Elemental composition and molecular structure of Botryococcus alginite in Westphalian cannel coals from Kentucky

Organic Geochemistry
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

Botryococcus-derived alginites from the Westphalian Skyline, No. 5 Block, Leatherwood (eastern Kentucky) and Breckinridge (western Kentucky) coal beds have been analyzed for elemental composition and functional group distribution using an electron microprobe and micro-FTIR, respectively. The alginites from Kentucky show a carbon range of 81.6 to 92% and oxygen content of 3.5 to 9.5%. Sulphur content ranges from 0.66 to 0.84% and Fe, Si, Al and Ca occur in minor quantities. FTIR analysis demonstrates dominant CH2, CH3 bands and subordinate aromatic carbon in all alginites. The major differences between alginites are in the ratios of CH2 and CH3 groups and ratios between aromatic bands in the out-of-plane region. These differences suggest that, although the ancient Botryococcus derives from a selective preservation of a resistant polymer, it undergoes molecular and some elemental changes through the rank equivalent to vitrinite reflectance of 0.5-0.85%. Other differences, such as intensities of ether bridges and those of carboxyl/carbonyl groups, are attributed to differences in depositional environments.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Elemental composition and molecular structure of Botryococcus alginite in Westphalian cannel coals from Kentucky
Series title Organic Geochemistry
DOI 10.1016/0146-6380(96)00027-7
Volume 24
Issue 3
Year Published 1996
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Organic Geochemistry
First page 301
Last page 308
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details