Why does coal have a higher carbon content compared to the original plant material?
Water and volatile substances are lost during coal formation
Coal forms when buried plant matter is subjected to heat and pressure over geological time. During this coalification the plant tissue loses water (moisture) and volatile substances such as methane, carbon dioxide and other low-boiling compounds. As these lighter, hydrogen- and oxygen-rich components leave, the residue becomes progressively richer in carbon, moving through peat, lignite and bituminous coal to anthracite.
Minerals are not added underground to increase carbon content; any minerals present come from the original plants or surrounding sediment and form ash on burning. Living plants absorb CO2 only while alive; once buried, no atmospheric gas is being added. Sunlight cannot reach buried material, so it plays no role in enriching carbon after burial.
Hence, the answer is Water and volatile substances are lost during coal formation.
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