Petrographic, mineralogy, and geochemistry of coals of Pabedana, Kerman Province, Central Iran

This paper discusses the result of the detailed investigations carried out on the coal characteristics, including coal petrography and its geochemistry of the Pabedana region. A total of 16 samples were collected from four coal seams d2, d4, d5, and d6 of the Pabedana underground mine which is located in the central part of the Central-East Iranian Microcontinent. These samples were reduced to four samples through composite sampling of each seam and were analyzed for their petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical compositions. Proximate analysis data of the Pabedana coals indicate no major variations in the moisture, ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon contents in the coals of different seams. Based on sulfur content, the Pabedana coals may be classified as low-sulfur coals. The low-sulfur contents in the Pabedana coal and relatively low proportion of pyritic sulfur suggest a possible fresh water environment during the deposition of the peat of the Pabedana coal. X-ray diffraction and petrographic analyses indicate the presence of pyrite in coal samples. The Pabedana coals have been classified as a high volatile, bituminous coal in accordance with the vitrinite reflectance values (58.75–74.32 %) and other rank parameters (carbon, calorific value, and volatile matter content). The maceral analysis and reflectance study suggest that the coals in all the four seams are of good quality with low maceral matter association. Mineralogical investigations indicate that the inorganic fraction in the Pabedana coal samples is dominated by carbonates; thus, constituting the major inorganic fraction of the coal samples. Illite, kaolinite, muscovite, quartz, feldspar, apatite, and hematite occur as minor or trace phases. The variation in major elements content is relatively narrow between different coal seams. Elements Sc,, Zr, Ga, Ge, La, As, W, Ce, Sb, Nb, Th, Pb, Se, Tl, Bi, Hg, Re, Li, Zn, Mo, and Ba show varying negative correlation with ash yield. These elements possibly have an organic affinity and may be present as primary biological concentrations either with tissues in living condition and/or through sorption and formation of organometallic compounds.     

Chemical and petrographical characterization of feed coal, fly ash and bottom ash from the Figueira Power Plant, Paraná, Brazil

The aim of the present study is the petrographic and chemical characterization of the coal at the Figueira Power Plant, Paraná, Brazil, prior and after the beneficiation process and the chemical characterization of fly and bottom ashes generated in the combustion process.Petrographic characterization was carried out through maceral analysis and vitrinite reflectance measurements. Chemical characterization included proximate analysis, determination of calorific value and sulphur content, ultimate analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma — Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma — Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) analysis, and determination of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content.Vitrinite reflectance analyses indicate a high volatile B/C bituminous coal (0.61 to 0.73% Rrandom). Maceral analyses show predominance of the vitrinite maceral group (51.6 to 70.9 vol.%, m.m.f). Except of the Run of mine (ROM) coal sample, the average calorific value of the coals is 5205 kcal/kg and ash yields range from 21.4 to 38.1 wt.%. The mineralogical composition (X-ray diffraction) of coals includes kaolinite, quartz, plagioclase and pyrite, whereas fly and bottom ashes are composed by mullite, ettringite, quartz, magnetite, and hematite. Analyses of major elements from coal, fly and bottom ashes indicate a high SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃ content. Trace elements analysis of in-situ and ROM coals by ICP-MS and ICP-AES show highest concentration in Zn and As. Most of the toxic elements such as As, Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn are significantly reduced by coal beneficiation. Considering the spatial distribution of trace elements in the beneficiated coal samples, which were collected over a period of three months, there appears to be little variation in Cd and Zn concentrations, whereas trace elements such as As, Mo, and Pb show a larger variation.In the fly and bottom ashes, the highest concentrations of trace elements were determined for Zn and As. When compared with trace element concentrations in the feed coal, fly ashes show a significant enrichment in most trace elements (As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, and Zn), suggesting a predominantly volatile nature for these elements. In contrast, Sn is distributed evenly within the different ash types, whereas U shows depleted concentration in both bottom and fly ash samples.According to the International Classification of in-seam coals the Cambuí coals are of para/ortho bituminous rank of low grade (except for the ROM sample), and are characterized by the predominance of vitrinite macerals.     

Abundances and modes of occurrence of trace elements in the Çan coals (Miocene), Çanakkale-Turkey

This study presents the concentrations and modes of occurrence of trace elements in 81 coal samples from the Çan basin of northwestern Turkey. The concentration of trace elements in coal were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Additionally, traditional coal parameters were studied by proximate, ultimate, X-ray diffraction, and petrographic analyses. Twenty trace elements, including As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cu, Co, F, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se Sn, Th, Tl, U, V, and Zn, receive much attention due to their related environmental and human health concerns. The Çan coals investigated in this study are lignite to sub-bituminous coal, with a broad range of ash yields and sulphur contents. The trace element concentrations show variety within the coal seams in the basin, and the affinities vary among locations. The concentrations of B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cu, Co, F, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, and Zn in Çan coals are within the Swaine's worldwide concentration range, with the exception of As, Th, U, and V. On the other hand, compared with world coals, the Çan basin coals have higher contents of As, B, Cu, Co, Mo, Pb, Th, U, V, and Zn. Based on statistical analyses, most of the trace elements, except for U, show an affinity to ash yield. Elements including As, Cd, Hg, Se, Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn, show a possible association with pyrite; however, the elements Se, B, and Mo can be have both organic and inorganic associations.     

Geochemistry and Modes of Occurrence of Hazardous Trace Elements in the No. 11 Coal Seam, Antaibao Surface Mine, Shanxi Province

Concentrations of seventeen hazardous trace elements including As, Pb, Hg, Se, Cd, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, U, V, Th, Be, Sb, Br and Zn in the No.ll coal seam, Antaibao surface mine, Shanxi Province were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis （INAA）, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry （ICP-AES）, Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry （CV-AAS） and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry （GF-AAS）. Comparisons with average concentrations of trace elements in Chinese coal show that the concentrations of Hg and Cd in the No. 11 coal seam, Antaibao surface mine are much higher. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of utilization. The variations of the trace elements contents and pyritic suffur in vertical section indicated that： （a） the concentrations of As, Pb, Mn, and pyritic sulfur decrease from roof to floor; （b） the concentrations of Cr, Zn and Mo are higher in roof, floor and lower in coal seam; （c） the concentration of Br, Sb, and Hg are higher in coal seam and lower in roof and floor; （d） the concentrations of Mo, V, Th and AI vary consistently with the ash yield. Cluster analysis of trace elements, pyritic sulfur, ash yield and major elements, such as AI, Fe, P, Ca shows that： （a） pyritic sulfur, Fe, As, Mn, Ni, Be are closely associated and reflect the influence of pyrite; （b） Mo, Se, Pb, Cr, Th, Co, Ca and A! are related to clay mineral, which is the main source of ash; （c） U, Zn, V, Na, P maybe controlled by phosphate or halite; （d） Hg, Br, Sb and Cd may be mainly organic-associated elements which fall outside the three main groups. The concentration distribution characteristics of trace elements in coal seam and the cluster analysis of major and trace elements showed that the contents of trace elements in the No. 11 coal seam, Antaibao surface mine, are mainly controlled by detrital input and migration from roof and floor.     

卧龙湖煤矿岩浆蚀变煤层中汞的分布与赋存特征

系统采集淮北卧龙湖煤矿岩浆蚀变煤层中岩浆岩、煤及顶底板岩石样品,测试分析了样品中汞、灰分、挥发分、水 分以及各形态硫的含量,探讨了岩浆蚀变煤层中汞的分布与赋存特征。结果表明：（1） 岩浆侵入导致煤中灰分升高,挥发 分降低,煤中硫主要以黄铁矿硫和有机硫存在;（2） 岩浆侵入导致煤中汞的富集,卧龙湖煤矿岩浆蚀变煤层中汞的平均含 量高达0.23×10-6,是华北石炭-二叠纪煤、中国煤以及美国煤中汞的平均含量的1.4 倍,1.2 倍和1.3 倍;（3） 煤中汞的含量 随离岩浆侵入体距离增大有逐渐降低的趋势,但在煤岩接触带附近,汞在岩浆侵入体上方和下方的煤中呈现不同的分布特 征;（4） 煤中的汞主要以无机结合态的形式存在,且大部分赋存在煤中的黄铁矿中,同时亦存在与有机硫结合的汞。岩浆 热液对煤层的侵入,导致煤质以及煤中汞的含量和赋存方式发生了显著变化。     

Petrological,geochemical, and mineralogical compositions of the low-Ge coals from the Shengli Coalfield,China: A comparative study with Ge-rich coals and a formation model for coal-hosted Ge ore deposit

To better understand the formation mechanism of coal-hosted Ge ore deposits, this paper reports on the petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical compositions of the low-Ge coals in the Shengli Coalfield (Inner Mongolia, China), using optical microscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The samples in the present study closely neighbor the previously-reported Wulantuga coal-hosted Ge ore deposit (both No. 6 Coal). In comparison with the Wulantuga Ge-rich coals, the low-Ge coals of the Shengli field display higher moisture (27.59% on average) and lower pyritic sulfur contents (0.53%). Both the low-Ge and Ge-rich coals are generally high in inertinite, and have varying but relatively low huminite contents. Preservation of fecal pellets as macrinite is notable in both the low-Ge and Ge-rich coals, and the position of the fecal pellets appears to be within tunnels or chambers within the wood. Quartz, kaolinite, pyrite, and gypsum are the major crystalline phases identified in most of the Ge-rich and low-Ge coals, but the low-Ge coals contain significantly less pyrite and are more abundant in non-mineral Ca and Mg. Ca-oxalate of authigenic origin is observed, generally occurring as cell-fillings in the low-Ge coals. Otherwise mineral-free organic matter in the low-Ge coals would be expected to have an inherent ash yield of around 6%, derived from the inorganic elements (mainly non-mineral Ca and Mg) that occur either in the organic matter or as dissolved ions in the pore water and form the sulfate species in low-temperature (oxygen-plasma) ash residues. The highly-elevated trace elements, including Be, Ge, As, Sb, W, Hg, and Tl, that occur in the Ge-rich coals of the Wulantuga deposit, are significantly depleted in the low-Ge coals. Lateral migration of Ge–W- and As–Hg–Sb–Tl-rich solutions through the original peat swamp for the Wulantuga Ge ore deposit has led to significant enrichment of Ge on the margin of the coal basin but decreasing Ge concentrations toward to the inner part of the basin. Such a migration direction is different to those in the previously-reported for the hydrothermal solutions in the Lincang (Yunnan of China) and Spetzugli (Russian Far East) Ge ore deposits, where the solutions migrated vertically from granite to peat along faults and led to a dome-shaped Ge distribution in the relevant coal seam.     

From in-situ coal to fly ash: a study of coal mines and power plants from Indiana

This paper presents data on the properties of coal and fly ash from two coal mines and two power plants that burn single-source coal from two mines in Indiana. One mine is in the low-sulfur (<1%) Danville Coal Member of the Dugger Formation (Pennsylvanian) and the other mines the high-sulfur (>5%) Springfield Coal Member of the Petersburg Formation (Pennsylvanian). Both seams have comparable ash contents (11%). Coals sampled at the mines (both raw and washed fractions) were analyzed for proximate/ultimate/sulfur forms/heating value, major oxides, trace elements and petrographic composition. The properties of fly ash from these coals reflect the properties of the feed coal, as well as local combustion and post-combustion conditions. Sulfur and spinel content, and As, Pb and Zn concentrations of the fly ash are the parameters that most closely reflect the properties of the source coal.     

Concentration and distribution of trace elements in some coals from Northern China

The concentration, distribution and modes of occurrence of trace elements in thirty coals, four floors and two roofs from Northern China were studied. The samples were collected from the major coalfields of Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The concentrations of seventeen potential hazardous trace elements, including Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, Br, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Be, Sb, Th, V, U, Zn, and five major elements P, Na, Fe, Al, and Ca in coals were determined.Compared with average concentration of trace elements in Chinese coal, the coals from Northern China contain a higher concentration of Hg, Se, Cd, Mn, and Zn. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of combustion and utilization. Vertical variations of trace elements in three coal seams indicated the distributions of most elements in coal seam are heterogeneous. Based on statistical analyses, trace elements including Mo, Cr, Se, Th, Pb, Sb, V, Be and major elements including Al, P shows an affinity to ash content. In contrast, Br is generally associated with organic matter. Elements As, Ni, Be, Mo, and Fe appear to be associated with pyrite. The concentrations of trace elements weakly correlate either to coal rank or to maceral compositions.     

晋北-宁北煤中痕量元素的地球化学特征

应用仪器中子活化 (INAA)、电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱 (ICP- AES)和原子吸收光谱 (AAS)等方法测定了晋北-宁北一线 5对矿井、 2个露天矿、 5个电厂和 3个洗煤厂煤中环境敏感性痕量元素的含量;通过与中国土壤、其他地区煤以及世界范围煤中痕量元素含量进行对比,总结了研究区痕量元素的分布、富集特征,得知部分地区煤中 Hg、 Cd和 Se的含量较高,在燃烧利用过程中可能对环境造成影响.通过分析痕量元素与灰分、挥发分的相关性以及痕量元素间、痕量元素与 Al、 Fe和 Sp的相关、聚类特性,探讨了痕量元素间及其与矿物质间的亲合性及赋存特征.     

The occurrence of potentially hazardous trace elements in five Highveld coals, South Africa

Permian coals of the southern hemisphere are generally considered to contain lower concentrations of sulfides, halogens, and trace elements when compared to northern hemisphere Carboniferous coals. Few studies have considered the trace element content in South African coals, and little or no work has been published for Highveld coals. Of the nineteen coal fields in South Africa, the Highveld coal field is one of the nine currently producing, and is second largest in terms of production. Five run of mine samples and a high ash middlings product from the Number 4 Lower seam were analyzed, totaling six sample sets. Fourteen trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, V, and Zn) were selected for this study based on the global perception that these elements may be hazardous to human health and/or the environment when they are released during coal utilization. Several sample preparation techniques were tested using certified reference materials (SARMs 18, 19 and 20) to determine the most repeatable technique for these coals. The samples were analyzed by ICP-AES and CVAA (Hg only). Microwave digestion proved to be generally unreliable despite the utilization of several different methods. A slurry direct injection method into the ICP-AES provided good correlations with the reference material, but requires further development to enhance the confidence level in this relatively unexplored technique. Samples prepared based on three ASTM standards for the determination of trace elements in coal provided repeatable results in most instances, and were the preparation methods utilized for the Highveld coals.The trace element values determined for the Highveld coals are generally in good agreement with values available in literature for South African coals, with the exception of Hg, Mn and Cr. Hg values reported here are lower, Cr and Mn higher. Results generally agree well with analyses on the same samples conducted by the United States Geological Survey. When considering the global ranges for trace elements, the Highveld range values are within Swaine's range boundaries with the exception of Cr. Compared to the cited global average values for the fourteen trace elements determined, the values obtained for the Highveld coals generally fall below or well below these average values, with the exception of Cr and Mn. Concentrations of Cd and Cu are lower compared to global average values, and As, Mo, Pb, Se, Sb, and Zn can be considered low to very low. Arsenic is ten times lower compared to typical USA values. Concentrations of Co and Ni are similar to global averages, with V and Hg being very slightly higher. The middlings samples reported higher concentrations of most elements, related to the higher ash content of these samples. Of interest, the chalcophile elements determined are all depleted in the Highveld coals compared to global averages, and the siderophile elements are enriched or comparable to global averages.Risk-based health studies in the USA on coals with similar or higher Hg and significantly higher As contents have not reported negative health effects, and therefore it could be assumed that the mobilization of these trace elements from the five Highveld coals are unlikely to cause human health problems. Work is ongoing to determine the modes of occurrence of these HAPs and to address the partitioning behaviors and speciation states of these elements during coal utilization.     

Geochemistry of Sulfur and Hazardous Elements in Late Paleozoic Coals and Partings from Taozao Coalfield, Shandong Province, China

Intermsoftheharmfulmattersincoalandcoalminingwastes,thefirstisabouthazardouselements ,theotherin cludessulfurandhazardousorganicmatter.Muchresearchontracetoxicelementsandtheirimpactsonenvironmenthasbeeninvestigatedinmanycountries (Goodarzi,1995 ;Finkelman ,1994 ;Chouetal.,1982 ) .Althoughthere searchconcerningthisaspectwasstartedmuchlaterinChi na ,manystudieshavebeenstrengthenedsince 1980 ,andmuchprogresshasbeenmade ,alargenumberofdatahavebeencollected ,andthecomparisonshavebeenmadeforthedata…     

新疆三塘湖盆地芦草沟组油页岩特征及成矿背景

石头梅地区是新疆三塘湖盆地二叠系芦草沟组油页岩的主要分布区域,为了研究其油页岩特征和成矿背景,在岩心详细观察和系统取样的基础上,识别出油页岩7层,对油页岩开展了有机碳、岩石热解、灰分、挥发份、含油率、发热量、全硫、主量元素、微量元素测试分析.结果表明,三塘湖盆地石头梅地区芦草沟组油页岩主要发育于芦二段,为特低-低硫型、...     

官寨井田9号煤层煤质特征分析与评价

官寨井田位于贵州省黔西县西南部,已查明井田内9号煤层矿产资源量6 405万t,潜在矿产资源量1 278万t;9号煤为中—细条带状结构,似金属光泽,参差状断口,内、外生裂隙较发育,属中等可磨煤;宏观煤岩类型为半暗—半亮型,显微煤岩类型为微镜惰煤;煤质为中高灰分、特低挥发份、中高固定碳、中高硫、特低磷、中热值、高稳定性的三号无烟煤,可作动力煤和民用燃煤使用。     

涡阳花沟西10号煤中微量元素的有机亲和性

为研究淮北矿区涡阳花沟西勘查区10号煤中微量元素的有机亲和性,共采集10个勘探钻孔煤样品,采用电感耦合等离子质谱仪ICP-MS分析了12种微量元素的含量;应用LECO碳硫分析仪测定了煤的总有机碳TOC,并通过两者的相关关系分析了元素的有机亲和性,结合元素的地球化学特征和煤样XRD物相鉴定结果,通过聚类分析进一步推断元素的赋存状态。结果表明:V、Cr、Co、Ni、Mo、Cd、Sb、Pb和Zn元素含量低于全国均值,没有异常富集,Be、Cu和Tl略高于全国均值;Cd具有较强的有机亲和性,Co、Zn、Be和Cr的有机亲和性较弱,V、Ni、Cu、Mo、Sb、Pb和Tl不具有机亲和性;V、Sb、Cu、Cr、Pb、Co和Ni主要以铝硅酸盐吸附态赋存,Cd主要以有机结合态赋存。      

Trace elements in high-S subbituminous coals from the teruel Mining District, northeast Spain

The elemental composition of high temperature ash (750°C) and forms of S were studied in 25 coal seams from the Escucha Formation (Middle Albian) in the Teruel Mining District, northeast Spain. The principal analytical method was ICP-MS, but ICP-ES was also used in the determination of some trace elements. The analytical data show wide ranges of trace element cotnents among the coal seams studied, even in the vertical profile of a single coal seam. These wide ranges of the trace element concentrations are attributed to both syngenetic and epigenetic processes.When a comparison was made between the average trace element contents of the Teruel Mining District coals, and those of the average content in worldwide coals, the Teruel coals show slightly higher concentrations of Be and U, and lower concentrations of Ba, Cd, Mn, Pb, Sr and Zr. Further, three main groups of trace elements were differentiated on the basis of the inorganic/organic association: (1) trace elements with inorganic affinity; Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, La, Mn, Ni, Rb and Zr. Between these, Ba, Ce, Cr and Rb show a well defined correlation with the clay mineral content, and Co and Ni with pyritic-S content; (2) trace elements with an intermediate (mixed) affinity; As, Cd, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ge, Ho, Lu, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Sb, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Tm, U, Yb and Zn. In this group, As, Cd, Cu, Ge, Mo, Th, U and Zn show a weak trend associated with the mineral matter and Sr with the organic matter; and (3) Be shows an organic affinity. The high mineral matter content (21.3% HTA) of the Teruel coals may account for the great number of elements with inorganic affinity. This classification represents a general trend, but the results show that the affinities of some trace elements (e.g. As, Sb and Zn) may vary from one coal seam to another in the Teruel Mining District.     

阿富汗科里奇-阿什普什塔勘查区煤层煤质特征研究

阿富汗科里奇一阿什普什塔勘查区面积约69．098km^2,含煤地层为侏罗系中统和下统。侏罗系中统下段阿什普塔组含一层可采煤层,即7煤层。侏罗系下统科里奇组下段含可采煤4层,分别为4、2、2、2F煤层,其中2煤层为西部主要可采煤层,总资源量11389．6万t。7煤层煤质为低灰、特低硫、特低磷、中热值、中等软化温度灰之不粘煤;其他煤层均为中-高灰、低硫、低磷、中热值、高挥发份、中等软化温度灰之长焰煤。     

宁夏红墩子矿区煤质特征及工业用途评价

红墩子矿区位于银川市黄河以东,矿区面积较大,煤炭资源量可观。从煤的物理性质、煤岩特征、煤的化学性质和工艺性能等方面分析,认为矿区的煤具有高挥发分、中—高灰、低—高硫、低磷、中热值、中—强粘结,高热稳定性、高软化温度灰、较难磨、较难选的特点,煤类为气煤,原煤或浮选后的精煤可作为炼焦用煤、动力用煤、气化用煤等。     

Organic petrology of Paleocene Marcelina Formation coals, Paso Diablo mine, western Venezuela: Tectonic controls on coal type

About 7 Mt of high volatile bituminous coal are produced annually from the four coal zones of the Upper Paleocene Marcelina Formation at the Paso Diablo open-pit mine of western Venezuela. As part of an ongoing coal quality study, we have characterized twenty-two coal channel samples from the mine using organic petrology techniques. Samples also were analyzed for proximate–ultimate parameters, forms of sulfur, free swelling index, ash fusion temperatures, and calorific value.Six of the samples represent incremental benches across the 12–13 m thick No. 4 bed, the stratigraphically lowest mined coal, which is also mined at the 10 km distant Mina Norte open-pit. Organic content of the No. 4 bed indicates an upward increase of woody vegetation and/or greater preservation of organic material throughout the life of the original mire(s). An upward increase in telovitrinite and corresponding decrease in detrovitrinite and inertinite illustrate this trend. In contrast, stratigraphically higher coal groups generally exhibit a ‘dulling upward’ trend.The generally high inertinite content, and low ash yield and sulfur content, suggest that the Paso Diablo coals were deposited in rain-fed raised mires, protected from clastic input and subjected to frequent oxidation and/or moisture stress. However, the two thinnest coal beds (both 0.7 m thick) are each characterized by lower inertinite and higher telovitrinite content relative to the rest of Paso Diablo coal beds, indicative of less well-established raised mire environments prior to drowning.Foreland basin Paleocene coals of western Venezuela, including the Paso Diablo deposit and time-correlative coal deposits of the Táchira and Mérida Andes, are characterized by high inertinite and consistently lower ash and sulfur relative to Eocene and younger coals of the area. We interpret these age-delimited coal quality characteristics to be due to water availability as a function of the tectonic control of subsidence rate. It is postulated that slower subsidence rates dominated during the Paleocene while greater foreland basin subsidence rates during the Eocene–Miocene resulted from the loading of nappe thrust sheets as part of the main construction phases of the Andean orogen. South-southeastward advance and emplacement of the Lara nappes during the oblique transpressive collision of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates in the Paleocene was further removed from the sites of peat deposition, resulting in slower subsidence rates. Slower subsidence in the Paleocene may have favored the growth of raised mires, generating higher inertinite concentrations through more frequent moisture stress. Consistently low ash yield and sulfur content would be due to the protection from clastic input in raised mires, in addition to the leaching of mineral matter by rainfall and the development of acidic conditions preventing fixation of sulfur. In contrast, peat mires of Eocene–Miocene age encountered rapid subsidence due to the proximity of nappe emplacement, resulting in lower inertinite content, higher and more variable sulfur content, and higher ash yield.     

Modes of Occurrence and Cleaning Potential of Trace Elements in Coals from the Northern Ordos Basin and Shanxi Province, China

Based on the analyses of 43 elements in 16 samples of the raw coal and feed coal collected from the northern Ordos basin and Shanxi Province, the modes of occurrence of these elements were studied using the method of cluster analysis and factor analysis, and the cleaning potential of the hazardous elements relatively enriched in the coals was discussed by analyzing six samples of the cleaned coal from the coal-washing plants and coal cleaning simulation experiments. The results shows that the elements Br and Ba show a strong affinity to the organic matter, Cs, Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg partly to the organic matter, and the other trace elements are mainly associated with the mineral matter. Cs, Mo, P, Pb, Zn and S have positive correlations with the two principal factors, reflecting the complexity of their modes of occurrence. Some elements that were thought to show a faint relationship (Be with S and Sb with carbonates) in other rocks are found to have a strong interrelation in the coals. Clay minerals (mainly k     

The geology, petrology, palynology and geochemistry of Permian coal basins in Tanzania: 2. Songwe-Kiwira Coalfield

This study provides coal quality, petrological, palynological and geochemical (Rock Eval) data on Permian coal seams and associated shales and mudstones of the Karoo Supergroup of the Songwe-Kiwira Coalfield, Tanzania. The coal seams, which have a cumulative thickness of 6.80 m, occur in the shale–coal–sandstone facies of the Mchuchuma Formation of Artinskian to Kungurian(?) age.Coal quality data (calorific values, volatile matter contents) and vitrinite reflectances indicate high volatile C bituminous to high volatile A bituminous coals, having relatively high ash yields (22–49 wt.%) and highly variable sulphur contents (0.17–9.2 wt.%). They could be used to fuel small-scale power generation units thereby providing electricity to nearby towns and villages. Also, the coals could be used as a substitute for wood, which is becoming increasingly scarce. In rural Tanzania, charcoal is still the main energy source for cooking, and wood is used extensively in brick kilns and for making roofing tiles.Petrological analysis indicated that the coals are dominated by dull to banded dull lithotypes, with seams at the base of the Mchuchuma Formation enriched in inertinite macerals (up to 83 vol.%), whereas up-section vitrinite contents increase. Palynological analyses indicated that the assemblage in the lower Mchuchuma Formation (Scheuringipollenites assemblage) is dominated by trilete spores, whereas in the remainder of the section, non-taeniate disaccates dominate (Scheuringipollenites–Protohaploxypinus assemblage). Facies critical macerals suggest for most seams a marsh/wet forest swamp depositional setting, which is consistent with the palynological data.Rock Eval analyses indicate type II/III kerogen, with Tmax (°C) values ranging from 426 to 440, corresponding to the early stage of hydrocarbon generation. Thermal Alteration Indices (2 to 2+) and vitrinite reflectance levels (0.60–0.83 Ro (%) support the Rock Eval maturity assessment, and despite the predominance of terrestrial-derived organic matter, there is evidence of oil generation and expulsion in the form of cavity and fracture filling exsudatinite.