A type of organic material in coal derived from the exine of pollen and spores, used in coal analysis and classification.
Combination of exine (pollen wall) and -ite (a mineral or constituent substance). The term was developed in coal petrology during the 20th century to classify coal's microscopic components based on their origin.
Coal scientists can look at ancient coal under a microscope and see fossilized pollen walls—exinite makes up part of coal's 'fingerprint,' helping them date coal deposits and understand what forests existed millions of years ago!
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