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Article: Fossil charcoals from the Lower Jurassic challenge assumptions about charcoal morphology and identification

Palaeontology Cover Image - Volume 61 Part 1
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 61
Part: 1
Publication Date: January 2018
Page(s): 49 56
Author(s): A. J. Crawford, S. J. Baker, and C. M. Belcher
Addition Information

How to Cite

CRAWFORD, A.J., BAKER, S.J., BELCHER, C.M. 2018. Fossil charcoals from the Lower Jurassic challenge assumptions about charcoal morphology and identification. Palaeontology, 61, 1, 49-56. DOI: 10.1111/pala.12337

Author Information

  • A. J. Crawford - Department of Geography Durham University Durham UK (Email: alastair.j.crawford@durham.ac.uk)
  • S. J. Baker - wildFIRE Lab, Department of Geography, Hatherly Laboratories University of Exeter Exeter UK (Email: s.j.baker@exeter.ac.uk)
  • C. M. Belcher - wildFIRE Lab, Department of Geography, Hatherly Laboratories University of Exeter Exeter UK (Email: c.belcher@exeter.ac.uk)

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 25 December 2017
  • Manuscript Accepted: 11 October 2017
  • Manuscript Received: 20 May 2017

Funded By

Marie Curie Career Integration. Grant Number: PCIG10‐GA‐2011‐303610
European Research Council Starter. Grant Number: ERC‐2013‐StG‐335891‐ECOFLAM
Natural Environment Research Council Studentship. Grant Number: NE/L501669/1

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library (Free Access)
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Abstract

Charcoal morphometry is increasingly employed in the analysis of Quaternary sediments, but has not been applied in studies of earlier sediments. We present findings relating to charcoal morphometry and morphotypes in a Toarcian sequence, which contains a preponderance of highly elongate forms, and morphometric values well outside expected ranges. SEM imaging reveals elongate particles of two distinct kinds. One originates in conifer xylem, and may be associated with formation at high levels of heating. It is proposed that the other may derive from tree ferns, or from plants with similar growth forms. Our results show the importance of recognizing the wide morphological variation that exists in sedimentary charcoal. Failing to do so may result in serious errors in its identification, interpretation and quantification.

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