Explanation for peat-forming environments of coal seam 2 and 9−2 based on the maceral composition and aromatic compounds in the Xingtai coalfield, China

Maceral composition and aromatic compounds were determined on column samples to study the peat-forming environments of Permian coal seam 2 and Carboniferous coal seam 9−2 from the Xingtai coalfield, China. The macerals were dominated by inertinite in seam 2 and by vitrinite in seam 9−2. Three maceral groups were selected as indicators of peat-forming environments. Two triangle diagrams were drawn based on the indicators to explicate the peat-forming environments of permian seam 2 and Carboniferous seam 9−2. The results indicate that the peat of carboniferous seam 9−2 formed dominantly in wet swamps, whereas the peat of Permian seam 2 formed dominantly in dry swamps and open moor environments.