Minerals and Fossil Fuels of Pakistan.

Minerals and Fossil Fuels of Pakistan.
Development and progress of a country depends upon what type of land,water,minerals,forests and wildlife etc are present there and how they are being utilized.All the things mentioned above are called resources.God has blessed Pakistan  with all types of resources which are basis for the development of any nation.Coal,oil and gas are called fossil fuels.Energy required for transport,power generation,agriculture and industry comes mainly from these sources.They are called fossil fuels because they were formed from the remains of plants and animals of remote past,which are buried under the earth.With passage of time they changed into coal,oil and gas due to excessive pressure and temperature in the earth.Use of natural resources is essential  for industrial development,progress,prosperity and better quality of life.However,it is also a fact that fossil fuels and mineral are non-renewable resources.They are called non-renewable resources because either they cannot be reproduced  or it takes long time reform.For example,millions of years are needed for the formation of fossil fuels.Also,the amount of minerals on earth is limited.They may end up soon if their excessive use is continued.Resources must be conserved for future use.Measures like recycling of used materials,substitution(use of alternatives)and reuse of articles of common use may be adopted in this regard.
Coal:
It is one of the oldest  sources for obtaining thermal (heat)power.Coal was formed millions of years ago by burying of trees and remains of plants growing in marshes.In Pakistan coal is most used in brick kilns.However,it is also being used in production of electricity.
Petroleum:
Petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel.It is formed in shallow seas from marine plants and animal remains,which were buried under earth and changed later on into petroleum due to pressure and high temperature.Gas was also formed along with petroleum.Petroleum is one of the most important resource in the modern times.Various products are obtained by refining crude oil pumped out from the earth.Gasoline(Petrol),Diesel,Furnace oil and Kerosene oil all are petroleum products used as fuels in vehicles,ships,power stations,industries and homes.Grease,asphalt,synthetic fibre(such as nylon,polyester),and plastic are some other petroleum products.
Natural Gas:
Natural gas is a mixture of different gases including methane,ethane,propane etc.Large deposits of natural gas exist in Pakistan.Natural gas like petroleum and coal, is a major source of energy.It is used in electricity generation in power plants,production of cement and chemical fertilizers,industries and homes for heating and cooking.Many vehicles now a days are also being run on compressed natural gas.
Minerals:
Minerals include those elements(Gold,Iron,Copper) and compounds(gypsum,mica) which are found in solid state in the earth crust and are important for human use.Mostly minerals are in rock form.The rocks from which minerals can be obtained are called Ores.Minerals are important for us in many ways.Metals(Iron,Silver,Copper,Aluminium)and non-metals(Sulphur,Lime stone,Granite) have become part of our daily life.Gypsum is used in cement and plaster making and for reclamation of saline(salt affected) soils.Chromium is obtained from chromite.In addition to making alloys chromium is used in many industries.Gemstone is source  of gems and diamonds.Silicon is obtained as silica which is used in glass making.Now a days silicon is used in making microprocessors of computers.God has gifted Pakistan with great minerals wealth.Especially Balochistan is rich in minerals.
Effects of fossil fuels on environment.
Although fossil fuels are a cheap and convenient source of energy but at the same time these are creating many environmental problems.As already discussed under air pollution,burning of fossil fuel produces smoke and a number of gases,which cause environmental pollution.Large areas of fertile land,forests and natural habitats of many animals are destroyed during exploration and drilling of coal and oil.