Browsing: Coal

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed primarily of carbon, along with varying amounts of other elements, notably hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Formed from the decomposed plant matter in swamp environments over millions of years under high heat and pressure, coal has been a valuable energy source since the Industrial Revolution. It is classified into different grades based on its carbon content, energy density, and the amount of impurities—peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite, with anthracite being the highest grade. Coal is primarily used for electricity generation, steel production, and as a liquid fuel. Despite its significant role in economic development, coal is a major contributor to environmental issues, including air pollution, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions, which has led to a global shift towards cleaner energy sources in efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce environmental degradation.