Petrographic characteristics and paleomires of Mand-Raigarh coals, Mahanadi Gondwana Basin, Chhattisgarh, India

Mand-Raigarh coalfield is one of the largest coalfields in the Mahanadi basin. The Geological Survey of India carried out initial study primarily on exploration. However, detailed petrographic and geochemical characters of the coals have not been done so far. This investigation is an attempt for petrographic and geochemical appraisal of the coals. Moreover, effort is also made for possible interpretation on development of coal facies. The results drawn from 30 composite coal samples suggest coals are rich in vitrinite, with collotelinite as the dominant maceral while liptinite macerals register low concentration. Dominant mineral assemblages found were clay minerals, pyrite was recorded as disseminated, framboidal and euhedral forms, carbonates recorded were mainly siderites. The vitrinite reflectance random (VRo) mean values range from 0.44 % to 0.56 %, and the rank of coal is suggested as high volatile ‘B’ to ‘A’ sub-bituminous in rank. The rock–eval pyrolysis reveal TOC content varying from 37 % to 68.83 %, while low hydrocarbon generating potential is evident from low S2 and T max values. The Hydrogen Index (HI) versus Oxygen Index (OI) plot reveal that the samples belong to Kerogen type—II–III with input dominantly from terrestrial source, some samples also fall in Kerogen type—II domain indicating lacustrine input. Vitrinite reflectance result indicate that the samples are immature and approaching oil window, which is in agreement with data of the Rock–Eval parameters. The gelification index (GI) and tissue preservation index (TPI) indicate that the coal developed in a telematic set up with high tree density. The ground water index (GWI) and vegetation index (VI) demonstrate that the peat developed as an ombrogenous bog.