9781422285534

Chapter One HOW COAL FORMED

C oal, like natural gas and petroleum oil, is a resource known as a fossil fuel . It formed millions of years ago from the remains of living things, altered and preserved deep in the ground. This happened especially during the Carboniferous period, from 359 to 299 million years ago. The time span is named after its carbon -rich remains (carbon is the main substance in coal).

anaerobic: occurring without oxygen. bituminous: containing the thick, sticky, dark, tarry substance called bitumen or asphalt. carbon: a pure chemical substance or element found in great amounts in living and once-living things. macerals: microscopic particles or units in coal, made from the changed, fossilized remains of plants. reserves: amounts in store, to be used in the future. stagnant: inactive or stale. Words to Understand

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