5 ms·
The pre-bacteria theory is pretty shaky fyi. There is evidence for relevant biomass-degrading bacteria being ubiquitous at the times of coal/oil formation. A mo
by FooHentai 5y ago
The pre-bacteria theory is pretty shaky fyi. There is evidence for relevant biomass-degrading bacteria being ubiquitous at the times of coal/oil formation. A more plausible theory imo is that geological conditions in the paleozoec/mesozoeic era lent themselves to greater fossil fuel formation - greater tectonic activity alone would produce the flooding and interment processes necessary to push significant volumes of biomass down to fuel the process.
- lmilcin 5y agoFor a significant mass of biomass to be pushed down it first needs to be present. Have you ever been in a coal mine? Coal deposits can be very thick and can consist of practically pure coal with very little anything else. Our densest forests if suddenly "pushed" (I guess covered by ash or anything else, without loosing carbon) would be millimeters in width.
- yxhuvud 5y agoSo why can't peat deposits turn into coal under the right conditions? Those form all the time under certain conditions, but they can sequester a fair amount of biomass.
- dredmorbius 5y agoAFAIU they can, but it takes a very long time, as well as depth, pressure, and temperature. (Not my area of expertise.)
- FooHentai 5y agoI'm unclear on how this supports a theory of pre-bacterial formation. Yes I've been in a coal mine. What a strange stat check.