USE OF STABLE ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY TO DETERMINE THE PALEOENVIRONMENT OF THE POND CREEK COAL BED, PIKE COUNTY, EASTERN KENTUCKY

Author

• Vivian A. Edwards, University of KentuckyFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2061-9815

Date Available

4-21-2026

Year of Publication

2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/School/Program

Earth and Environmental Sciences (Geology)

Faculty

Andrea Erhardt

Abstract

Wetlands are both critical habitats and bellwethers of the health of the environment. Coal, being the remains of wetlands, offers the possibility of understanding the evolution of wetlands over large climatic shifts. The paleoenvironment of coals can be determined from palynology, petrology, and geochemistry. Stable isotope ratios within coal, including carbon (δ¹³C), nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), and sulfur (δ³⁴S), are established tools for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. These ratios can be correlated to flora, geochemistry, macerals, and bacterial activity. However, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur have given conflicting results in some studies and their correlation to known variables is not fully understood. In this study, existing geochemical and petrographic data was correlated with new stable isotope analysis of the Pond Creek coal bed in Pike County, Eastern Kentucky to further establish relationships between depositional environment, paleogeography, and coal geochemistry. Low vitrinite and high vitrinite samples formed clusters of varying distinction for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S but no other variables demonstrated correlations across the whole dataset. Individual sample sites demonstrated idiosyncratic correlations for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S. Analyses indicate distinct environments across the same lithotypes over time and quadrangles. δ¹³C and δ³⁴S act as redox indicators with δ³⁴S being more sensitive to inorganic factors. δ¹⁵N acts as an indicator of mire chemistry and detrital sources within the environment. These discovered correlations and relationships lay the groundwork for using stable isotope geochemistry to better understand how wetlands evolve.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.89

Archival?

Archival

Funding Information

This study was funded by:

• Association of Women Geoscientists, SE Bluegrass Chapter Research Award, $250, 2024
• Geological Society of America Energy Division, Antoinette Lierman Medlin Scholarship, $2000, 2024
• American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Peter W. Gester Memorial Grant, $1500, 2025

Recommended Citation

Edwards, Vivian A., "USE OF STABLE ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY TO DETERMINE THE PALEOENVIRONMENT OF THE POND CREEK COAL BED, PIKE COUNTY, EASTERN KENTUCKY" (2026). Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences. 122.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ees_etds/122