Quality, palynology, and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Ilgin lignite, Turkey

The Ilgin lignite field can be subdivided into the Haramikoy and Kurugol areas which are separated by an area of basement and a fault. The Lignite-bearing sequence consists mainly of fluvial and lacustrine Neogene deposits. The Ilgin lignite, averaging 8 m (up to 25 m) thick, is blackish brown and dark brown in colour. The lignite contains abundant brown wood, plant remains and white gastropod shells. Samples have an average of 38.9% moisture on an as-received basis and a mean of 3.9% total sulphur on an air-dried basis. Geochemical analysis, using an ICP-MS, was undertaken. Thirteen Lignite core samples from three boreholes drilled in the Kurugol area were ashed at 750 degrees C. The average trace element contents of the lignite show a higher concentration of U (average 43 ppm) when compared to the range for most coals in the world, while the others (Ti, P, Sc, Be, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nh, Mo, Cs, Ba, Y, Ta, W, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, To, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu) agree with the global ranges. The Ilgin lignite is identified as of Middle Miocene (Middle Serravallian) age and occurs within lacustrine sediments deposited under subtropical climatic conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved