Maceral Association in Coal-bearing Formation of Mae Than Coal Mine in Lampang, Thailand - Implication for Depositional Environment 10.32526/ennrj/20/202100166
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Published:
Nov 25, 2021
Keywords:
Maceral Coal petrography Mae Than Miocene Lignite Paleoclimate
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Abstract
The Mae Than Basin in Lampang Province contains low-ranked coal reserves of northern Thailand. Coal seams and ball clays were mined in the southern part of the basin. This study focuses on the coal petrography of coal samples collected from the upper coal seam in the Mae Than Coal Mine. Both the organic and inorganic constituents provide information on the nature and characteristics of the coal, reflecting the physical and chemical behaviors of coal. Petrological analysis reveals that the Mae Than coals contain more huminite than liptinite macerals, while inertinite is negligible. Huminite occurs mainly in the form of texto-ulminite, textinite, densinite, and gelinite. Liptinite consists of sporinite, cutinite, resinite, suberinite, liptodetrinite, and terpenite. The morphology of cutinite, sporinite, and the presence of terpenite indicate that the peat-forming vegetation may consist of conifers. In addition to the macerals, the coal samples contain a small to moderate amount of mineral matter. Silica and clay minerals are the main minerals found in the cavities and between the cracks of the coals. The assemblage of macerals and mineral matter indicates that the Mae Than coals were formed mainly from common peat-forming vegetation, possibly conifers, in a freshwater forest swamp or mire in a warm temperate climate. In addition, the high degree of preservation of the macerals indicates a high water table and suggests rheotrophic, anoxic, limnotelmatic to telmatic conditions during deposition.
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Sattraburut, T. ., & Ratanasthien, B. . (2021). Maceral Association in Coal-bearing Formation of Mae Than Coal Mine in Lampang, Thailand - Implication for Depositional Environment: 10.32526/ennrj/20/202100166. Environment and Natural Resources Journal, 20(1), 96–109. Retrieved from https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ennrj/article/view/245652
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References
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30. Sangtong P, Wannakomol A, Terakulsatit B. Petroleum potential of Mae Teep organic sediments, northern Thailand. International Journal of GEOMATE 2021;20(80):128-34.
31. Sangtong P. Depositional Environment and Petroleum Source Rock Potential in Mae Teep Basin, Lampang Province [dissertation]. Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Suranaree University of Technology; 2018.
32. Schlanser KM, Diefendorf AF, West CK, Greenwood DR, Basinger JF, Meyer HW, et al. Conifers are a major source of sedimentary leaf wax n-alkanes when dominant in the landscape: Case studies from the Paleogene. Organic Geochemistry 2020;147:Article No. 104069.
33. Sepulchre P, Jolly D, Ducrocq S, Chaimanee Y, Jaeger JJ. Mid-Tertiary palaeoenvironment in Thailand: Pollen evidences. Climate of the Past Discussions 2009;5:709-34.
34. Silaratana T. Effects of Environmental Factors on Accumulation of Fossil Fuel Deposits in Northern Thailand [dissertation]. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai University; 2005.
35. Smyth, M. A siderite-pyrite association in Australian coals. Fuel 1966;45:221-31.
36. Songtham W, Ratanasthien B, Midenhall DC, Singharajwarapan S, Kandharosa W. Oligocene-miocene climatic changes in Northern Thailand resulting from extrusion tectonics of Southeast Asian Landmass. Science Asia 2003;29:221-33.
37. Songtham W, Ratanasthien B, Watanasak M, Midenhall DC, Singharajwarapan S, Kandharosa W. Tertiary basin evolution in Northern Thailand: A palynological point of view. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 2005;53(1):17-32.
38. Songtham W. Stratigraphic Correlation of Tertiary Basins in Northern Thailand Using Algae Pollen and Spore [dissertation]. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai University; 2003.
39. Stach E, Mackowsky MT, Teichmüller M, Taylor GH, Chandra G, Teichmüller R. Stach’s Textbook of Coal Petrography. Berlin, Germany: Gebrüder Bornstaeger; 1982.
40. Standard Association of Australia. Australian Standard AS2856.2 Coal petrography Part 2: Maceral analysis. New South Wales, Australia: Standards Australia; 1998.
41. Sun Y, Zhao C, Püttmann W, Kalkreuth W, Qin S. Evidence of widespread wildfires in a coal seam from the middle Permian of the North China Basin. Lithosphere 2017;9(4):595-608.
42. Susilawati R. Mineral matter in coal. Buletin Sumber Daya Geologi 2015;10(1):1-14.
43. Sykes R, Lindqvist JK. Diagenetic quartz and amorphous silica in New Zealand coals. Organic Geochemistry 1993;20:855-66.
44. Sýkorová I, Pickel W, Christanis K, Wolf M, Taylor GH, Flores D. Classification of huminite: ICCP System 1994. International Journal of Coal Geology 2005;62:85-106.
45. Vorres KS. Chemistry of Mineral Matter and Ash in Coal: An Overview. Washington, DC, USA: American Chemistry Society; 1986.
46. Wagner N, Eble C, Hower J, Falcon R. Petrology and palynology of select coal samples from the Permian Waterberg Coalfield, South Africa. International Journal of Coal Geology 2019;204:85-101.
47. Wang S, Shao L, Wang D, Hilton J, Guo B, Lu J. Controls on accumulation of anomalously thick coals: Implications for sequence stratigraphic analysis. Sedimentology 2020;67: 991-1013.
48. Wang S, Shao L, Li J, Li J, Jones T, Zhu M, et al. Coal petrology of the Yimin formation (Albian) in the Hailar Basin, NE China: Paleoenvironments and wildfires during peat formation. Cretaceous Research 2021;124:Article No. 104815.
49. Ward CR. Analysis and significance of mineral matter in coal seams. International Journal of Coal Geology 2002;50:135-68.
50. Watanasak M. Palynological zonation of Mid-Tertiary intermontane basins in Northern Thailand. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Intermontane Basins: Geology and Resources; 1989 Jan 30 - Feb 2; Chiang Mai: Thailand; 1989.
51. Watanasak M. Mid Tertiary palynostratigraphy of Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences 1990;4:203-18.
52. Xie P, Hower JC, Liu X. Petrographic characteristics of the brecciated coals from Panxian county, Guizhou, Southwestern China. Fuel 2019;243:1-9.
53. Xiuyi T. Mineral matter in coal. In: Gao J, editor. Coal, Oil Shale, Natural Bitumen, Heavy Oil, and Peat - Volume 1. Oxford, USA: EOLSS Publication; 2011.
54. Xu Y, Uhl D, Zhang N, Zhao C, Qin S, Liang H. Evidence of widespread wildfires in coal seams from the Middle Jurassic of Northwest China and its impact on paleoclimate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2020; 559:Article No. 109819.
2. Dai S, Guo W, Nechaev VP, French D, Ward CR, Spiro BF, et al. Modes of occurrence and origin of mineral matter in the Palaeogene coal (No. 19-2) from the Hunchun Coalfield, Jilin Province, China. International Journal of Coal Geology 2018;189:94-110.
3. Del Fueyo GM, Gnaedinger SC, Diaz MAL, Carrizo MA. Permineralized conifer-like leaves from the Jurassic of Patagonia (Argentina) and its paleoenvironmental implications. Earth Sciences 2019;91:e20180363.
4. Diessel CFK. An appraisal of coal facies based on maceral characteristics. Asurealian Coal Geology 1982;4(2):2-8.
5. Diessel CFK. The correlation between coal facies and depositional environment. Proceedings of the 20th Symposium of the Advances in the Study of the Sydney Basin. New South Wales: University of Newcastle; 1986. p. 19-22.
6. Diessel CFK. Coal-Bearing Depositional Systems. Berlin-Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag; 1992.
7. Edress NAA, Opluštil S, Sýkorová I. Depositional environments of the Jurassic Maghara main coal seam in north central Sinai, Egypt. Journal of Asian Earth Science 2018;140:241-55.
8. Endo S. Some older Tertiary plants from northern Thailand. Japanese Journal of Geology and Geography 1963;34(2-4):177-80.
9. Endo S. A supplementary note on the Paleogene Li flora in northern Thailand. In: Kobayashi T, Toriyama R, editors. Geology and Palaeontology of Southeast Asia. Tokyo, Japan: The University of Tokyo Press; 1966. p. 165-9.
10. Geological Survey Division. Geological Map of Thailand 1:250,000 Changwat Uttaradit NE47-11. Bangkok, Thailand: Geological Survey Division, Department of Mineral Resources; 1974.
11. Gibling M, Ratanasthien B. Cenozoic basins of Thailand and their coal deposits: A preliminary report. Geological Society of Malaysia, Bulletin 1980;13:27-42.
12. Grote PJ, Srisuk P. Fossil Pinus from the Cenozoic of Thailand. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 2021;295:Article No. 104501.
13. International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology. The new inertinite classification (ICCP System 1994). Fuel 2001; 80:459-471.
14. Jenkins RG, Walker PL. Analysis of mineral matter in coal. In: Karr C, editor. Analytical Methods for Coal and Coal Products. New York: Academic Press; 1978. p. 265-92.
15. Kalaitzidis S, Bouzinos A, Papazisimou S, Christanis K. A short-term establishment of forest fen habitat during Pliocene lignite formation in the Ptolemis Basin, NW Macedonia, Greece. International Journal of Coal Geology 2004;57:243-63.
16. Kasetsomboon N. Petroleum Source Rock Potential in Mae Than Basin, Lampang Province [dissertation]. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai University; 2012.
17. Leslie AB. Interpreting the function of saccate pollen in ancient conifers and other seed plants. International Journal of Plant Sciences 2008;169(8):1038-45.
18. Morley C, Charusiri P, Watkinson IM. Structural geology of Thailand during the Cenozoic. In: Ridd MF, Barber AJ, Crow MJ, editors. The Geology of Thailand. London, United Kingdom: Geological Society; 2011. p. 273-334.
19. Morley C, Racey A. Tertiary stratigraphy. In: Ridd MF, Barber AJ, Crow MJ, editors. The Geology of Thailand. London, United Kingdom: Geological Society; 2011. p. 223-71.
20. Muenlek S. Coal geology of Mae Than Basin, Amphoe Mae Tha, Lampang. In: Piancharoen C, editor. A National Conference on Geologic Resources of Thailand: Potential for Future Development. Bangkok: Department of Mineral Resources; 1992. p. 112-21.
21. Mukhopadhyay P. Organic Petrography and Organic Geochemistry of Tertiary Coals from Texas in Relation to Depositional Environment and Hydrocarbon Generation. Taxas, USA: Bureau of Economic Geology; 1989.
22. Oskay RG, Christanis K, Salman M. Coal features and depositional environment of the Northern Karapinar-Ayranci coal deposit (Konya, Central Turkey). Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences 2019;28:1-15.
23. Passey SR. The habit and origin of siderite spherules in the Eocene coal-bearing Prestfjall Formation, Faroe Islands. International Journal of Coal Geology 2014;122:76-90.
24. Pickel W, Kus J, Flores D, Kalaitzidis S, Christanis K, Cardott BJ, et al. Classification of liptinite - ICCP System 1994. International Journal of Coal Geology 2017;169:40-61.
25. Pophare AM, Ramteke CP, Prasad ALV. Petrographic characteristics of coal seams of Kamptee Coalfield, Central India. In: Shrivastava KL, Kumar A, editors. Geo-Resources. Jodhpur, India: Scientific Publishers (India); 2014. p. 321-38.
26. Qin S, Sun Y, Tang Y, Jin K. Early diagenetic transformation of terpenoids from conifers in the aromatic hydrocarbon fraction: A long term, low temperature maturation experiment. Organic Geochemistry 2012;53:99-108.
27. Ratanasthien B, Kandharosa W, Chompusri S, Chartprasert S. Liptinite in coal and oil source rocks in Northern Thailand. Journal of Asian Earth Science 1999;17:301-6.
28. Ratanasthien B. Coal deposits. In: Ridd MF, Barber AJ, Crow MJ, editors. The Geology of Thailand. London, United Kingdom: Geological Society; 2011. p. 393-414.
29. Sahay VK. Limitation of petrographic indies in depositional environment interpretation of coal deposits. Central European Journal of Geosciences 2011;3(3):287-90.
30. Sangtong P, Wannakomol A, Terakulsatit B. Petroleum potential of Mae Teep organic sediments, northern Thailand. International Journal of GEOMATE 2021;20(80):128-34.
31. Sangtong P. Depositional Environment and Petroleum Source Rock Potential in Mae Teep Basin, Lampang Province [dissertation]. Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Suranaree University of Technology; 2018.
32. Schlanser KM, Diefendorf AF, West CK, Greenwood DR, Basinger JF, Meyer HW, et al. Conifers are a major source of sedimentary leaf wax n-alkanes when dominant in the landscape: Case studies from the Paleogene. Organic Geochemistry 2020;147:Article No. 104069.
33. Sepulchre P, Jolly D, Ducrocq S, Chaimanee Y, Jaeger JJ. Mid-Tertiary palaeoenvironment in Thailand: Pollen evidences. Climate of the Past Discussions 2009;5:709-34.
34. Silaratana T. Effects of Environmental Factors on Accumulation of Fossil Fuel Deposits in Northern Thailand [dissertation]. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai University; 2005.
35. Smyth, M. A siderite-pyrite association in Australian coals. Fuel 1966;45:221-31.
36. Songtham W, Ratanasthien B, Midenhall DC, Singharajwarapan S, Kandharosa W. Oligocene-miocene climatic changes in Northern Thailand resulting from extrusion tectonics of Southeast Asian Landmass. Science Asia 2003;29:221-33.
37. Songtham W, Ratanasthien B, Watanasak M, Midenhall DC, Singharajwarapan S, Kandharosa W. Tertiary basin evolution in Northern Thailand: A palynological point of view. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 2005;53(1):17-32.
38. Songtham W. Stratigraphic Correlation of Tertiary Basins in Northern Thailand Using Algae Pollen and Spore [dissertation]. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai University; 2003.
39. Stach E, Mackowsky MT, Teichmüller M, Taylor GH, Chandra G, Teichmüller R. Stach’s Textbook of Coal Petrography. Berlin, Germany: Gebrüder Bornstaeger; 1982.
40. Standard Association of Australia. Australian Standard AS2856.2 Coal petrography Part 2: Maceral analysis. New South Wales, Australia: Standards Australia; 1998.
41. Sun Y, Zhao C, Püttmann W, Kalkreuth W, Qin S. Evidence of widespread wildfires in a coal seam from the middle Permian of the North China Basin. Lithosphere 2017;9(4):595-608.
42. Susilawati R. Mineral matter in coal. Buletin Sumber Daya Geologi 2015;10(1):1-14.
43. Sykes R, Lindqvist JK. Diagenetic quartz and amorphous silica in New Zealand coals. Organic Geochemistry 1993;20:855-66.
44. Sýkorová I, Pickel W, Christanis K, Wolf M, Taylor GH, Flores D. Classification of huminite: ICCP System 1994. International Journal of Coal Geology 2005;62:85-106.
45. Vorres KS. Chemistry of Mineral Matter and Ash in Coal: An Overview. Washington, DC, USA: American Chemistry Society; 1986.
46. Wagner N, Eble C, Hower J, Falcon R. Petrology and palynology of select coal samples from the Permian Waterberg Coalfield, South Africa. International Journal of Coal Geology 2019;204:85-101.
47. Wang S, Shao L, Wang D, Hilton J, Guo B, Lu J. Controls on accumulation of anomalously thick coals: Implications for sequence stratigraphic analysis. Sedimentology 2020;67: 991-1013.
48. Wang S, Shao L, Li J, Li J, Jones T, Zhu M, et al. Coal petrology of the Yimin formation (Albian) in the Hailar Basin, NE China: Paleoenvironments and wildfires during peat formation. Cretaceous Research 2021;124:Article No. 104815.
49. Ward CR. Analysis and significance of mineral matter in coal seams. International Journal of Coal Geology 2002;50:135-68.
50. Watanasak M. Palynological zonation of Mid-Tertiary intermontane basins in Northern Thailand. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Intermontane Basins: Geology and Resources; 1989 Jan 30 - Feb 2; Chiang Mai: Thailand; 1989.
51. Watanasak M. Mid Tertiary palynostratigraphy of Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences 1990;4:203-18.
52. Xie P, Hower JC, Liu X. Petrographic characteristics of the brecciated coals from Panxian county, Guizhou, Southwestern China. Fuel 2019;243:1-9.
53. Xiuyi T. Mineral matter in coal. In: Gao J, editor. Coal, Oil Shale, Natural Bitumen, Heavy Oil, and Peat - Volume 1. Oxford, USA: EOLSS Publication; 2011.
54. Xu Y, Uhl D, Zhang N, Zhao C, Qin S, Liang H. Evidence of widespread wildfires in coal seams from the Middle Jurassic of Northwest China and its impact on paleoclimate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2020; 559:Article No. 109819.