TAR SANDS Meaning and
Definition
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Tar sands, also known as oil sands, refer to a type of unconventional petroleum deposit that consists of a mixture of sand, clay, water, and a dense and highly viscous form of petroleum known as bitumen. It is extracted and processed to obtain synthetic crude oil.
Tar sands are found predominantly in Canada and Venezuela, with the majority of the world's reserves located in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada. The deposit is formed over millions of years as the remnants of plants and animals are buried under layers of sediment and sedimentary rocks. The organic material undergoes heat and pressure, resulting in the conversion of the bitumen into a heavy, tar-like substance.
Extracting oil from tar sands involves various processes, including mining and in-situ extraction. In mining, large-scale open-pit operations are undertaken to extract the bitumen-rich sands from the earth, which is then processed to separate the bitumen from the sand and clay. In-situ extraction, on the other hand, is used when the bitumen is deeper in the ground. It involves injecting steam into the ground to heat the bitumen, reducing its viscosity and allowing it to be pumped to the surface.
Although tar sands provide a significant source of energy, their extraction has raised numerous environmental concerns. The process requires substantial amounts of water and energy, resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the extraction operations can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, water quality, and indigenous communities.
Etymology of TAR SANDS
The term "tar sands" originated from the combination of two separate words: "tar" and "sands".
"Tar" is derived from the Old English word "teoru", which referred to a viscous, thick, and dark substance produced by the distillation of organic materials such as wood or coal. Over time, this word evolved to "tar", which generally describes a black, sticky, and highly viscous substance.
"Sands" refers to a type of sediment composed of tiny granules of minerals or rock particles. It can also refer to geological formations primarily made up of sand.
Thus, when combined, "tar sands" describes deposits or reservoirs of a mixture of sand, clay, water, and a thick, heavy form of crude oil known as bitumen. These tar sands are found in various regions worldwide, but are most commonly associated with the large reserves in Alberta, Canada.
