Where Does Our Gasoline Come From?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stephanus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gasoline
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the origins of gasoline and fossil fuels, emphasizing that fossil fuels are derived from accumulated organic matter over geological time. The Carboniferous period, approximately 350 million years ago, is highlighted as a significant era for coal formation, while the ongoing natural processes of fossil fuel production are acknowledged as part of the carbon cycle. The conversation also touches on the impact of mycological enzyme systems on the decomposition of organic matter, which has influenced the formation of fossil fuel deposits over time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Carboniferous period and its significance in fossil fuel formation.
  • Knowledge of the carbon cycle and its role in organic matter accumulation.
  • Familiarity with mycology and its impact on organic decomposition.
  • Basic geology concepts related to fossil fuel formation and geological epochs.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geological timeline of the Carboniferous period and its fossil fuel deposits.
  • Explore the carbon cycle and its implications for modern fossil fuel production.
  • Investigate the role of fungi in organic matter decomposition and its effects on fossil fuel formation.
  • Study current methods of fossil fuel extraction and their environmental impacts.
USEFUL FOR

Geologists, environmental scientists, energy sector professionals, and anyone interested in the origins and sustainability of fossil fuels.

Stephanus
Messages
1,316
Reaction score
104
Dear PF Forum,
I'd like to ask a questin regarding our use of gasoline.
Gasoline that we consume everyday, when did they come from?
Is it from Carbon Period 350 mya? or Before
And does Nature still produce fossil fuel?
And if it doesn't when did Nature stop producing fossil fuel? Cretaceous period?
It's just my curiosity.
I haven't got a definite answer. See if there's someone here knows.
I only get this from Wiki
...Many of the coal fields date to the Carboniferous period of Earth's history. Terrestrial plants also ...
Thank you very much
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Generally speaking fossil fuels are produced from the accumulated organic matter, and there are definitely places in the world today where organic matter from dying plants/plankton get accumulated. From the moment life started on Earth This process never stopped, as it is part of the normal carbon cycle.

How fast it was in different epochs of the Earth history is another question.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Stephanus
Borek said:
Generally speaking fossil fuels are produced from the accumulated organic matter, and there are definitely places in the world today where organic matter from dying plants/plankton get accumulated. From the moment life started on Earth This process never stopped, as it is part of the normal carbon cycle.

How fast it was in different epochs of the Earth history is another question.
From the moment there were life on earth. I like it. Now this 4.4? billions years process is consumed/spent/wasted only in 300 years?
 
While coal is still being formed, the richest deposits of coal are from the carboniferous era. The question arises why the deposits from younger ages aren't as extended as from the paleozoic. A possible answer is that this time coincides with estimates of the biological origin of the mycological enzyme systems to decompose lignin. I.e. after the carbon age, wood was decomposed much more effectively by fungi than before and this reduced the size of the deposits formed.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/336/6089/1715.abstract
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Borek and Stephanus

Similar threads

Can Coal Deposits Explain the Fermi Paradox?
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
8K
Methane from Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
66K
Producing Renewable Liquid Fuels from Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
Making gasoline from seawater (to store energy)
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
Synhelion -- Using solar heliostat farms to create liquid fuels from Water Vapor and CO2
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Shouldn't they use carbon dioxide monitors?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
High School Where does the energy of gravity come from?
  • · Replies 73 ·
3
Replies
73
Views
7K
Chemistry Where Did the 400g in Enthalpy Change of Neutralization Come From?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Carbon sequestration, how does it work? Is it practical?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Writing: Input Wanted What are the Consequences of a Longer PETM?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K