Abstract: The Jurassic Yan'an Formation exhibits well-developed coal measure strata. However, there remains a lack of systematic research on the geochemistry, sedimentary environment, coal-forming conditions, and spatial distribution of these coal seams. In this study, 605 coal core samples were systematically collected from the Jurassic Yan'an Formation of the Maiduoshan coal mine in the Ningdong area along the western margin of the Ordos Basin, with 6 655 data points obtained from geochemical tests. The element geochemical characteristics of the coal seams and their implications were analyzed through data validation, element association, and discriminant diagrams. The paleoclimate, paleo-oxygen facies, paleosalinity, paleo-water depth, and paleoproductivity during the deposition of the Yan'an Formation were reconstructed. Accordingly, the paleo-sedimentary environment evolution, coal seam occurrence characteristics, and coal accumulation patterns during this period were revealed. Furthermore, an integrated framework for research on geochemical tracing, sedimentary environment inversion, and analysis of coal accumulation patterns was established for the study area. The results show that the coal samples from the Yan'an Formation exhibited an average index of compositional variability (ICV) of 2.55. This finding indicates that these samples were free from weathering and thus are highly representative. The samples yielded an average chemical index of alteration (CIA) of 71.87%, suggesting that the provenance area underwent moderate chemical weathering, corresponding to a warm and humid climatic setting. Based on these, the paleotemperature and paleo-precipitation of the Yan'an Formation during the deposition of the formation were estimated at approximately 17.76 ℃ and 1 011.14 mm/a, respectively. The high w(Mg)/w(Al) ratios (m), w(Ca)/w(Fe) ratios (n), and w(Sr)/w(Ba) ratios of the coal samples suggest high paleosalinity during the deposition of the Yan'an Formation. The indicators, including the coal ash composition index (K), total sulfur (S_p,d), and w(Th)/w(U) ratio, reveal that the swamp in the Yan'an Formation primarily exhibited a dysoxic, weakly reducing environment. Besides, the swamp showed average w(Fe) + w(Al)/w(Ca) + w(Mg) and w(Mn)/w(Ti) ratios of 1.55 and 0.23, respectively, indicating a medium-water-level swamp with moderate-degree overlying water. The average w(P)/w(Al) and w(P)/w(Ti) ratios and the net primary paleoproductivity (NPP) were 0.03, 0.7, and 331.53 g/(m²·a), respectively, reflecting a moderately nutrient paleolake environment and high paleoproductivity during the deposition of the Yan'an Formation. Overall, the Jurassic Yan'an Formation in the Ningdong area predominantly features the continental fluvial-deltaic plain sedimentary facies. During its deposition, this formation showed a warm and humid paleoclimate, a coal-forming environment of weakly reducing, medium-water-level swamp, high-salinity water bodies, and high paleoproductivity. These conditions are favorable for the proliferation of coal-forming plants, as well as the accumulation and preservation of plant remains. The findings of this study hold great significance for reconstructing the paleosedimentary framework and paleogeography of the basin and understanding the enrichment patterns of minerals deposited in the basin during the deposition of the Yan'an Formation.