Deutsch: Fossil / Español: Fósil / Português: Fóssil / Français: Fossile / Italiano: Fossile
Fossils (from Classical Latin fossilis, literally "obtained by digging") are the preserved remains or traces of animals (also known as zoolites), plants, and other organisms from the remote past. The totality of fossils, both discovered and undiscovered, and their placement in fossiliferous (fossil-containing) rock formations and sedimentary layers (strata) is known as the fossil record.
In the industrial and industry context, "fossil" refers to the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been preserved over millions of years. Fossils are typically formed from the sedimentary rocks that have buried the remains and prevented them from decomposing.
Examples of fossils in industry include:
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Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. These fuels are used as energy sources in many industrial applications, including power generation, heating, and transportation.
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Petroleum: Petroleum, or crude oil, is a fossil fuel that is refined into various products, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels. It is used as a raw material in many industrial applications, including chemical manufacturing, plastics production, and construction.
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Natural gas: Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is used as a fuel and a raw material in many industrial applications, including power generation, heating, and chemical manufacturing. It is also used as a feedstock for the production of hydrogen and synthetic natural gas.
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Coal: Coal is a fossil fuel that is used as a fuel and a raw material in many industrial applications, including power generation, iron and steel production, and cement manufacturing.
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Peat: Peat is a partially decomposed organic material that is formed from the remains of ancient plants. It is used as a fuel and as a soil amendment in agriculture.
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Tar sands: Tar sands, or oil sands, are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen, a heavy and viscous hydrocarbon. Tar sands are processed to produce synthetic crude oil, which is used as a feedstock in many industrial applications, including the production of gasoline and diesel fuels.
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Shale gas: Shale gas is a type of natural gas that is found in shale formations. It is extracted through hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," and is used as a fuel and a raw material in many industrial applications, including power generation and chemical manufacturing.