Geochemical and petrological characteristics coupled with stable isotope of the Permian Gondwana coals from Tatapani–Ramkola Coalfield, Son–Mahanadi Basin, India: Insights for paleodepositional and paleoclimate conditions
Neeraj Kumar Upadhayay , Amiya Shankar Naik , Shweta Rai , Prakash K. Singh , Alok Kumar , Afikah Rahim , Mohammed Hail Hakimi , Govind Kumar , Pramod Kumar Rajak
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the quality and rank of the Tatapani-Ramkola coal and decipher the paleoclimate and depositional conditions during coal formation, explicitly focusing on vegetation sources, detrital contributions, and paleomire conditions. The studied coals exhibit a moisture between 4.0 % and 12.8 % and a volatile matter yield in the range of 28.8–49.5 wt% (dry ash–free basis), classifying them as subbituminous–A to bituminous in rank. This finding is supported by the vitrinite reflectance (VRo) values between 0.5 and 0.7 %. Maceral compositions reveal the dominance of vitrinite (average 47.8–62.4 %) followed by inertinite (average 13.0–29.9 %) and liptinite (average 8.5–13.1 %). This finding of the maceral characteristics together with the mineral composition (primarily clay, carbonate, and sulfide), show that the Tatapani–Ramkola coals were formed under mildly oxic–to–anoxic conditions in limno–telmatic to telmatic paleomires and contributions from forest and herbaceous vegetation. Geochemical isotope indicators, such as δ13C (−24.149 ± 0.825 ‰) and δ15N (+2.710 ± 0.344 ‰), suggest that the coals formed from C3 land plants under warm and humid climate conditions. Major oxide ratios indicate a moderate to high degree of chemical weathering in the source area, further confirming the prevailing warm and humid climate during the peat accumulation. The detrital/authigenic index (DAI) suggests significant detrital influence and authigenic sediment formation in the Tatapani–Ramkola coals. This study provides critical insights into the depositional history and paleoclimate of the Tatapani–Ramkola Basin, contributing to a deeper understanding of Permian coal formation processes.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Coal Geology deals with fundamental and applied aspects of the geology and petrology of coal, oil/gas source rocks and shale gas resources. The journal aims to advance the exploration, exploitation and utilization of these resources, and to stimulate environmental awareness as well as advancement of engineering for effective resource management.