PALYNOLOGY OF A MIDDLE EOCENE LIGNITE, TENNESSEE

The palynology of a low-rank, clay-rich lignite from Weakly Co., TN, is being examined. It is thought that this lignite is part of the Clabornian-stage lignite outcrop belt. Samples were processed using the O’Keefe technique (O’Keefe and Eble, 2012 in press), which is designed to optimize recovery from clay-rich lignite samples with a minimum of hazardous chemicals. Overall, the deposit is palynologically similar to known Claibornian-state lignites in Kentucky, especially that studied by O’Keefe (2008). Notably, the spectrum recovered is different from assemblages recovered from clay pits in Tennessee. This is likely due to differences in processing and also the more restricted flora present in peat-producing wetlands. Preliminary results indicate that the deposit is dominated by a Castanea-Cupuliferoidaepollenites assemblage, with other tree pollen being common. Ferns are also present, as is an assemblage of fungal spores.