Surface-reaction of Australian coal macerals and coke by iron salts: an aid in microscopy
✍ Scribed by Mortaza R. Salehi; Lloyd H. Hamilton
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1988
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 574 KB
- Volume
- 67
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0016-2361
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✦ Synopsis
Bright stains of distinctive colours are produced when an aqueous mixture of ferric chloride and potassium ferricyanide is applied directly to polished surfaces of Australian coals and coke. The stains depend on rank as well as maceral type, and are best observed with the light microscope. The stronger colouring on coke, anthracite and inertinite than on vitrinite suggests that the stains are caused by aromatic compounds. This is further supported by the more intense colouring on vitrinite in higher rank coals than those of lower rank. The stains are helpful in identifying vitrinitic dispersed organic matter in the study of hydrocarbon-source rocks.