewable energy is therefore under way to help meet increased energy needs.
The burning of fossil fuels accounts for about 6.3% of the total emissions of carbon dioxide, but it is estimated that natural processes can only absorb about half of that amount so there is a net increase of 6.2 billion tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year. [4] Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that enhances radiative forcing and contributes to global warming raising concerns that solar heat will be trapped and the average surface temperature of the Earth will rise in response.
Contents [hide]
1 Importance
2 Limits and alternatives
3 Levels and flows
4 Environmental effects
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit] Importance
Fossil fuels are of great...
View Full Essay
