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Biomarkers: Coal

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Encyclopedia of Geochemistry

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Definition

Biomarkers. Complex organic compounds which retained structural similarities to biological precursors identified in living organisms.

Lipids. Small molecules that originate from biochemical subunits, including fats, waxes, sterols, etc. These molecules can be extracted by organic solvents.

Coal. Combustible black sedimentary rock formed by humification of plant materials. According to increased maturation, coals are classified as lignites, subbituminous coals, bituminous coals, and anthracites, respectively.

Introduction

Organic geochemical methods have become important tools for the reconstruction of paleovegetation, environmental changes, and transformation processes of organic matter during diagenesis. The application of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques on extractable organic matter (i.e. lipids) from low-rank coals or compounds released during pyrolysis has been used to gain information about coal-forming vegetation. Biomarkers were successfully used...

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  1. Department of Applied Geoscience and Geophysics Petroleum Geology, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    Achim Bechtel

  2. Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Goethe University, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Wilhelm PĆ¼ttmann

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  1. Department of Earth, Cornell University Department of Earth, Ithaca, New York, USA

    William M. White

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Bechtel, A., PĆ¼ttmann, W. (2017). Biomarkers: Coal. In: White, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geochemistry. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39193-9_150-1

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