GC-MS in organic geochemistry of coal-estimation of the origin and degree of carbonification in coal from the Kosovo basin (Yugoslavia)

Abstract

Biological markers in the alkane fraction of coal from the central and southern parts of the Kosovo basin (Yugoslavia) were analyzed by using computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrornetry (GC-MS). The presence of tricyclic diterpanes with pimarane and abictane structure and tctracyclic ditcrpanc 16α(H) phyllocladane indicated that coniferous resins participated in the formation of the organic mater of Kosovo basin coal. The presence of Dc-A lupanc proved the partipication of dicotyledonous gymnosperms in the formation of the organic matter, while the presence of pentacyclic triterpanes with hopane structure indicated that the degradation of the organic substance was caused by microorganisms of the bacterial type. The results of the GC-MS analysis of the biomarkcrs were used to estimate the degree of carbonification of the investigated coal. The presence of diterpanes with pimarane structure and the presence of monoaromatic hopane structure (D-ring), and the absence of 16β(H) phyllocladane and 18α(H)22,29,30 trisnorhopane (Ts), confirmed that Kosovo basin coal is of a low carbonification degree.