Concept information
Preferred term
fossil fuel
Definition
- A fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material that humans extract and burn to release energy for use. The main fossil fuels are coal, petroleum and natural gas, which humans extract through mining and drilling. The principal origin of fossil fuels is the anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms, containing organic molecules created in ancient photosynthesis. The transitions from these source materials to high-carbon fossil fuels typically requires a geological process of millions of years, sometimes more than 650 million years. Fossil fuels can be transformed into other chemicals or derivatives by the refining and chemical industries. (Adapted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuel)
Broader concept
In other languages
-
French
URI
http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/QX8-93J3GDKC-S
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