To study the early formation processes of macerals and sulfides, 12 samples were simulated in a constant temperature box with low temperature (80 °C). Coniferaes were used as organic matter, and gypsum, metals, and salts were used as catalysts in this experiment. The samples have been simulated for four years in the box. The variation of the organic matter was observed every year by microscopy. The results indicate that the liptinite and huminite macerals formed in a very short time (less than one year). Some framboidal sulfides formed before one year, and some crystal sulfides occurred before two years.
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Sun et al. (2009) studied this question.