Fossil fungi in lignite-bearing deposits: An overview of Miocene lignites from Poland

Grzegorz Worobiec; Elżbieta Worobiec

doi:10.14746/logos.2026.32.geo02

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Fossil fungi in lignite-bearing deposits: An overview of Miocene lignites from Poland

Geologos

Volume 32 (2026): Issue 1 (May 2026)

By: Grzegorz Worobiec and Elżbieta Worobiec

Open Access

|May 2026

Abstract

The present paper summarises results of studies into fungal microremains (non-pollen palynomorphs) encountered during palynological studies of Miocene lignite-bearing deposits in the Adamów-Konin Basin, the Bełchatów Lignite Mine, the Ruja lignite deposit and the lignite seam at Chłapowo. The Adamów-Konin lignite deposits turn out to be the richest site for fossil fungi within Neogene lignite-bearing strata in Poland. Fungal ecological groups (e.g., epiphyllous fungi, rhizosphere fungi and indigenous wetland fungi) and fungal taxa as environmental proxies were examined alongside plant pollen/spores in order to reconstruct ancient peat-forming environments. Fossil fungi are valuable palaeoclimatic indicators seeing that fungi are generally sensitive to environmental conditions. Fungal non-pollen palynomorphs found in lignite-bearing deposits can provide information on ancient wetland hydrology and conditions, vegetation structure and density, temperature and humidity, and even plant-fungal interactions. Coupled with other proxies, fungal remains can complement the palaeoenvironmental picture obtained from classic pollen analysis, creating a detailed picture of Miocene coal-forming environments.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/logos.2026.32.geo02 | Journal eISSN: 2080-6574 | Journal ISSN: 1426-8981

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Language: English

Page range: 1 - 13

Submitted on: Jan 5, 2026

Accepted on: Mar 3, 2026

Published on: May 30, 2026

Published by: Adam Mickiewicz University

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Fungal microremains,

palynology,

non-pollen palynomorphs,

Related subjects:

Geology and mineralogy,

Geosciences, other

© 2026 Grzegorz Worobiec, Elżbieta Worobiec, published by Adam Mickiewicz University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 32 (2026): Issue 1 (May 2026)