Microfacies types of coal seams in Upper Silesian Coal Basin

Abstract

The microfacies character of Upper Silesian coal seams has been investigated on the ground of microlithotype analises. As a result following microfacies types of coal seams have been determined: I - basic type, the most common one, with coal composed predominantely of vitrite and trimacerite, both of them exceeding 15% amount; other microlithotype groups are in minority; II - vitrite type where only vitrite exceedes 15% and other microlithotype groups are in minority; III - clarite type, where apart of vitrite and trimacerite also clarite exceedes 15% of total amount; IV - durite-inertite type where apart of vitrite and trimacerite also either durile of inertite (or both) exceedes 15 % of total amount; V - mixed type where apart of vitrite and trimacerite also clarite and either durite or inertite (or both) exceedes 15% of total amount; VI - carbominerite type where apart of vi trite and trimacerite as well as other microlithotype groups also carbominerite exceedes 15%. The distribution of these types throughout the Upper Carboniferous succession in Upper Silesian Coal Basin, compared with macrofacial development of associated rocks, suggest following conclusions: 1 - there is uniformity in macro-and microfacies in Upper Silesian coal-bearing formation; 2 - the microfacies character of Upper Silesian coals can be used as an indicator of their genetic conditions; 3 - forest swamps were the main source for coal seam formation but during Westphalian A and B also calamitean reeds played probably also an important role; 4 - the microfacies characteristics of coal seams can be applied in practice for predicting their industrial application.