Botanical control on banding character in two New Zealand coal beds

Floral assemblage of the “D” coal seam (Cretaceous): Implications for banding characteristics in New Zealand coal seams

“…Banding in New Zealand coal seams has previously been ascribed to the occurrence of gymnosperms in the paleomire flora (Shearer & Moore 1994b). Because of the low chemical degradability of gymnosperm secondary xylem, Shearer & Moore (1994b) proposed that this tissue would be preferentially preserved over that of angiosperm secondary xylem in Cretaceous and Tertiary coal seams.…”

“…Banding in New Zealand coal seams has previously been ascribed to the occurrence of gymnosperms in the paleomire flora (Shearer & Moore 1994b). Because of the low chemical degradability of gymnosperm secondary xylem, Shearer & Moore (1994b) proposed that this tissue would be preferentially preserved over that of angiosperm secondary xylem in Cretaceous and Tertiary coal seams. To date, this inference has been supported by the virtually complete absence of angiosperm wood in coals that have been investigated, but insufficient palynological data have been available to determine whether band thickness and frequency relate primarily to floral assemblage or to mire chemistry.…”

Cretaceous carbonaceous rocks from the Norfolk Ridge system, Southwest Pacific: Implications for regional petroleum potential

“…The assemblage of organic matter within sample RE9302-5-5 is dominated by higher plant-derived remains, constituting type III kerogen, with the abundance of wellpreserved wood tissue suggesting derivation from a gymnosperm-dominated vegetation (e.g., Shearer & Moore 1994). Carbonaceous material within the mudstones was not examined petrographically but is expected to be comparable to that within the sandstones.…”

Stratigraphic architecture and coal character of Late Permian Fort Cooper Coal Measures, Bowen Basin, Queensland

“…The fine-grained matrix of dull or durain bands originates from various less woody or herbaceous vegetation, physical degradation of any or all plant matter, as well as the fine-grained products of oxidation via dry conditions, fire, or fungal decay and dispersed detrital clay (Stach et al, 1982). This suggests that the variation in water level and the succession of different plant communities has a direct impact on the resulting lithotype variability, composition and quality of a given coal seam (Lamberson et al, 1991;Shearer and Moore, 1994;Shearer et al, 1995). It has also been argued in the literature that the type of vegetation has a major role in resulting coal lithotype due to the fact that some plants are more resistant to decay than others (Shearer and Moore, 1994;Shearer et al, 1995).…”

“…This suggests that the variation in water level and the succession of different plant communities has a direct impact on the resulting lithotype variability, composition and quality of a given coal seam (Lamberson et al, 1991;Shearer and Moore, 1994;Shearer et al, 1995). It has also been argued in the literature that the type of vegetation has a major role in resulting coal lithotype due to the fact that some plants are more resistant to decay than others (Shearer and Moore, 1994;Shearer et al, 1995). The abundance of inorganic mudstone or sandstone bands in coal indicates a frequent clastic influx of water or airborne material in peat mire (Marchioni and Kalkreuth, 1991).…”