Paleoecology and taphonomy of middle Pennsylvanian-age coal-swamp plants: Herrin coal-ball peat and coal, Peabody Camp 11 mine, Herrin Coal, western Kentucky
The objective of this research was to develop a method for analyzing the flora of Pennsylvanian-age coal swamps directly from etched polished surfaces of coal. Vegetation of two coal-ball profiles and four coal column samples from the Herrin Coal Member (Kentucky No. 11), Carbondale Formation at Peabody Coal Company's Camp 11 mine in western Kentucky were compared. An estimated 89.5% of the coal can be anatomically identified. The estimated abundances of major plant groups (lycopods, ferns, and pteriodosperms) in coal-ball profiles and in coal differ by less than 10% after accounting for differential compaction of plant tissues. Standard deviations in taxonomic and maceral composition among coal columns are generally less than 2%. In the coal, pteriodosperm abundance is positively correlated with underlying shale partings showing that pteridosperms are favored by either higher nutrient levels or disturbance. The occurrence of Lepidophloios cf. johnsonii at Camp 11 extends the range of the Lepidophloios wunschianus group. In the third of the four benches in the seam a succession from Sigillaria-containing zones to zones dominated by Lepidophloios hallii is interpreted as a shift towards wetter conditions. Criteria for distinguishing between domed and planar swamps are discussed. These include: distribution of partings, type of plant succession, and changes in diversity, average plant size, preservational quality and sporinite content. The only evidence favoring the possible development of a peat-dome is the infrequency of mineral partings in the third of the four benches.
- Research Organization:
- Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6453768
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COAL DEPOSITS
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PALEONTOLOGY
KENTUCKY
COAL
COAL SEAMS
FOSSILS
MACERALS
PEAT
PENNSYLVANIAN PERIOD
PLANTS
SWAMPS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC MATTER
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESOURCES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
WETLANDS
011000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration