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A Petrographic Atlas of Canadian Coal Macerals and Dispersed Organic Matter
International Journal of Coal Geology 44 Ž2000. 185–186 www.elsevier.nlrlocaterijcoalgeo
Book Review A Petrographic Atlas of Canadian Coal Macerals and Dispersed Organic Matter Judith Potter, Lavern D. Stasiuk, Alexander R. Cameron ŽEds.., Canadian Society for Coal Science and Organic PetrologyrGeological Survey of Canada ŽCalgary.rCanmet Energy Technology Centre, 1999, 105 pp., 24 Pl. The Atlas is an extraordinary collection of fine photomicrographs, presented in a format which makes it especially useful as a teaching tool for students of coal and organic petrology, or as an authoritative reference for perplexed or argumentative experts. Apparently, the planners of the Atlas decided to employ a format that addresses the need for an aid to the recognition of macerals and dispersed organics by those working at the microscope. The plates are large Ž12 in.= 9 in.., glossy and heavy, with up to 26 individual color or black and white photomicrographs to each plate. They are spiral-bound in a hard cover. The organization of the 24 plates is unusual for this subject matter, the usual grouping for which is according to maceral group. For the coal macerals, covered in the first section, the primary basis for grouping the photomicrographs is by rank Žfollowed in some plates by geographic region. and then maceral group. This is a convenient arrangement for those wishing to concentrate on the constituents occurring in a narrow rank range before advancing to another level of coalification. Those who are more interested in accessing the rank-wide range of an individual maceral, however, will have to do a little searching Žunfortunately, there is no alphabetical index.. This section of the Atlas also contains a plate of black and white photomicrographs of cokes and covers a few common minerals. A special bonus is an informative series of maps, stratigraphic sections and correlations of coal measures in the Canadian coal regions. The second section deals with dispersed organic matter and bitumens, organized into plates covering herbaceous macerals; amorphous macerals; alginite; acritarchs and algal mat microtextures; organic fossils; and bitumens. The excellent photomicrographs of the whole rock specimens in this section favor the fluorescence mode. Whereas the macerals illustrated in the first section are quite commonly encountered by organic petrologists world-wide, much of the material presented in the second section could lie outside the experience of many; consequently, the Atlas will be of benefit to the experienced petrologist as well as the neophyte. It is not clear why the editors have avoided using the now commonplace telalginiterlamalginite subdivisions of alginite. This reviewer has encountered some minor errors during reading of the Atlas, many of which could have been avoided by careful coordination and editing. The greatest problem foreseen is the lack of sufficient background to the terminologies employed in the descriptions. The introduction states that it is not the purpose of the book to revisit PII: S0166-5162 Ž 00 . 00005-7
186
Book ReÕiew
basic principles; moreover, very comprehensive lists of full references are included throughout. However, the maceral and dispersed organic matter classifications given in the introduction do not cover many of the terms employed in the descriptions. There is also some inconsistent usage of terms and a few questionable identifications. The problems in no way overshadow the visual impact and utility of this book. The price, at CA$138, reflects the expense of reproducing photographic plates, especially in color. Already, petrologists have recognized the advantages in cost and convenience of sharing their images through electronic media. Nevertheless, a strong need remains for another kind of convenience, that of high-quality print images in a format that can be immediately available to the petrologist as he plies his profession. This Atlas amply fills that need. A. Davis Coal and Organic Petrology Laboratories, Penn State UniÕersity, 105 Academic Projects Building, UniÕersity Park, PA 16802, USA E-mail address: [email protected]
Book Review A Petrographic Atlas of Canadian Coal Macerals and Dispersed Organic Matter Judith Potter, Lavern D. Stasiuk, Alexander R. Cameron ŽEds.., Canadian Society for Coal Science and Organic PetrologyrGeological Survey of Canada ŽCalgary.rCanmet Energy Technology Centre, 1999, 105 pp., 24 Pl. The Atlas is an extraordinary collection of fine photomicrographs, presented in a format which makes it especially useful as a teaching tool for students of coal and organic petrology, or as an authoritative reference for perplexed or argumentative experts. Apparently, the planners of the Atlas decided to employ a format that addresses the need for an aid to the recognition of macerals and dispersed organics by those working at the microscope. The plates are large Ž12 in.= 9 in.., glossy and heavy, with up to 26 individual color or black and white photomicrographs to each plate. They are spiral-bound in a hard cover. The organization of the 24 plates is unusual for this subject matter, the usual grouping for which is according to maceral group. For the coal macerals, covered in the first section, the primary basis for grouping the photomicrographs is by rank Žfollowed in some plates by geographic region. and then maceral group. This is a convenient arrangement for those wishing to concentrate on the constituents occurring in a narrow rank range before advancing to another level of coalification. Those who are more interested in accessing the rank-wide range of an individual maceral, however, will have to do a little searching Žunfortunately, there is no alphabetical index.. This section of the Atlas also contains a plate of black and white photomicrographs of cokes and covers a few common minerals. A special bonus is an informative series of maps, stratigraphic sections and correlations of coal measures in the Canadian coal regions. The second section deals with dispersed organic matter and bitumens, organized into plates covering herbaceous macerals; amorphous macerals; alginite; acritarchs and algal mat microtextures; organic fossils; and bitumens. The excellent photomicrographs of the whole rock specimens in this section favor the fluorescence mode. Whereas the macerals illustrated in the first section are quite commonly encountered by organic petrologists world-wide, much of the material presented in the second section could lie outside the experience of many; consequently, the Atlas will be of benefit to the experienced petrologist as well as the neophyte. It is not clear why the editors have avoided using the now commonplace telalginiterlamalginite subdivisions of alginite. This reviewer has encountered some minor errors during reading of the Atlas, many of which could have been avoided by careful coordination and editing. The greatest problem foreseen is the lack of sufficient background to the terminologies employed in the descriptions. The introduction states that it is not the purpose of the book to revisit PII: S0166-5162 Ž 00 . 00005-7
186
Book ReÕiew
basic principles; moreover, very comprehensive lists of full references are included throughout. However, the maceral and dispersed organic matter classifications given in the introduction do not cover many of the terms employed in the descriptions. There is also some inconsistent usage of terms and a few questionable identifications. The problems in no way overshadow the visual impact and utility of this book. The price, at CA$138, reflects the expense of reproducing photographic plates, especially in color. Already, petrologists have recognized the advantages in cost and convenience of sharing their images through electronic media. Nevertheless, a strong need remains for another kind of convenience, that of high-quality print images in a format that can be immediately available to the petrologist as he plies his profession. This Atlas amply fills that need. A. Davis Coal and Organic Petrology Laboratories, Penn State UniÕersity, 105 Academic Projects Building, UniÕersity Park, PA 16802, USA E-mail address: [email protected]