Abstract
Coal, especially the inertinite in it, is highly sensitive to climate changes, showing an obvious response to paleoclimate conditions, in particular, to paleo-oxygen concentration (pO2). In this study, the inertinite abundance data of typical coal-forming periods in China were systematically collected and analyzed. Its characteristics and control factors were studied, and its evolution was established. Based on inertinite abundance data, pO2 evolution curves of various coal-forming periods in China were established, which fluctuated between 15% and 30% during the entire Phanerozoic. The inertinite abundance in coal deposits during Paleozoic in China was basically consistent with that of other areas of the world, while it was quite different globally from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic. The results show that the inertinite abundance in coal deposits is controlled by pO2 and other factors including climatic zones, plant differentiation, sedimentary environments, and tectonic activities. The inertinite abundance in coal deposits in China during the Jurassic was high, suggesting dry paleoclimate of inland China.
Highlights
Coal is considered to be highly sensitive to climate changes
2.1 Data sources In this study, the inertinite abundance data during each coal-forming period were obtained from a wide range of sources and samples as follows: Atlas for Coal Petrography of China (Yang 1996); Coal Petrology of China (Han 1996); published data in available academic resources; national coal resources potential evaluation report (Sun, 2013); parts of the provincial coal resources potential evaluation reports (Sun, 2013); and parts of the internal research reports, as well as portions of our own laboratory test results
In the area of Jiangsu–Shandong– Henan, this value ranges between 8.3% and 28.6%. (2) In Taiyuan Formation of Zisongian–Longlinian (Asselian–Artinskian) Stages, the mean inertinite abundance remains high with significant variations, with the highest value of 51.6% occurring in Junggar Basin, and the lowest of 8.5% occurring in northern Jiangsu Province
Summary
The maceral types and composition reflect paleoclimatic conditions during coal forming periods (Stach 1990), the inertinite abundance (Diessel 2010). In accordance with the findings presented by Scott (2000, 2002), Scott et al (2000), and Scott and Glasspool (2006, 2007), a correlation exists between the inertinite content in coal and the atmospheric oxygen levels at the time of formation. Researches involved in characteristics and evolution of inertinite abundance and pO2 during coalforming periods in geological history are relatively less, and no unified understanding has been acquired globally. We hope that our findings would help supplement and better understand the previous research results and in the global range to a certain extent
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