Kömürü

Kömürü is a term that primarily refers to coal in Turkish. Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is composed primarily of carbon, along with variable quantities of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal is a fossil fuel, formed from the remains of dead plant matter over millions of years.

The extraction of coal, known as mining, can be done through surface mining or underground mining. Surface mining involves removing the overlying soil and rock to expose the coal seam, while underground mining uses shafts and tunnels to access deeper deposits. Historically, coal has been a vital energy source, powering industrial revolutions and providing heat for homes.

The combustion of coal releases energy, which can be used to generate electricity in power plants or for direct heating. However, burning coal also releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. It also releases other pollutants like sulfur dioxide, which can cause acid rain, and particulate matter, affecting air quality and human health. Consequently, there is a global trend towards reducing coal consumption and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Despite its environmental drawbacks, coal remains a significant part of the energy mix in many countries, particularly for electricity generation, due to its abundance and relatively low cost compared to some alternatives.