Abstract
The luminance of fossil pollen (Pinus, Podocarpus, Abies and Picea) from the Neogene sediments in northern Japan, and living pollen (Pinus thunbergii) was measured microscopically by means of computer-aided image processor. The mean value of luminance of indigenous pollen in each rock sample was labeled its "statistical Thermal Alteration Index" (stTAI). The present study identified a relationship between stTAI and vitrinite reflectance (Ro) in sediments.
The difference in stTAI between living pollen and fossilized pollen of 0.30%Ro, the lowest maturity level identified by Ro value, is about 60. This means it may be possible to use stTAI to measure organic maturation in immature sediments under the lowest useful limit of Ro.
