Palynological studies of Middle Pennsylvanian coal beds of the proposed Pennsylvania system stratotype in West Virginia. Professional paper

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6546247

Kosanke, R M

Forty-one different sets of coal samples and adjacent strata of the Kanawha Formation, including 153 individual samples, were prepared and examined in detail and 16 additional sets of coal samples and adjacent strata from the Charleston Sandstone, including 37 individual samples, were prepared and examined in detail. Species of the genus Lycospora dominate the palynomorph assemblages throughout much of the Kanawha Formation. Exceptions to this dominance are sporadic abundances of Densosporites, Endosporites and Radiizonates. Laevigatosporites by itself and combined with Torispora in the lower part of the Charleston Sandstone dominates these palynomorph assemblages. Some paleobotanical evidence suggests that species of Densosporites, Endosporites, and Radiizonates are related to herbaceous plants. Periodically throughout the Kanawha Formation these taxa dominate palynomorph assemblages of some of the coal beds. This may suggest herbaceous plants replace arborescent swamp plants as the primary contributor to these coal beds.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Alexandria, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6546247
• Report Number(s): PB-89-124184/XAB; PP-1455
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
COAL DEPOSITS
ECOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION III
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PALEONTOLOGY
PALYNOLOGY
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
USA
WEST VIRGINIA