Petrographic and sporological studies of some coals from Talcher coalfield, Orissa, India

Abstract

The present paper outlines petrographic and sporological studies of coals from Nandira and South-Balanda mines of Talcher coalfield in the Mahanadi Coal Basin, Orissa, India. No previous knowledge exists about petro-palynological characters of these coals although general microstructural details of Talcher coals have been established. The coals investigated are dull in appearance and non-banded. They are composed of Durain, Vitrain and Fusain components. Durain forms the main component with narrow short black lenticles of Fusain. The microscopic study of Durain component indicates Vitrinite, Exinite, and Inertinite as main macerals. Exinite constitutes microspores, megaspores and microsporangia. Vitrain and Fusain components under microscope show Vitrinite and Fusinite macerals showing woody structure. Trimacerites form the bulk of the microlithotypes. Sporological studies of these coals reveal a large variety of miospores. The miospore assemblage in the coals comprises of trilete, monolete, monosaccate and disaccate forms. Genera Punctatisporites Parasaccites, Virkkipollenitcs, Sulcatisporites, Lunatisporites, Stotersporites, Faunipollenites and Cuneatisporites are well represented. Saccate sporomorphs constitute a large group in the miospore assemblage. Among saccate forms the genus Parasaccites dominates in miospore distribution. Petro-palynological characters of the coals investigated indicate that by and large they are of non-banded Durain component composed mostly of saccate forms. (predominated by monosaccates), resembling the main seam of Talcher coalfield in palyno-petrographic composition. Presence of mineral matter, high proportion of Inertinite and Exinite constituted by spores, and less amount of vitrain and Clarain indicate high moisture content and low grade quality coals.