Coal petrology, sedimentology and depositional environment of the Parvadeh coals in the Upper Triassic, Tabas Block of Central-East Iran

Abstract Peat forming environment strongly influences the economic value of any coal seam and coal-bearing strata. Hence, palaeoenvironmental studies provide important information for resource exploration. In this context, detailed on selected coals from Parvadeh Area, Iran, were conducted using sedimentology, petrology, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive analyzer (SEM-EDX), proximate analysis. The sedimentary facies above below seams are mainly marine or marine-influenced facies, supporting that coal-forming mires in Area developed a paralic environment, where base level must be closely related to sea level. Sulfur contents moderate high mark influence brackish/marine water, especially during transgression after peat growth lower delta plain environment. peat-forming extended coastal/delta lobes. plain/coastal characterized by lateral continuity substantial thickness, whereas few possibly representing upper thin more discontinuous. detrital nature composition numerous partings overall ash yield indicate an active tectonic area with rates creation accommodation space over growth. Coal petrology analysis exhibits permanently water table within forest swamp mostly rheotrophic conditions, sometimes connection seawater. According paleoenvironmental reconstructions, it seems layers may thicker, less sulfur (pyrite), but clastic minerals toward western part area. Although these presently have low potential mining operation, partly due great depth, humic, high-volatile medium-volatile bituminous suitable exploration bed methane resources.