SPECTRAL FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF SOME LIPTINITE MACERALS FROM PANANDHRO LIGNITE (KUTCH), GUJARAT, INDIA

Spectrofluorimetric analyses of sporinite, alginite and resinite macerals of Eocene lignite from the Panandhro Lignite field indicate that they are distinguishable on the basis of their lambda max and red/green quotients. Sporinite fluorescing with bright yellow colour has an average lambda max at 570 nm with red/green quotient (Q) = 0.92. Alginite (Botryococcus) with a bright yellow fluorescence colour has a peak (average) at 540 nm with Q = 0.71. Resinite in the Panandhro lignite has been categorized into five types. Resinite type-1 (yellowish green to greenish yellow) is characterized by average lambda max at 510 nm with a Q value of 0.29. In resinite type-2 (bright yellow) the average lambda max occurs at 520 nm with Q = 0.49. Resinite type-3 (yellowish orange to orange) shows a lambda max (average) at 520 nm with a Q value of 0.69. Resinite type-4 has been subdivided into sub-types-a and b based on its mode of occurrence (primary and in situ remobilized). Sub-type-4a (pale orange) has a lambda max (average) at 590 nm and Q = 0.99 whereas sub-type-4b fluoresces with faint brownish orange to pale brown colours and shows an average lambda max at 610 nm and Q = 1.43. The average lambda max at 610 nm and Q = 2.30 with pale yellowish grey, orangish brown and brown fluorescence colours characterize resinite type-5. The wavelength of maximum fluorescence intensities and red/green quotients of the sporinite and alginite macerals show a very good correspondence with the rank (R0 max) of the Panandhro lignites. The spectral parameters of the maceral resinite, on the other hand, do not show such a relationship with rank. Resinite types-1 to 3 are primary in origin whereas types-4 and 5 occur both as primary and in situ remobilized resinites. None of the resinite types have been observed as crack or fissure fillings. The origin of the resinite types is probably related to lignite-forming plant communities, chiefly angiospermous vegetation, as well as pre- and post-depositional conditions.