Six samples of Carboniferous (Mississippian-Pennsylvanian) coal (Seam 9-3) and 11 samples of Permian coal (Seam 2) from the Xingtai Coalfield were studied by petrological and organic geochemical methods. Both seams show different petrological and geochemical compositions. In Seam 9-3 of the Carboniferous age, the predominant maceral is vitrinite (83%) whereas in Seam 2 of Permian age, inertinite predominates (45%). "Barkinite" was found with an average content 1% only in Seam 2. Sixty-four different aromatic compounds were identified by gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of solvent extracts (Extr) of both seams. Abundant polyaromatic sulfur hydrocarbons (PASH) were determined in coal samples from Seam 9-3, while they are very low in samples from Seam 2. 1,2,5-Trimethylnaphthalene and 1,2,5,6-tetramethylnaphthalene contents are much higher in Seam 2, while 2-methylfluorene contents are higher in Seam 9-3. Cadalene was found in Seam 2 with a high content of 94 mg/kg coal but was not detected in samples from Seam 9-3. This might indicate a different floral contribution to the sedimentary organic matter. All petrologic and geochemical results indicate that Seam 2 formed in a more oxidized environment compared with Seam 9-3. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.