telovitrinite

Telovitrinite is a maceral, a type of vitrinite, recognized in coal petrography. It denotes vitrinitic organic matter derived from woody plant material that has undergone post-depositional alteration, such as compaction, oxidation, or thermal exposure, which gives it characteristic optical and textural properties distinct from ordinary vitrinite.

The term is most often used in petrographic analyses to describe late-stage or weathered vitrinites that retain much of the cellular framework while showing increased reflectance in reflected-light microscopy.

This maceral is commonly identified in peat and coal samples by its reflectance characteristics and its tendency to preserve plant-cell-wall textures with a granular or fused appearance. Telovitrinite can influence the interpretation of coal rank and maturational history because its optical properties can differ from other vitrinite fractions.

Classification and nomenclature vary among coal researchers, and telovitrinite may be grouped with vitrinite or treated as a distinct subcategory depending on the scheme. In practice, petrographers use reflected-light microscopy, sometimes complemented by fluorescence and scanning techniques, to distinguish telovitrinite from other macerals.

See also: vitrinite, maceral, coal petrography