Details
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Aufsatznummer | 104924 |
| Fachzeitschrift | International Journal of Coal Geology |
| Jahrgang | 314 |
| Frühes Online-Datum | 18 Dez. 2025 |
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 27 Jan. 2026 |
Abstract
Lignites from the Mongolian Khukhteeg Formation bear exceptionally well-preserved plant macro- and mesofossils, providing important insights into the evolution and composition of peat forming flora in inner-continental paleo-Asia during the late Early Cretaceous. Numerous paleobotanical studies deal with fossil plant material from the Tevshiin Govi site, a small-scale open-cast lignite mine located in the Choir-Nyalga Basin of central Mongolia. However, information on the peat depositional environment of the Tevshiin Govi site is limited. In order to reconstruct the conditions during peat formation, coal petrology and palynology, complemented by geochemical measurements (TOC, TS, δ13Corg), was applied across a ∼ 35 m thick lignite-rich succession. Maceral composition is dominated by huminite with few samples being rich in inertinite and/or mineral matter. Calculated maceral indices indicate a topogenous mire setting. Variability of the GWIAC indicates regular flooding of the peat. The stratigraphic trend in δ13Corg covaries with fusinite content, suggesting short-lived events such as peat fires affecting the δ13Corg signature. Palynological observations show a strong dominance of pollen produced by Cupressaceae and Pinaceae, which is in accordance with the meso- and macrofossil findings. No angiosperm pollen was observed. Based on diverse spore genera, a high diversity of herbaceous plants is suggested, which contrasts with previous reconstructions. Overall, the Tevshiin Govi site reveals a paleoenvironment that was mainly forested. Trees were dominated by conifers with an understory of pteridophytes (mainly ferns). The depositional setting was strongly influenced by fluvial processes. During phases of peat formation, the swamp was either covered by water or regularly flooded.
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- Energie (insg.)
- Feuerungstechnik
- Erdkunde und Planetologie (insg.)
- Geologie
- Erdkunde und Planetologie (insg.)
- Ökonomische Geologie
- Erdkunde und Planetologie (insg.)
- Stratigraphie
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in: International Journal of Coal Geology, Jahrgang 314, 104924, 27.01.2026.
Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Forschung › Peer-Review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on Early Cretaceous lignite deposits from Central Mongolia (Tevshiin Govi mine)
AU - Stoepke, Fritz Lukas
AU - Littke, Ralf
AU - Wheeler, Alexander
AU - Hasegawa, Hitoshi
AU - Ichinnorov, Niiden
AU - Heimhofer, Ulrich
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025
PY - 2026/1/27
Y1 - 2026/1/27
N2 - Lignites from the Mongolian Khukhteeg Formation bear exceptionally well-preserved plant macro- and mesofossils, providing important insights into the evolution and composition of peat forming flora in inner-continental paleo-Asia during the late Early Cretaceous. Numerous paleobotanical studies deal with fossil plant material from the Tevshiin Govi site, a small-scale open-cast lignite mine located in the Choir-Nyalga Basin of central Mongolia. However, information on the peat depositional environment of the Tevshiin Govi site is limited. In order to reconstruct the conditions during peat formation, coal petrology and palynology, complemented by geochemical measurements (TOC, TS, δ13Corg), was applied across a ∼ 35 m thick lignite-rich succession. Maceral composition is dominated by huminite with few samples being rich in inertinite and/or mineral matter. Calculated maceral indices indicate a topogenous mire setting. Variability of the GWIAC indicates regular flooding of the peat. The stratigraphic trend in δ13Corg covaries with fusinite content, suggesting short-lived events such as peat fires affecting the δ13Corg signature. Palynological observations show a strong dominance of pollen produced by Cupressaceae and Pinaceae, which is in accordance with the meso- and macrofossil findings. No angiosperm pollen was observed. Based on diverse spore genera, a high diversity of herbaceous plants is suggested, which contrasts with previous reconstructions. Overall, the Tevshiin Govi site reveals a paleoenvironment that was mainly forested. Trees were dominated by conifers with an understory of pteridophytes (mainly ferns). The depositional setting was strongly influenced by fluvial processes. During phases of peat formation, the swamp was either covered by water or regularly flooded.
AB - Lignites from the Mongolian Khukhteeg Formation bear exceptionally well-preserved plant macro- and mesofossils, providing important insights into the evolution and composition of peat forming flora in inner-continental paleo-Asia during the late Early Cretaceous. Numerous paleobotanical studies deal with fossil plant material from the Tevshiin Govi site, a small-scale open-cast lignite mine located in the Choir-Nyalga Basin of central Mongolia. However, information on the peat depositional environment of the Tevshiin Govi site is limited. In order to reconstruct the conditions during peat formation, coal petrology and palynology, complemented by geochemical measurements (TOC, TS, δ13Corg), was applied across a ∼ 35 m thick lignite-rich succession. Maceral composition is dominated by huminite with few samples being rich in inertinite and/or mineral matter. Calculated maceral indices indicate a topogenous mire setting. Variability of the GWIAC indicates regular flooding of the peat. The stratigraphic trend in δ13Corg covaries with fusinite content, suggesting short-lived events such as peat fires affecting the δ13Corg signature. Palynological observations show a strong dominance of pollen produced by Cupressaceae and Pinaceae, which is in accordance with the meso- and macrofossil findings. No angiosperm pollen was observed. Based on diverse spore genera, a high diversity of herbaceous plants is suggested, which contrasts with previous reconstructions. Overall, the Tevshiin Govi site reveals a paleoenvironment that was mainly forested. Trees were dominated by conifers with an understory of pteridophytes (mainly ferns). The depositional setting was strongly influenced by fluvial processes. During phases of peat formation, the swamp was either covered by water or regularly flooded.
KW - Carbon isotopes
KW - Lignite
KW - Lower cretaceous
KW - Mongolia
KW - Organic petrography
KW - Palynology
KW - Peat deposition
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105025016379&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.coal.2025.104924
DO - 10.1016/j.coal.2025.104924
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105025016379
VL - 314
JO - International Journal of Coal Geology
JF - International Journal of Coal Geology
SN - 0166-5162
M1 - 104924
ER -