Early coalification features as approached by solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy

Solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and ultimate analysis have been applied to a study of samples from the Pleistocene Drama lignite and its successive modern analogue, the Philippi peat, in northeastern Greece. The succession from peat to lignite resulted in a C enrichment averaging 10.7% and depletion in H and O averaging 6.5 and 18.5%, respectively. Early coalification resulted in the degradation of methoxyl groups, carbohydrates and carboxylic groups, whereas the aliphatic carbons were less affected. However, organic geochemical alteration seems to depend strongly on the initial peatification conditions. The “aromaticity” decreases from the stage of peat to lignite, as a result of the significant degradation of lignin precursors.