Variation in chemistry of vitrinite and semifusinite as a function of associated inertinite content

Mastalerz, María; Bustin, R. Marc; Lamberson, M.N.

doi:10.1016/0166-5162(93)90022-3

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Although reflectance micro‐FTIR yields spectra of poorer quality than transmission micro‐FTIR, the straightforward sample preparation and the ability to investigate the exact same maceral area as in standard reflected light microscopy make this technique highly valuable (Mastalerz & Bustin, 1995). The particular strength of reflectance micro‐FTIR on the quantification of the abundance of chemical functional groups in coal's structure has been confirmed by several studies (Mastalerz et al, 1993a, b; Iglesias et al , 1995, Mastalerz & Bustin, 1995). In addition, the combination of reflectance micro‐FTIR and visible light microscopy further opens the possibility of mapping the abundance of functional groups across a region, which has been recently used in a variety of fields, such as conservation sciences (Mazzeo & Joseph, 2007), medical applications (Wentrup‐Byrne et al , 1995; Tesch et al , 2001) and polymer industries (Skrtic et al , 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Although the influence of liptinite and inertinite on the chemistry of adjacent macerals has been addressed in several studies (Hutton & Cook, 1980; Mastalerz et al , 1993a, b; Suárez‐Ruiz et al , 1994; Stankiewicz et al , 1996; Iglesias et al , 2006), no consensus has been reached about underlying mechanisms. Three possible causes have been suggested to explain alterations of vitrinite's chemistry in the proximity of liptinite and inertinite macerals: (1) botanic precursors and the depositional environment; (2) coalification history of particular samples and (3) intermaceral reactions during the early peat‐forming stage or during later coalification.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although general chemical variations among maceral groups have been extensively investigated, most of these studies are primarily based on the analyses of mechanically separated fractions, for example following density fractionation. Unfortunately, pure separates of macerals are practically impossible to obtain, especially for the macerals that are of small size or occur in small quantities in coals (Mastalerz & Bustin, 1993; Mastalerz et al , 1993a). Resinite and funginite are examples of small and relatively rare macerals for which it is difficult to determine chemical and spectroscopic properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies suggested that the associated liptinite (i.e. resinite, alginite) and inertinite macerals are likely to influence the chemical properties of vitrinite (Hutton & Cook, 1980; Mastalerz et al , 1993a, b; Suárez‐Ruiz et al , 1994; Stankiewicz et al , 1996; Iglesias et al , 2006). However, there is still no consensus on the reasons leading to the variation of vitrinite's chemistry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there is still no consensus on the reasons leading to the variation of vitrinite's chemistry. Mastalerz et al (1993a, b) and Suárez‐Ruiz et al (1994) attributed the cause for vitrinite's chemistry variations to botanical precursors and depositional environments. Stankiewicz et al (1996) pointed out that a microbial contribution to the lignin matrix could cause hydrogen enrichment in vitrinite, which would subsequently alter the chemical properties of vitrinite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mapping the chemistry of resinite, funginite and associated vitrinite in coal with micro‐FTIR

Chen

Caro

Mastalerz

et al. 2012

Journal of Microscopy

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Micro-FTIR mapping is a powerful tool for nondestructive, in situ chemical characterization of coal macerals at high resolution. In this study, the chemistry of resinite, funginite and associated vitrinite is characterized via reflectance micro-FTIR for Cenozoic high volatile C bituminous coals from Colombia. In comparison with the micro-FTIR spectra of vitrinite and inertinite, the corresponding spectra of liptinite macerals in the same coals are characterized by stronger aliphatic CH(x) absorbance at 3000-2800 and 1460-1450 cm⁻¹, but less intense aromatic C=C ring stretching vibration and aromatic CH(x) out-of-plane deformation at 700-900 cm⁻¹. The aliphatic components in resinite have the longest carbon chains and are least branched, bestowing the highest hydrocarbon generation potential on resinite among the three macerals studied. In contrast, funginite exhibits the strongest aromatic character, the highest aromaticity, the lowest 'A' factor values and the lowest C=O/C=C ratios among the three maceral groups. Vitrinite generally displays intermediate chemical characteristics. Reflectance micro-FTIR mapping of coal samples further confirms the aliphatic character of resinite and the aromatic nature of funginite. In addition, chemical mapping of resinite and adjacent vitrinite shows that vitrinite immediately adjacent to resinite displays higher aliphatic CH(x) stretching intensity than more distant vitrinite, suggesting that chemical components from resinite can diffuse over short distances into adjacent vitrinite, specifically causing hydrogen enrichment. It needs to be pointed out, however, that the region of influence is localized and limited to a narrow zone, whose extent likely depends on resinite's properties, such as its size and aliphatic material content. This way, the chemical map of resinite and associated vitrinite provides direct evidence of the intermaceral effects occurring during the peat forming stage or during later coalification. No influence of funginite (primarily fungal spores and sclerotia) on the chemistry of adjacent vitrinite has been demonstrated, which is likely due to the highly aromatic structure of this type of funginite.

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