Geochemical characteristics of immature coal from Ihioma, Southeastern Nigeria and their implication for the paleoenvironment

Abstract

In this study investigation of lignite samples from coal mire of Ihioma mine in Orlu, Nigeria have been subjected to geochemical analysis to determine their mineralogical characteristics and paleodepositional environment. Petrographic data of composite samples indicate that these lignites were dominated by carbonate minerals followed by sulfides and clay minerals. Framboidal pyrites have also been recorded in the Ihioma lignite samples which reveals marine incursion into the study area. The occurrence of clay mineral in cell cavities, fissures and cracks indicates authigenic and syn-depositional origin of the Ihioma lignite. The study reveals Ihioma lignites deposited under terrestrial oxic to marine, terrestrial oxic to sub-oxic condition.

Keywords: Geochemistry, Petrographic, Environment, XRD, XRF, Lignite, Ihioma.