200 most important geography topics - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Coal

Coal is a fossil fuel that has played a crucial role in the development of modern society. It is a sedimentary rock that is formed from the remains of plants that lived and died millions of years ago. Coal is primarily composed of carbon, along with small amounts of other elements such as sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.

Coal Formation

Coal is formed through a process known as coalification. This process occurs over millions of years as plant material is buried under sediment and subjected to heat and pressure. As the plant material is buried deeper and deeper, it undergoes a series of chemical and physical changes that ultimately transform it into coal.

The process of coalification can be broken down into several stages. The first stage is the accumulation of plant material. This material can come from a variety of sources, including swamps, bogs, and marshes. As the plant material accumulates, it begins to form peat, which is a brown, fibrous material that is the precursor to coal.

Over time, the peat is buried under sediment, and the weight of the sediment compresses the peat and causes it to lose moisture. As the peat is buried deeper and deeper, it is subjected to increasing levels of heat and pressure. This causes the chemical and physical properties of the peat to change, and it begins to transform into coal.

The first stage of coalification is the formation of lignite. Lignite is a soft, brown coal with a high moisture content and a relatively low energy value. As the coalification process continues, the lignite is transformed into sub-bituminous coal, which has a higher carbon content and energy value.

The next stage of coalification is the formation of bituminous coal. Bituminous coal is a harder, black coal that has a higher carbon content and energy value than sub-bituminous coal. Finally, the coalification process can result in the formation of anthracite, which is a very hard, shiny black coal with a high carbon content and energy value.

The type of coal that is formed depends on a variety of factors, including the type of plant material, the temperature and pressure conditions, and the length of time that the material is buried. In general, the longer the plant material is buried, and the greater the temperature and pressure, the higher the carbon content and energy value of the resulting coal.

Overall, the process of coal formation is a slow and gradual process that occurs over millions of years. It is a complex process that is influenced by a variety of factors, and it ultimately results in the formation of a non-renewable resource that has played a significant role in the development of modern society.

Coal Mining

Coal mining is the process of extracting coal from the earth. There are two main methods of coal mining: surface mining and underground mining.

Surface Mining

Surface mining is used to extract coal that is close to the surface. There are several different types of surface mining, including strip mining, mountaintop removal, and open pit mining.

Strip mining involves the removal of the top layer of soil and rock to expose the coal seam. The coal is then removed using large machines, and the overlying soil and rock are replaced.

Mountaintop removal is a type of strip mining that is used in areas where the coal seam is located on a mountain. In this method, the top of the mountain is blasted away to expose the coal seam. The coal is then removed, and the overlying rock and soil are dumped into nearby valleys and streams.

Open pit mining is used to extract coal that is located in a deep underground seam. In this method, a large hole is dug into the ground, and the coal is removed using large machines.

Surface mining can have significant environmental impacts. The removal of the top layer of soil and rock can lead to the destruction of habitats and landscapes. The dumping of overlying rock and soil into nearby valleys and streams can also have significant impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Underground Mining

Underground mining is used to extract coal that is buried deep underground. There are several different types of underground mining, including room and pillar mining, longwall mining, and retreat mining.

Room and pillar mining involves the creation of rooms in the coal seam that are separated by pillars of coal. The coal is removed from the rooms, and the pillars are left in place to support the roof.

Longwall mining involves the use of a long wall of coal that is extracted in a single slice. The wall is supported by hydraulic jacks, and the coal is removed using a shearing machine.

Retreat mining is a type of longwall mining that is used to extract coal from a seam that has already been partially mined. In this method, the pillars that were left in place during the initial mining are removed, and the roof collapses behind the miners as they move forward.

Underground mining can also have significant environmental impacts. The mining process can result in the release of harmful gases, such as methane and carbon monoxide. It can also lead to subsidence of the earth's surface, which can cause damage to buildings and other structures.

Global Coal Reserves

According to the World Coal Association, there are an estimated 1.139 trillion tonnes of proven coal reserves worldwide. The largest coal reserves are found in the United States, Russia, China, India, and Australia. These five countries account for over 75% of the world's coal reserves.

The United States has the largest coal reserves of any country in the world, with an estimated 249 billion tonnes of proven reserves. The majority of these reserves are found in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana, as well as in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States.

Russia has the second-largest coal reserves in the world, with an estimated 162 billion tonnes of proven reserves. The majority of these reserves are found in the Kuznetsk Basin in Siberia.

China has the third-largest coal reserves in the world, with an estimated 138 billion tonnes of proven reserves. The majority of these reserves are located in the northern and western regions of the country.

India has the fourth-largest coal reserves in the world, with an estimated 101 billion tonnes of proven reserves. The majority of these reserves are found in the eastern and central regions of the country.

Australia has the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world, with an estimated 149 billion tonnes of proven reserves. The majority of these reserves are located in the eastern and southeastern regions of the country.

While these countries have the largest coal reserves, other countries also have significant coal reserves. Indonesia, for example, has an estimated 37 billion tonnes of proven coal reserves, while South Africa has an estimated 33 billion tonnes.

The distribution of coal reserves is influenced by a variety of factors, including geology, geography, and historical patterns of resource development. While coal will likely continue to play an important role in the energy mix of many countries in the short term, the growing recognition of the need to transition to cleaner forms of energy is likely to have significant implications for the future of the coal industry.

Coal Consumption

Coal is used primarily as a fuel source for electricity generation and industrial processes. According to the International Energy Agency, coal accounted for 38% of global electricity generation in 2019.

In terms of electricity generation, coal is particularly important in developing countries, where it is often the primary source of electricity. In 2019, coal accounted for 59% of electricity generation in India, 66% in China, and 72% in South Africa.

In addition to its use as a fuel source for electricity generation, coal is also used in a variety of industrial processes. One of the most significant uses of coal in industry is in the production of steel. Coal is used as a fuel and a reducing agent in the production of iron, which is then used to make steel.

Other industrial uses of coal include the production of cement, which is made by heating limestone and other materials with coal in a kiln. Coal is also used to produce a variety of chemicals, including methanol, ammonia, and urea.

Despite its importance as a fuel source, the use of coal has significant environmental impacts. When coal is burned, it releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and contribute to global warming.

In recent years, there has been a growing shift away from coal as countries seek to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Many countries have set targets to phase out coal-fired power plants and transition to cleaner forms of energy, such as wind and solar power.

Coal consumption is an important issue that has significant implications for global energy policy and the environment. While coal will likely continue to play a role in the energy mix of many countries in the short term, the growing recognition of the need to transition to cleaner forms of energy is likely to have significant implications for the future of the coal industry.

Coal and Climate Change

The burning of coal is a major contributor to climate change. When coal is burned, it releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and contribute to global warming.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the burning of fossil fuels like coal is responsible for approximately 70% of the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere since the pre-industrial era. This increase in greenhouse gases has led to a rise in global temperatures, which has in turn caused a range of impacts, including rising sea levels, more frequent heat waves, and more intense storms.

In addition to carbon dioxide, the burning of coal also releases other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is released during coal mining and transportation, as well as during the processing and use of coal. Nitrous oxide is also released during the combustion of coal.

The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world, and they are expected to worsen in the coming years. For example, rising sea levels are expected to lead to more frequent and severe flooding in coastal areas, while more intense heat waves are expected to lead to more heat-related illnesses and deaths.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the transition away from coal can also have other benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced health impacts. Burning coal releases a range of pollutants into the air, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses and heart disease.

The link between coal and climate change is well-established, and there is growing recognition of the need to transition to cleaner forms of energy in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change. While coal will likely continue to be an important source of energy for many countries in the short term, the shift towards cleaner forms of energy is likely to have significant implications for the future of the coal industry.