Maceral and geochemical characteristics of Oil Shale 2 from the Huangxian Basin, China

Five samples of Oil Shale 2 from the Huangxian Basin have been analyzed by coal petrographic and geochemical methods in order to study its formation environment. Higher alginite ratios and hopanes in Oil Shale 2 indicate a lower plants and anoxic environment. Two ternary diagrams of facies diagnostic macerals and biomarkers were used to interpret the depositional environments of organic matter in Oil Shale 2. In both diagrams, Oil Shale 2 plots in a lower plant zone, and was deposited in a deeper water environment.