THE CLASSIFICATION OF RECENTLY DISCOVERED CRETACEOUS PLANT MICROFOSSILS OF POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE STRATIGRAPHY OF WESTERN CANADIAN COALS

Abstract

Seven thin coal seams from the uppermost Cretaceous strata (Brazeau) of Western Alberta are investigated with the purpose of revealing the existence of classifiable fossil spores and pollens which may be significant as index units in stratigraphic differentiation. Thirty-four microfossils are classified, described, and illustrated. Relationships to previously known macrofossils or modern plants are suggested. One spore is bryophytic, nine are pteridophytic in affiliation, and one microfossil type possibly represents a fungal spore. Twelve pollens show gymnosperm relationship, and 11 fall within the Angiospermae. A distributional pattern indicates occurrences and associations of 14 microfossils occurring in frequencies of 5% or greater within the coals. Differences between the Brazeau macro- and microflora are evalutated in terms of applicability to stratigraphic definition.