1999 Volume 49 Issue 49 Pages 7-11
C/N ratios and sulfur and pyrite content in coals from separate basins show a good correlation with inferred paleoenvironments. C/N ratios indicate the extent of input by land plants, and the pyrite content implies sea water incursion into the basins. An analysis of C/N ratios and pyrite content in carbonaceous materials can rapidly be used to classify sedimentary environments in coal basins.