The effect of depositional environment on coal distribution and quality parameters in a portion of the highveld coalfield,South Africa |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Council for Geoscience, P.O. Box 572, Bellville 7535, South Africa;2. Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;3. Evolutionary Studies Institute and School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, South Africa;1. School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Extension Building, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD UK;2. Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, UK;3. School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland 4811, Australia;1. Geomarine Research, 19 Debron Ave, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand;2. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand;3. Department of Education, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan |
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| Abstract: | Eight successive lithofacies associations are identified and described; they are each laterally continuous and represent a certain depositional phase throughout the study area. These are related to sedimentary processes, from which a three-dimensional paleoenvironmental model is derived. Subsequently, coal distribution and coal quality characteristics are linked to the depositional features of the model.The identified depositional phasescommenced with subglacial, glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine settings, with associated Gilbert-type deltas. These are followed by meandering and minor braided fluvial settings, characterized by laterally and vertically highly variable lithofacies, in which the main coal-bearing strata were formed.Coal distribution and quality parameters (ash and volatile matter content, calorific value) are closely related to paleoenvironmental characteristics. Major changes of coal distribution and quality parameters are mainly associated with active and abandoned channels and these parameters are less variable in floodplain settings. |
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