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The idea that the massive amounts of oil already extracted and that remain in the earth are all simply dead dinosaurs and pre-historic plants is laughable.

The idea that the massive amounts of oil already extracted and that remain in the earth are all simply dead dinosaurs and pre-historic plants is laughable.

According to the standard theory, oil is not dead dinosaurs but rather algae and plankton from ancient oceans. This is supported by a number of observations: Algae grow like h*ll and thus produce huge amounts of biomass / hydrocarbons. Also similarities in chemical composition (also one of the reasons why scientists look at algae for biofuel production). Land biomass (i.e. forests etc.) usually turns into coal, a process that you can actually witness going on in several stages:

PEAT -> LIGNITE (SOFT TO BITUMINOUS)-> COAL

37 posted on 09/11/2009 3:00:47 PM PDT by wolf78 (Inflation is a form of taxation, too. Cranky Libertarian - equal opportunity offender.)

38 posted on 09/11/2009 3:08:29 PM PDT by wolf78 (Inflation is a form of taxation, too. Cranky Libertarian - equal opportunity offender.)