Abstract
A Pleistocene coastal lignite outcropping between the Muândeje Lake (Maputo Province) and Nhachuendezo Lake (Gaza Province) was recognized during geological mapping performed in 2009. However, these outcrops started to be investigated only in 2017 through paleontological fieldwork under the PaleoMoz Project (www.paleomoz.org). Here the chemical and petrographic compositions of a coal sample from this locality are reported. This new occurrence represents the first lignite occurrence from coastal Mozambique. The lignite is a Low Rank C (Lignite C) coal with a huminite reflectance of 0.248%. The results show that the lignite has high ash yield (46.5%, d); volatile matter (65.2%, daf), carbon (57.3%, daf), hydrogen (5.3%, daf) and nitrogen (2.3%, daf) contents are according to the rank of this coal; and, low total sulphur (1.8%, d). The coal is richer in huminite (86%) than liptinite (10%) and inertinite (4%). The maceral analysis indicates that lignite's peat precursor derived mainly from herbaceous plants and Botryococcus algae deposited in a topogenous mire (fen) under mesotrophic anoxic conditions. The water level remained above the paleomire's surface.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
