Funginite

Funginite is a maceral, a component, organic in origin, of coal or oil shale, exhibiting several different physical properties and characteristics under particular conditions; its dimensions are based upon its source and place of discovery.

Resulting from its fossilized roots composed of fungal spores and similar material, funginite quantity as an inertinite has a direct correlation to instances of natural wildfires that occurred during the Cenozoic Era approximately 60 million years ago to the present (see chart), ranging from the Paleogene through to the Quaternary.

The term "funginite" is based on the word "fungus" that has its roots in Latin, and evolved through to late middle English,[4] while its suffix "-ite" pertains to mineralogical nomenclature.

The physical characteristics of the "fungal bodies" not only fluctuate and vary, but also determine the constitution of the spores by causing them to be identified as either single celled or multi-celled by nature.

[9] Currently, funginite, along with other macerals in general, are being researched and identified using micro FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) mapping, which enables further identification of fluorescence and the organic chemical composition.

[13] Further research is being done in regards to small x-ray angle scattering and small angle neutron scattering, SAXS and SANS respectively, as means of "determining the porosity, pore size distribution and internal specific surface area in coals,"[14] which would allow for extended research to be conducted into macerals, inertinites, and more specifically, funginite.