TY - JOUR
T1 - A critical re-examination of the petrology of the No. 5 Block coal in eastern Kentucky with special attention to the origin of inertinite macerals in the splint lithotypes
AU - Richardson, Allison R.
AU - Eble, Cortland F.
AU - Hower, James C.
AU - O'Keefe, Jennifer M.K.
PY - 2012/8/1
Y1 - 2012/8/1
N2 - The Pennsylvanian No. 5 Block coal bed in eastern Kentucky is one of several coals considered to be among the splint coals of the Central Appalachians. The coals are generally noted for their inertinite-rich dull lithotypes. Petrographic aspects of the lithologies reveal both fire-derived and degradation-derived inertinites in the assemblages. Fire is not an exclusive contributor to the origin to inertinite macerals; there are many other biological factors, such as the actions and interactions of fungi, bacteria, and insects, which must be considered in the alteration of plant materials to form inertinite macerals. Fungi physically and chemically alter plant tissues to form macerals with a distinct morphology and chemistry different than those formed from fire and other abiological processes. Insects, as secondary sources of wood degradation within a mire, are responsible for physical, such as boreholes from wood-consuming insects, and chemical alteration of plants. Degradation observed in macrinite may be boreholes from wood-consuming insects such as mites. Some inertinite macerals, in particular, macrinite, may be the result of inert fecal pellet conglomerates preserved in the mire. Overall, macerals of the same name can form from multiple and complex biological and abiological processes.
AB - The Pennsylvanian No. 5 Block coal bed in eastern Kentucky is one of several coals considered to be among the splint coals of the Central Appalachians. The coals are generally noted for their inertinite-rich dull lithotypes. Petrographic aspects of the lithologies reveal both fire-derived and degradation-derived inertinites in the assemblages. Fire is not an exclusive contributor to the origin to inertinite macerals; there are many other biological factors, such as the actions and interactions of fungi, bacteria, and insects, which must be considered in the alteration of plant materials to form inertinite macerals. Fungi physically and chemically alter plant tissues to form macerals with a distinct morphology and chemistry different than those formed from fire and other abiological processes. Insects, as secondary sources of wood degradation within a mire, are responsible for physical, such as boreholes from wood-consuming insects, and chemical alteration of plants. Degradation observed in macrinite may be boreholes from wood-consuming insects such as mites. Some inertinite macerals, in particular, macrinite, may be the result of inert fecal pellet conglomerates preserved in the mire. Overall, macerals of the same name can form from multiple and complex biological and abiological processes.
KW - Degradation
KW - Durain
KW - Fungi
KW - Inertinite
KW - Pennsylvanian
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861006116&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/j.coal.2012.04.003
DO - 10.1016/j.coal.2012.04.003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84861006116
SN - 0166-5162
VL - 98
SP - 41
EP - 49
JO - International Journal of Coal Geology
JF - International Journal of Coal Geology
ER -