Petroleum is called a ______resource because it cannot be naturally replaced in the foreseeable future.

Options

A. Non renewable
B. renewable
C. exhaustible
D. inexhautible

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks what type of resource petroleum is, specifically noting that it cannot be naturally replaced in the foreseeable future.

2. **Identifying Resource Types**: We need to consider the different types of resources:
- **Renewable Resources**: These are resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass.
- **Non-Renewable Resources**: These are resources that do not replenish at a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction in the foreseeable future, such as fossil fuels (including petroleum), coal, and natural gas.
- **Exhaustible Resources**: These are resources that can be used up completely, similar to non-renewable resources.
- **Inexhaustible Resources**: These are resources that are available in unlimited supply, like solar energy.

3. **Analyzing Petroleum**: Petroleum is formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient marine organisms subjected to heat and pressure. Once extracted and used, it cannot be replenished within a human lifetime or even many generations.

4. **Conclusion**: Given that petroleum cannot be replaced in the foreseeable future and is used up when consumed, it fits the definition of a non-renewable resource.

5. **Final Answer**: Therefore, the answer to the question is: Petroleum is called a **non-renewable** resource.

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