Petrological and geochemical investigations of Rajpardi lignite deposit, Gujarat, India

Abstract

The present paper entails the petrographic and chemical characteristics of the lignite samples drawn from the Rajpardi lignite deposit of Bharuch district, Gujarat. This lignite contains a high concentration of huminite which is dominated by telohuminite, followed by detrohuminite. Liptinite and inertinite macerals are very low in concentration. The dominant microlithotype is humite. Its elevated volatile matter and high hydrogen content depicts its perhydrous nature. The study reveals that this lignite originated in a limno-telmatic to telmatic condition. The paleomire is further characterized as a wet moor having moderate to high flooding with good tissue preservation and increasing bacterial activity.