We all know that some Westphalian coal beds are composed mainly of arborescent lycopods. So how do we know what the plant origin is of the rest of the coal?
From coal balls. Coal balls are carbonate concretions formed in a very early stage within peats. These coal balls contain excellently preserved plant remains. They are not affected by temperature (and pressure) that transform peat to coal. Thus, in contrast to the surrounding coal, in which usually no recognizable remains are preserved (except spores, pollen and cuticles), coal balls show the original composition of the peat.
Hi Hans, Certainly coal balls are the best way to determine the plant composition of the the peat (coal). It is too bad that we don't have more horizons with coal balls, but we have learned a great deal from them. Thanks for your input. Paul
In the absence of coal balls there are other ways of determining the plant composition of the peat (coal).in Paleozoic coals. Most coals in Euramerica have a certain of fusain due to a process called fusinization. Much (all?) is due to natural fires in the swamp. The process involved charring the tissue and other components. It is possible to recognize the kind of tissue and even the type of plant from which it came.
Yes, I am alway doubt that what the origin of the “stone-like-coal” in South Qingling?
Daba Fold Zone (DFZ) of South Qinling Mountains in central China is the main producing area of “stone-like-coal” (SLC) and has large reserves, over 1000 Mt. The term of “stone-like-coal” (SLC) was sanctioned by the China Natural Science Terms, Examination and Approval Committee (CTC) in 1994. The “SLC” was defined as “combustible shale with low caloric value and high degree of coalification derived from the remains of thallophyta during the action of paludification and coalification in shallow seas, lagoons, and gulfs in the early Paleozoic” .
All SLCs in DFZ are high rank, anthracite coal but not only limit in the early Paleozoic, and also in the Ediacaran. The SLCs occur as lenticular shaped bodies enveloped in the trachytic agglomerate of Silurian or sandwiched in fault zones or in the axes of folds in the Cambrian strata and Ediacaran. The SLC can be found in the any part of Lower Paleozoic strata with the exception of the lower Cambrian and Edicara poor quality stone-like coal, most occurrences have no distinct stratigraphic position and cannot be correlated.
Hi Kunli, I have no real answer for you except to suggest that it may be due to graphite deposits along faults. Other may be able to help you with this question. Thank you.Best wishes, Paul Lyons.
I think the occurrence of Monoletes in the surrounding coal would endorse the probability of Medullosa in the coal.
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