青海祁漫塔格卡尔却卡铜多金属矿区花岗闪长岩锆石SHRIMP U－Pb测年及其地质意义

笔者在对青海祁漫塔格地区卡尔却卡铜多金属矿床进行典型解剖基础之上,开展了矿区内与矽卡岩型铁铜铅锌多金属矿化具有密切成因联系的花岗闪长岩的岩石地球化学和锆石SHRIMP U-Pb精细定年研究.结果表明:花岗闪长岩为高钾钙碱性系列,轻稀土富集,轻重稀土分异明显,具弱的负铕异常(δEu=0.61～0.91);微量元素以富集大离子亲石元素Rb、K、Th,亏损Nb、Sr、Ti为特征;获得15个锆石数据点的206Pb/238U年龄为(237±2)Ma(MSWD=0.8),表明岩体形成于中三叠世,属印支期岩浆活动的产物.结合年代学、岩石地球化学和区域地质构造演化特征,笔者认为本区花岗闪长岩形成的构造环境为后碰撞演化阶段.     

新疆维宝多金属矿区辉绿岩脉SIMS年代学和地球化学

东昆仑造山带海西期-印支期岩浆活动强烈,不仅出露大规模的中酸性侵入体,还发育数量较多的辉绿岩脉(墙)。相对于中酸性侵入体,目前对辉绿岩脉(墙)的研究还较薄弱。本文对新疆维宝多金属矿区辉绿岩脉进行了年代学和地球化学研究,确定了其形成时代,探讨了其形成的构造背景和岩石成因。SIMS锆石U-Pb测年结果显示:维宝多金属矿区辉绿岩形成于227.5±3.3Ma(1σ,MSWD=2.0),为晚三叠世。结合尚未发表的年代学资料,将维宝矽卡岩矿床成矿母岩侵位时间限定于232~227.5Ma之间,这一范围与祁漫塔格矽卡岩多金属矿床成矿母岩就位的峰期年龄一致。主量元素组成上,这些辉绿岩高SiO_2、K_2O,低MgO、Al_2O_3、CaO、FeO和Na_2O,大部分为钙碱性岩;轻重稀土元素分馏强,LaN/YbN5,大部分样品δEu介于0.73和0.77之间,因此在稀土元素配分曲线上表现为具有明显Eu负异常的右倾型配分模式;在微量元素蛛网图上,相对于原始地幔选择性富集大离子亲石元素(如LREE)、亏损高场强元素(如Ti、P元素等)。尽管维宝多金属矿区辉绿岩地球化学组成具有弧岩浆岩的特征,但根据区域构造演化历史,本文认为维宝矿区辉绿岩形成于后碰撞拉伸环境。其稀土和微量元素所显示的弧岩浆特征可能来源于早期俯冲物质对源区的混染。印支晚期东昆仑祁漫塔格地区幔源岩浆底侵作用导致下地壳部分熔融并分异出长英质岩浆,二者在上升过程中发生混合作用并最终在维宝矿区形成时代接近、稀土和微量元素组成相似的花岗闪长岩和辉绿岩脉。     

东昆仑小圆山铁多金属矿区斜长花岗斑岩锆石U-Pb测年、岩石地球化学及找矿意义

东昆仑祁漫塔格地区是青海省重要的矽卡岩型铁多金属成矿带,小圆山矽卡岩型铁多金属矿位于青海祁漫塔格东段,其成矿作用与斜长花岗斑岩关系密切,矿体产于斜长花岗斑岩的外接触带。利用LA-MC-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年技术,获得斜长花岗斑岩加权平均年龄为(216.9±1.9)Ma(n=16,MSWD=2.9),厘定其形成时代为晚三叠世。岩石地球化学研究表明,斜长花岗斑岩为过铝质高钾钙碱性系列岩石。岩石明显富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、K)、LREE和活泼的不相容元素(如U、Th),相对亏损高场强元素(如Nb、Ta、P、Ti),显示了轻稀土元素强烈富集的右倾式稀土配分型式,呈明显负Eu异常。综合青海祁漫塔格地区已有年代学资料和区域地质构造演化特征,认为小圆山斜长花岗斑岩可能形成于后碰撞构造阶段,为区域东昆仑造山带晚古生代—早中生代构造旋回的产物。     

东昆仑祁漫塔格地区晚三叠世正长花岗岩岩石成因及构造意义

青海省东昆仑祁漫塔格地区肯德可克矿区外围东部发育一正长花岗岩体,主要矿物组合为正长石(50%~60%)+石英(20%~30%)+斜长石(10%~20%)+黑云母(1%~5%)。其LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb加权平均年龄为217.9±1.7 Ma(MSWD=0.74,n=20),形成时代为晚三叠世,与祁漫塔格地区铁多金属矿床基本同时形成。岩石地球化学组成具有高硅(Si O2=74.53%~75.28%)、富碱(K2O+Na2O=8.81%~8.95%)、富铁贫镁(Fe OT/Mg O=18.02~31.48)的特征,并具强烈的负Eu异常(δEu=0.04~0.05),富集Rb、Th、U、K、Ga,亏损Sr、Ba、Ta、P、Ti,显示其为准铝质A型花岗岩。正长花岗岩锆石εHf(t)为2.0~12.4,平均6.4,显示其源区具有壳幔混合作用的特征,壳幔物质交换为区内铁多金属矿化提供了大量成矿物质。该正长花岗岩属A2型花岗岩,暗示其形成于造山后的伸展构造体制,反映了祁漫塔格地区晚华力西-印支期造山旋回于晚三叠世由造山后期转为伸展阶段。     

新疆祁漫塔格花土沟地区中酸性侵入岩的年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

东昆仑祁漫塔格志留纪到泥盆纪岩浆活动强烈,其形成与大洋岩石圈俯冲造山、碰撞-后碰撞造山活动有关。本文对东昆仑祁漫塔格花土沟地区花岗闪长岩开展锆石U-Pb年代学、全岩地球化学研究,探讨岩石成岩过程及构造背景。花岗闪长岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果为(396.5±4.6) Ma,为早—中泥盆世岩浆活动产物。全岩SiO₂含量为63.01%～74.70%,显示高K₂O(1.53%～4.01%)、Na₂O(2.16%～3.80%)和Al₂O₃(12.95%～14.48%)特征,Mg^#为17.01～61.23,属钙碱性-高钾钙碱性系列岩石。稀土元素球粒陨石标准化配分曲线呈中等倾斜的右倾平滑型曲线,具有负铕异常(δEu=0.48～0.72),微量元素蛛网图显示富集Rb、Th、La、Ce等大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ba等高场强元素,属I型花岗岩。结合岩体成岩年龄、地球化学特征与区域构造演化,认为花岗闪长岩为造山带地壳物质特别是增生地壳物质的部分...     

新疆东昆仑于沟子地区与铁-稀有多金属成矿有关的碱性花岗岩地球化学、年代学及Hf同位素研究

东昆仑祁漫塔格地区是近年来发现的具有优越多金属成矿条件的地区,区内中-酸性侵入岩广泛发育且与成矿关系密切。于沟子铁-稀有多金属矿床位于祁漫塔格地区西部,矿床主要由产于钾长花岗岩外接触带矽卡岩内的铁-铜(钼)多金属矿化体及产于花岗岩体内部的铌、铷等稀有元素矿化体组成。锆石LA-MC-ICP-MS定年测得钾长花岗岩U-Pb年龄为210.0±0.6Ma,属晚三叠世末期岩浆活动的产物。岩体主要由条纹长石(60%~65%)、斜长石(10%~15%)、石英(20%~22%)、钠闪石(4%~5%)和少量黑云母(1%~2%)等组成,为典型的碱性花岗岩。地球化学特征上,该岩体具有高硅、高钾、准铝、钙碱性特点,富Nb、Zr、Rb、Th、U,贫Ba、Sr、P、Ti等元素,稀土元素总量较高,富集轻稀土,具强烈的负Eu异常(δEu=0.09~0.26),属于A型花岗岩。锆石εHf(t)值为-6.71~2.25,平均为-1.15,二阶段Hf模式年龄(t DM2)为1102~1674Ma,显示在成岩过程中有地幔物质的参与。综合研究认为,于沟子岩体形成于晚三叠世末后造山板内伸展阶段,该碱性花岗岩的确定,标志着东昆仑祁漫塔格地区在晚三叠世末(212~210Ma)已逐步演化为伸展构造背景下的后造山构造阶段。同时矿床的成矿时代、氧同位素及电子探针结果均显示花岗岩与铁-稀有多金属成矿有关,指示出该类型碱性花岗岩具有良好的铁-稀有多金属成矿潜力。     

青海祁漫塔格小圆山铁多金属矿区英云闪长岩LA-MC-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年及其地质意义

东昆仑祁漫塔格地区是青海省重要的矽卡岩型铁多金属成矿带,小圆山矽卡岩型铁多金属矿位于青海祁漫塔格东段。利用LA-MC-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年技术,获得小圆山铁多金属矿区与成矿关系密切的英云闪长岩加权平均年龄为(217.7±1.1)Ma(n=36,MSWD=2.5),厘定其形成时代为晚三叠世,属印支晚期。岩石地球化学研究表明,英云闪长岩为准铝质高钾钙碱性系列岩石。岩石明显富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、K)、LREE和活泼的不相容元素(如U、Th),相对亏损高场强元素(如Nb、Ta、P、Zr、Ti),显示了轻稀土元素强烈富集的右倾式稀土元素配分型式,具有弱的负Eu异常。青海祁漫塔格地区已有的年代学资料和区域地质构造演化特征综合表明,小圆山英云闪长岩可能形成于后碰撞构造阶段,为区域东昆仑造山带晚古生代-早中生代构造旋回的产物。     

东昆仑祁漫塔格虎头崖铅锌多金属矿区花岗岩年代学、地球化学及Hf同位素特征

虎头崖铅锌多金属矿床位于东昆仑祁漫塔格地区,矿区内中酸性侵入岩体广泛发育,且与成矿关系密切。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素年龄测试表明,虎头崖Ⅴ矿带外围花岗闪长岩形成时代为(224.3±0.6)Ma,Ⅷ号矿带矿体下部正长花岗岩形成时代为(239.7±0.8)Ma,岩体形成时代为中—晚三叠世。岩石地球化学表明,花岗闪长岩富钾贫钠(K2O/Na2O为2.02~2.88),无明显负Eu异常(δEu为0.68~1.06),富集Rb、Th、U、K等大离子亲石元素,明显亏损Nb、P、Ti等元素,属I型花岗岩;正长花岗岩具高硅、富碱、低铁镁、贫钙磷钛的特征,负Eu强烈(δEu为0.08~0.26),富集Rb、Th、U、K,亏损P、Ti、Ba、Sr,属高分异I型花岗岩;二者均形成于后碰撞构造背景;Hf同位素组成不均一,指示其经历了壳幔岩浆混合作用,幔源物质的加入可能带来了丰富的成矿物质。     

东昆仑马尼特金矿床赋矿花岗闪长岩锆石U-Pb年龄及岩石地球化学特征

马尼特金矿床位于东昆仑木孜塔格-布青山蛇绿混杂岩带,是近年来在东昆仑发现的与马尔争组地层有关的构造蚀变岩型小型金矿床,矿体主要赋存于晚三叠世花岗闪长岩与围岩的接触部位。本次研究通过对赋矿花岗闪长岩体的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,全岩主量元素、微量元素的研究,探讨了该岩体的形成时代,成因类型及其形成构造环境。结果显示:该花岗闪长岩的锆石U-Pb年龄为213.25 Ma±0.62 Ma(MSWD=0.99),代表其侵入时代为晚三叠世。岩石w(SiO2)在66.96%~68.3%之间,K2O/Na2O=0.54~0.63,相对富钠,贫w(MnO)(平均0.03%),w(P2O5)(0.14%~0.16%)和w(TiO2)(0.4%~0.46%),A/CNK值为1.05~1.16,平均1.106,w(Al2O3)介于15.37%~15.72%之间,里特曼指数δ值为1.43%~1.89%,TFeO/MgO为1.72~1.84,DI为74.19~79.94,表明其为过铝质、钙碱性系列的I型花岗岩。岩石稀土总量较低(ΣREE=110.67×10^-6~121.36×10^-6),表现出轻稀土富集而重稀土亏损的右倾曲线,LREE/HREE=13.54~15.12,[(La/Yb)N=20.42~20.7],轻重稀土分馏明显,负Eu异常中等(δEu介于0.94~0.99之间),大离子亲石元素Rb,Ba,Sr以及U,Th相对富集,高场强元素Nb,Ta及K,P,Ti相对亏损,具有火山弧花岗岩特征。结合其形成时代及区域构造背景,认为其形成于早-中生代巴颜喀拉地块和东昆仑地块后碰撞构造环境。     

青海贵德盆地扎仓沟花岗闪长岩成因及其地质意义——锆石U-Pb年龄、岩石地球化学及Hf同位素制约

青海贵德盆地广泛发育印支期花岗岩,但缺乏其深部地球化学特征、岩石成因及来源的研究,而这些问题的解决对于西秦岭印支期花岗岩形成背景研究有着重要意义。为此,本文选取贵德盆地扎仓沟地区钻孔ZR2花岗闪长岩样品为研究对象,对其进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年、全岩地球化学以及Lu-Hf同位素研究。锆石U-Pb同位素定年结果表明,花岗闪长岩的侵位年龄为(225.3±1.3)Ma,为晚三叠世岩浆活动的特点。主微量元素特征显示,花岗闪长岩为弱过铝质、高钾钙碱性系列岩石,表现出中等Eu负异常(δEu=0.59～0.91)、富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、U)、亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti)的特征。锆石Hf同位素组成显示,花岗闪长岩的ε_Hf(t)值为-7.70～0.22,对应的二阶段模式年龄(T_DM2)为1 747～1 243 Ma,表明贵德盆地扎仓沟地区花岗闪长岩为下地壳和岩石圈地幔熔融混合的产物。结合前人研究成果,认为研究区中花岗闪长岩的构造背景为阿尼玛卿—勉略洋闭合后的同碰撞至碰撞后伸展的过渡构造体系。     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案(1999/30/EC),对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

Regional distribution of Al,B, Ba,Ca, K,La, Mg,Mn, Na,P, Rb,Si, Sr,Th, U and Y in terrestrial moss within a 188,000 km2 area of the central Barents region: influence of geology,seaspray and human activity

Five hundred and ninety-eight samples of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected from a 188,000 km² area of the central Barents region (NE Norway, N Finland, NW Russia) were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analytical results for Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y concentrations are reported here. Graphical methods of data analysis, such as geochemical maps, cumulative frequency diagrams, boxplots and scatterplots, are used to interpret the origin of the patterns for these elements. None of the elements reported here are emitted in significant amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Despite the conventional view that moss chemistry reflects atmospheric element input, the nature of the underlying mineral substrate (regolith or bedrock) is found to have a considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. This influence of the chemistry of the mineral substrate can take place in a variety of ways. (1) It can be completely natural, reflecting the ability of higher plants to take up elements from deep soil horizons and shed them with litterfall onto the surface. (2) It can result from naturally increased soil dust input where vegetation is scarce due to harsh climatic conditions for instance. Alternatively, substrate influence can be enhanced by human activity, such as open-cast mining, creation of ‘technogenic deserts’, or handling, transport and storage of ore and ore products, all of which magnify the natural elemental flux from bedrock to ground vegetation. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss composition in the area (Mg, Na), and this is most visible in the Norwegian part of the study area. Presence or absence of some plant species, e.g., lichens, seems to influence moss chemistry. This is shown by the low concentrations of B or K in moss on the Finnish and Norwegian side of the (fenced) border with Russia, contrasting with high concentrations on the other side (intensive reindeer husbandry west of the border has selectively depleted the lichen population).     

Mercury,arsenic, antimony,and selenium contents of sediment from the Kuskokwim River,Bethel, Alaska,USA

The Kuskokwim River at Bethel, Alaska, drains a major mercury-antimony metallogenic province in its upper reaches and tributaries. Bethel (population 4000) is situated on the Kuskokwim floodplain and also draws its water supply from wells located in river-deposited sediment. A boring through overbank and floodplain sediment has provided material to establish a baseline datum for sediment-hosted heavy metals. Mercury (total), arsenic, antimony, and selenium contents were determined; aluminum was also determined and used as normalizing factor. The contents of the heavy metals were relatively constant with depth and do not reflect any potential enrichment from upstream contaminant sources.     

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.