Labels on oil derricks often feature imposing illustrations of massive Jurassic creatures, reinforcing the idea that "black gold" comes from their massive bodies. The Source Material: Plankton, Not Tyrannosaurus To understand where oil really comes from, you have to look millions of years before the age of dinosaurs.
Crude Oil Biomarkers: How Algae and Plankton, Not Dinosaurs, Form Oil
The sheer volume of oil consumed globally could not possibly be supplied by the rare carcasses of a Triceratops. When these organisms died, they sank to the bottom of shallow seas and oceans, accumulating in thick layers of sediment on the sea floor.
Kerogen Type Primary Source Primary Fossil Fuel I Algae Oil II Plankton, Bacteria, Algae Oil and Gas III Land Plants Gas and Coal Modern Evidence and Extraction We know the biological origin of oil not just from theory, but from direct observation. Instead, it is subjected to intense heat and pressure over millions of years.
Crude Oil Biomarkers: How Algae Evidence Debunks the Dinosaur Myth
Types of Organic Matter The specific type of organic material dictates the quality and characteristics of the resulting oil. While it is theoretically possible that some dinosaur remains contributed to the fossil fuel mix, their contribution is negligible compared to the vast quantities of microscopic matter.
More About Did oil come from dinosaurs
Looking at Did oil come from dinosaurs from another angle can help expand the discussion and give readers a second clear paragraph under the same section.
More perspective on Did oil come from dinosaurs can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
