Question

Each phrase below describes a vocabulary word from the list. Write the word that matches the phrase describing it. Liquid from remains of marine organisms

Short answer

Petroleum

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Context and Clues

The exercise is asking for a vocabulary word that fits the phrase given. The key words in the phrase are 'liquid' and 'remains of marine organisms'. These words will help us identify the correct vocabulary word.

Identify Key Characteristics

The phrase specifically mentions a 'liquid from remains', which implies a substance that is in a liquid state and originates from something that has decomposed or remained after the marine organisms have died.

Recall Vocabulary Related to Marine Organisms

Think of terms associated with marine organisms where a liquid or substance is the result of their remains. This includes thinking about processes that affect marine organisms over long periods.

Relate to Known Vocabulary

The word 'oil', especially 'petroleum', is known to be formed from the remains of ancient sea creatures and plants that have undergone transformation over millions of years into a liquid form known as crude oil.

Confirm the Match

Check the fit between the term 'oil' (specifically 'petroleum') and the given phrase: 'Liquid from remains of marine organisms'. This term matches because petroleum is indeed a liquid and originates from ancient marine life remains.

Key concepts

Marine Organisms Decomposition

When marine organisms die, their bodies begin to decompose. This is a slow process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and the presence of bacteria. Over time, the soft tissues of these organisms break down, leaving mainly their organic materials. These materials become buried under layers of sediment on the ocean floor.
This accumulation of organic material under sediment layers is the first step in the formation of fossil fuels. As more time passes, the pressure from the overlying sediments and heat from the Earth's core begin to transform these remains. The heavier sediments contribute to higher pressure, while the Earth's geothermal gradient means increasing heat with depth. - Decomposition involves - Break down of organic materials - Formation of sediment layers - Pressure and heat increase over time
These transformative conditions lead to the next step: the gradual transformation into petroleum.

Petroleum Formation

The process of petroleum formation is fascinating. As the decomposed remains of marine organisms are subjected to intense heat and pressure over millions of years, they undergo chemical transformations. These high-pressure conditions, along with heat, cause the complex organic molecules to break down into simpler hydrocarbons.
This breakdown results in the formation of a waxy substance known as kerogen. Kerogen is an intermediate stage in the transformation into petroleum. With continued increases in heat and pressure, the kerogen further decomposes into liquid hydrocarbons. These liquid hydrocarbons migrate through the porous sedimentary rocks, eventually accumulating in large underground reservoirs. - Stages of Formation: - Organic material transforms into kerogen - Kerogen breaks down into liquid hydrocarbons - Hydrocarbons accumulate in reservoirs
The final product, ready to be extracted, is what we refer to as crude oil or petroleum.

Crude Oil Origins

Crude oil, a key fossil fuel, has its origins in the ancient oceans. It forms from the remains of tiny marine organisms, such as plankton and algae, that existed millions of years ago. After these organisms died, their remains settled in the seabed and mixed with sediments.
Over millions of years, as heat and pressure increased, these remains transformed into crude oil. The combination of organic-rich sediments and the ongoing geological processes contribute to this transformation. Once trapped in certain rock formations, crude oil resides in reservoirs that can be accessed through drilling. - Understanding Crude Oil: - Derived from ancient marine organisms - Formed over millions of years - Extracted from underground reservoirs
This process not only explains the origins of crude oil but also highlights the extensive timescale required for its formation, making it a non-renewable resource.