Coal (fuel source)

The energy from the Sun is stored in coal through a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic matter. Over millions of years, this organic matter gets compressed and buried underground, eventually forming coal deposits.

Although both are sourced underground and can be combusted for energy release (used as fuels), no, they are not the same.

Coal is a solid rock, generally black, composed of mostly carbon (from compressed decomposed plant matter). Whereas natural gas is a flammable gas made up of mostly methane and other hydrocarbons.

The carbon in coal, oil, and natural gas originally came from marine plants and organisms that lived millions of years ago. Over time, these organic materials were buried and subjected to high pressures and temperatures, leading to their transformation into fossil fuels.

Coal is considered a hydrocarbon because it is primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. When coal is burned, it undergoes combustion with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and producing carbon dioxide and water vapor as byproducts. This combustion process is characteristic of hydrocarbons.

Implementing carbon capture and storage technology to reduce emissions, increasing energy efficiency in coal-fired power plants, and promoting renewable energy sources as alternative to coal can help extend Earth's coal supply. Additionally, investing in research and development to find cleaner and more sustainable ways to use coal can also contribute to making the supply last longer.

Coal that is still in the ground is referred to as coal seam or coal deposit.

Most of our limestone formed during the Paleozoic era, approximately 500 to 250 million years ago. Coal formation occurred mainly during the Carboniferous period within the Paleozoic era, around 360 to 300 million years ago.

Coal is typically mined using two methods: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining, which includes strip mining and mountaintop removal, involves removing the topsoil and rock layers to reach the coal seam. Underground mining involves digging shafts and tunnels to access coal seams deep underground.

Coal-forming swamps covered the Earth during the Carboniferous period, approximately 360 to 300 million years ago. This period is known for abundant plant growth, particularly lycopods and tree ferns, which accumulated and were transformed into the coal deposits we see today.

Living plants in a swamp covered with sediment and pressed over time form peat, which is a valuable source of energy. Peat can be processed into peat moss or compressed into peat briquettes used for fuel.

Coal is mined in various countries around the world, with some of the major producers being China, the United States, India, and Australia. In the United States, coal mining occurs primarily in states such as Wyoming, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

It is likely that coal usage will decrease over the next 100 years due to the global shift towards renewable energy sources and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Advances in technology and increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of coal are contributing to a decline in its usage.

Coal mines are deep because coal deposits are generally found deep underground, requiring extensive excavation to reach and extract. Deeper mines also provide access to more extensive coal reserves, allowing for long-term extraction. Additionally, deeper mines often have higher-quality coal deposits compared to shallower ones.

Coal deposits form from the remains of ancient plants that were buried and subjected to high pressure and heat over millions of years. This process transforms the organic material into various types of coal based on the degree of heat and pressure applied. Coal deposits are typically found in areas with abundant plant growth and are a non-renewable source of energy.

Coal deposits can be found in various locations around the world, including the United States, China, India, Australia, and Russia. These deposits are typically formed in areas where ancient swamps and marshes existed, providing the conditions necessary for the accumulation of plant material that eventually turned into coal.

Coal bed formation in Antarctica is possible through the accumulation and burial of plant material in swamps during ancient warm periods in the Earth's history. Over millions of years, the plant material undergoes compaction and chemical changes, forming peat and eventually coal. Antarctica has a history of relatively warm climates in the past, allowing for the formation of these coal beds that we see today.

Soil and overburden in surface coal mining must be carefully removed and stored separately to prevent contamination and preserve topsoil for reclamation. Techniques such as contour mining and backfilling can be used to minimize the environmental impact by reducing the amount of disturbed land and facilitating reclamation efforts. Adequate erosion control measures should also be implemented to prevent sediment runoff into nearby water sources.

The four major countries where mineral oil and coal are found in abundance are United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and China. These countries have significant reserves and production capacities for both mineral oil and coal.

When coal is burned, the energy released comes originally from the sun because coal is formed from organic matter such as dead plants and trees that captured solar energy through photosynthesis. This stored solar energy in the form of carbon is released when coal is burned, making it a fossil fuel.

I don't have real-time data for coal production in specific regions for the year 2020. I recommend checking official government websites or reports from organizations such as the International Energy Agency for this information.

Bituminous coal is found in various locations around the world, including the United States, China, Russia, and Australia. In the United States, states like West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky are known for their bituminous coal reserves.

Coal is typically formed in swamp environments, where abundant plant material accumulates and is buried over time. The anaerobic conditions in these swamps prevent the complete decay of the plant material, leading to its transformation into coal through a process called coalification.

A swamp

Anthracite coal generally releases less pollution than bituminous coal when burned due to its higher carbon content and lower levels of impurities. This results in lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have negative environmental and health impacts.

Coal begins to form in a humid and warm climate where organic matter, such as dead plants, accumulates in oxygen-poor environments like swamps and wetlands. Over time, the organic matter gets buried and undergoes transformation into peat, then lignite, and finally coal through a process known as coalification.