Coal: Classification, Coalification, Mineralogy, Trace Element Chemistry and Oil and Gas Potential

This volume, the second of two containing papers presented at the 28th International Geological Congress (Washington, D.C., 9-19 July 1989), focuses on the transformation of peat by progressive coalification into lignite and subbituminous, bituminous, and anthracite coals. It will be of interest to a broad spectrum of readers, including specialists in peat and coal studies, and also teachers, students, and experts in applied peat and coal science. The subject and geographical indices allow easy access to detailed information.

Table of Contents:
Preface and Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part I: Coal Classification. A progress report on the Alpern coal classification (B. Alpern et al.). The rank evaluation of South Brazilian Gondwana coals on the basis of different chemical and physical parameters (Z.C. Correa da Silva). Part II: Early Stages of Coalification (Lignite and Subbituminous Coal). Correlations between the microscopic and chemical changes in wood during peatification and early coalification: a canonical variant study (S.A. Stout et al.). Organic geochemical studies of the transformation of gynmospermous xylem during peatification and coalification to subbituminous coal (P.G. Hatcher et al.). Studies of angiospermous wood in Australian brown coal by nuclear magnetic resonance and analytical pyrolysis: new insights into the early coalification process (P.G. Hatcher et al.). Petrographic and coalification variations in the Eastern Southland lignites, New Zealand (P.M. Black). Coal petrology and anomalous coalification of Middle and Late Pleistocene peat and soft brown coal from the Tengchong Basin, Western Yunnan, People's Republic of China (Jin Kuili, Qin Yong). Part III: Late Stages of Coalification (Bituminous and Anthracitic Coals). The thermal setting of Carboniferous basins in relation to the Variscan orogeny in Central and Western Europe (P. Robert). Distribution and coalification patters in Canadian bituminous and anthracite coals (P.A. Hacquebard, A.R. Cameron). Regional coalification pattern of Lower Cretaceous coal-bearing strata, Rocky Mountain Foothills and foreland, Canada - implications for future exploration (W. Kalkreuth et al.). Semianthracite, anthracite and meta-anthracite in the central Canadian Cordillera: their geology, characteristics and coalification history (R.M. Bustin, I. Moffat). Timing of organic maturation (coalification) relative to thrust faulting in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera (R.M. Bustin, T.D.J. England). Reflectance anisotropy of Upper Carboniferous coals in the Appalachian foreland basin, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. (J.R. Levine, A. Davis). The coalification of South African coal (C.P. Snyman, J. Barclay). Influence of tectonics on Permian coal-rank patterns in Australia (M.F. Middleton, J.W. Hunt). Coalification trends in Indian coals (D. Chandra, N.C. Chakrabarti). Characteristic nature of sedimentation and coalification in the Tertiary system of the Japanese Islands (R. Takahashi, A. Aihara). Part IV: Coal Mineralogy and Trace-element Chemistry. Minerals in bituminous coals of the Sydney basin (Australia) and the Illinois basin (U.S.A.) (C.R. Ward). Chemistry and origin of minor and trace elements in virtinite concentrates from a rank series from the eastern United States, England, and Australia (P.C. Lyons et al.). Part V: Oil and Gas Potential. Palaeoecologic trends and petroleum potential of Upper Carboniferous coal seams in Western Germany as revealed by their petrographic and organic geochemical characteristics (R. Littke, H.L.