Palynomorphs of the Hagel Bed (lignite), Sentinel Butte Formation, North Dakota

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6125864

Steadman, E N

The Hagel bed is an important economic lignite and is the lowermost named lignite in the Sentinel Butte Formation. The Hagel bed extends throughout the Knife River Basin coal-mining area of central North Dakota. Stratigraphic sections were measured from the highwalls of the Center mine, Glenharold mine and Falkirk mine. Samples from these stratigraphic sections were described and analyzed (using standard palynological techniques) for their palynomorph content. Pollen and spores proved to be well preserved and abundant. Over seventy palynomorph species and morphotypes were identified. Listed in Table 1 are some of the significant species present and their modern-day equivalents. The genera present suggest a wet, temperature, depositional environment. The palynologic data has been quantified (using conventional percentage-frequency data) to elucidate trends present. The samples have a relatively consistent palynoflora and tyically contain a combination of lowland swamp taxa (e.q. Sphagnum, and some Taxodiaceae) and an upland element (e.q. Corylus, Alnus, Pinus). This combination is interpreted as representing taxa living in the depositional environment (a swamp) along with taxa brought in as detritus from adjacent upland source areas. Palynomorphs of the family Taxodiaceae (such as redwoods, cyprus, and yews) are commonly the dominant forms in Hagel bed samples and are a major constituent in all of them. An abundance of this sort of microfossil suggests a very moist forest-moor type of depositional environment. The abundance of the Taxodiaceae in the associated claystones and silstones suggests that these were deposited in swamp marginal environment in the area studied. 3 references, 1 table.

• Research Organization: North Dakota Univ., Grand Forks (USA). Energy Research Center
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-83FE60181
• OSTI ID: 6125864
• Report Number(s): DOE/FE/60181-92; CONF-850498-1; ON: DE85008073
• Resource Relation: Conference: North Dakota Academy of Science conference, Minot, ND, USA, 26 Apr 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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