Geochemistry of high-temperature coal ashes and the sedimentary environment of the New South Wales coals, Australia

Chemical analyses of high-temperature coal ashes were used to establish the distribution, association and relationship between major inorganic elements such as Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, P, S and CO₂ in a number of New South Wales economic coal seams and to study the composition and character of mineral matter in these coals. The methods used for the evaluation of the data were statistical analysis (univariate and bivariate), ratios, normative mineral composition and variation diagrams.The distribution of major and minor inorganic elements in coal appears to be related to the amount of mineral matter occurring in coal (determined as ash yield) and its mineralogical composition. The quantitative variations in levels of these elements can be classified as in-seam and inter-seam variations. In-seam variations are largely ash yield dependent, i.e. the levels of an element (wt.%) in coal increase along with the increase of its ash content (wt.%). The inter-seam variations are more complex and are related to both ash yield and to the mineralogical composition of mineral matter.The principal components of New South Wales coal ashes are silicon and aluminium. Silicon may be present as silica or combined with aluminium in different proportions to form clay minerals, such as kaolinite, illite, mixed-layer clay minerals, and smectite. Thus, the concentration levels of aluminium in relation to silicon in coal may give an indication about the character of clay minerals present in coal.Ratios and correlation coefficients of element pairs such as Al and Ti, Na and K, and Na and Al were used to determine differences in the chemical composition of high-temperature coal ashes of seams from various stratigraphic positions and provinces. In some seams the nature of associations of these elements is more significant than in others. This is interpreted as being a product of specific environmental conditions controlling the deposition of these seams.The nature of clay mineral content in coal is believed to be a major reason for chemical dissimilarities found between seams of various stratigraphic levels and geographic areas. For example, in some seams kaolinite, in others expandable clay minerals are dominant. The vertical distribution of these minerals has a stratigraphic significance. Within the Upper Permian Newcastle Coal Measures a trend from kaolinite-rich through to expandable minerals-rich and to kaolinite-rich assemblages can be observed from the bottom to the top. These changes are noticeably gradual.All significant variations in the clay mineral assemblages could relate to the long-term changes in the provenance of sedimentary material, weathering conditions in the source area and the rate of subsidence in the place of deposition. These changes are associated with major tectonic events controlling the history of sedimentation within the paralic Sydney and Gunnedah Basins during the Permian.     

Phase–mineral and chemical composition of composite samples from feed coals,bottom ashes and fly ashes at the Soma power station,Turkey

The phase–mineral and chemical composition of feed coals (FCs) and their bottom ashes (BAs) and fly ashes (FAs) produced in the Soma thermo-electric power station (TPS), Turkey, was characterized. FCs are high-ash Soma subbituminous coals abundant in moisture and Ca, and depleted in S. The inorganic composition (in decreasing order of significance) of FCs includes calcite, quartz, kaolinite, illite+muscovite, chlorite, plagioclase, gypsum, pyrite, montmorillonite, K-feldspar, dolomite, siderite, ankerite, opal, and volcanic glass. The results for 57 elements studied show that Ca>Nb>Cs>(V, Li) have significantly higher contents in FC ashes than the respective Clarke values for coal ashes. The water-soluble residues isolated from FCs include gypsum, calcite, inorganic amorphous matter, Ca–Mg–Na–K phase, and opal. These residues are enriched in Na>Se>S>B>Mg>Mo>Sr>Ca>K. The phase–mineral composition of BAs and FAs includes mainly glass, quartz, char, mullite, plagioclase, calcite, and portlandite; and, to a lesser extent, illite+muscovite, melilite, hematite, anhydrite, lime, cristobalite, kaolinite, and magnetite. Minor amounts of K-feldspar, dolomite, ankerite, Fe-spinel, gypsum, and Ca–K–Na phase also occur in BAs and FAs. FAs are enriched in inorganic matter, glass, cristobalite, mullite, Fe oxides, lime, and anhydrite, and depleted in mineral matter, char, quartz, clay minerals, melilite, portlandite, and carbonates in comparison with BAs. Only Se is significantly enriched in BAs and FAs compared to FC ashes. Most of the trace elements (in particular As, Bi, Cd, Ge, Pb, Sn, Tl, and W) are more abundant in FAs, while BAs are more enriched in Ca, Cs, Fe, Ho, Mn, P, Sc, Se and Tb. Significant percentages (11–59%) of elements initially present in FCs, namely S>Sb>Sn>Ta>Mo>Bi>Zn>Ni>Na>(Lu, Tm)>B, were emitted by stack emissions and not captured by the cleaning equipment in the Soma TPS. Some genetic features, properties, possible environmental concerns, and potential utilization directions related to FCs, BAs, and FAs are also discussed.     

Mechanisms of coal metamorphism: case studies from Paleozoic coalfields

Controls on coal metamorphism can be complex. In this paper, we examine four Paleozoic coalfields: the western Kentucky portion of the Illinois Basin, the Pennsylvania anthracite fields, the South Wales Coalfield, and the Bowen Basin. An increase in temperature with depth of burial is certainly a factor in coal metamorphism. In many coalfields, however, including the coalfields reviewed here, it has become apparent that such a simple mechanism does not explain the coal rank patterns observed. The flow of hydrothermal fluids through the coals has been proposed as a cause of coal metamorphism. Evidence includes inverted rank gradients, elevated CFL as an indicator of brine fluids, isotopic evidence for hydrothermal fluids, and vein and cleat mineral assemblages. In any case, multiple hypotheses must often be evaluated in the examination of any coalfield since the simple paradigm of coal rank increases with a simple increase in temperature with increasing depth does not fit the evidence observed in many cases.     

Geological fracture mapping in coalfields and the stress fields of the Sydney Basin

In the fracture pattern of the Sydney Basin, various fracture and stress domains that are spatially related can be recognised. At least for the western region of the Basin, periodic, relatively narrow domains (termed fault and joint swarms) that have a submeridional trend are believed to be similar to the Lapstone Monocline‐Kurrajong Fault structures, and may extend into the Lower Palaeozoic basement. An overall, horizontal N‐S and NE‐SW oriented principal compressive stress (σ₁) measured in collieries and inferred from earthquake events at depths of 10–20 km is a regional phenomenon (possibly Basin‐wide), which can be expected to be locally modified close to geological structures, especially in and close to fault and joint swarms, near major normal faults, and near minor thrust and strike‐slip faults. The interaction of colliery roadway drivage, local structures (faults and/or cleat) and the stress field permits inferences to be made about virgin stresses in coal seams. Some earthquakes coincide with fault and joint swarms, and others tend to have occurred close to or at swarm endpoints. It is concluded that the overall fracture pattern resulted from the cumulative development of fault and joint systems from mid‐Permian to Recent time. The comprehensive analysis of this pattern and its relationship to stress fields and seismic activity will require much more information.     

Palaeoenvironmental significance of the clay mineral composition of Olduvai basin deposits,northern Tanzania

Quaternary deposits in the southeastern part of the Olduvai basin, northern Tanzania, consist of lake margin deposits, followed by a series of fluvial sediments. The clay mineral fraction of the lake margin deposits (Bed I and lower part of Bed II) is composed of smectite and subordinate illite. All smectite is largely dioctahedral and shows indications for a limited degree of irregular interstratification by illite. In the overlying fluvial deposits (Beds II–IV), illite is the most abundant clay mineral. Smectite only occurs in lower parts of the fluvial deposits (up to the middle of Bed III), where it generally shows a high degree of irregular interstratification. Differences in clay mineral composition between the lake margin deposits and the fluvial deposits record differences in sediment source area and degree of alteration. Dioctahedral smectite in the lake margin deposits and the oldest fluvial deposits is derived from a region with volcanic material extending to the east and south of the basin, which also supplies a certain amount of illite. Illite in the fluvial deposits of Bed IV originates from an area with a metamorphic bedrock to the west and north. Alteration of detrital clay minerals resulted in Mg-enrichment of dioctahedral smectite in part of the lake margin deposits and partial illitization of smectite in the older fluvial deposits. Formation of clay minerals during diagenesis or soil development is not documented by analysis of the total clay fraction.     

Origin of large-scale crossbeds in the late permian coal measures of the Sydney and Bowen basins,eastern Australia

Theories proposed for the origin of large-scale crossbeds may be generalised into two main categories. The first suggests the large sigmoidal shape of the sediment layers results from variable differential compaction during and after deposition, whereas the second infers that the high angle of the crossbeds is the result of primary depositional processes.Britten (1983) has proposed that large-scale inclined strata may be produced according to his cide model whilst Mallett (1983) has suggested that such structures are produced by channel automigration. Parbury (1976) and Conaghan (1981), both proponents of the primary depositional model, interpret the large-scale inclined strata as foreset beds of a Gilbert-type delta prograding into deep (50 m water depth) lakes within which floating islands produce allochthonous deposits from hydroponic vegetation. Marchioni (1976, 1982), however, envisages that the large-scale inclined strata are epsilon crossbeds which have tilted during differential subsidence of peat swamps over which active channel systems have encroached.Nine kilometers of almost continuous high wall exposures have been studied in the Moura-Kianga Coal Mine of the southeastern Bowen Basin and it is concluded that none of the above-mentioned processes can explain the present configuration of sedimentary layering observed in these high walls at the Moura-Kianga Coal Mine. It is proposed that there the high-angle large-scale inclined strata have originated as primary features associated with a crevasse sub-delta. Subsidence in excess of vegetation accumulation within the peat swamp provides the mechanism whereby a shallow lake developed and into which a crevasse sub-delta was deposited. Similar processes have been described by Coleman and Prior (1980) from the Mississippi delta.     

Generation and expulsion of oils from Permian coals of the Sydney Basin,Australia

Organic geochemical and petrological assessment of coals/coaly shales and fine grained sediments, coupled with organic geochemical analyses of oil samples, all from Permo–Triassic sections of the Southern Sydney Basin (Australia), have enabled identification of the source for the widely distributed oil shows and oil seeps in this region. The Permian coals have higher hydrogen indices, higher liptinite contents, and much higher total organic matter extract yields than the fine grained sediments. A variety of source specific parameters obtained from n-alkanes, regular isoprenoids, terpanes, steranes and diasteranes indicate that the oil shows and seeps were generated and expelled predominantly from higher plant derived organic matter deposited in oxic environments. The source and maturity related biomarkers and aromatic hydrocarbon distributions of the oils are similar to those of the coals. The oil-coal relationship also is demonstrated by similarities in the carbon isotopic composition of the total oils, coal extracts, and their individual n-alkanes. Extracts from the Permo–Triassic fine grained sediments, on the other hand, have organic geochemical signatures indicative of mixed terrestrial and prokaryotic organic matter deposited in suboxic environments, which are significantly different from both the oils and coal extracts. The molecular signatures indicating the presence of prokaryotic organic matter in some of the coal extracts and oils may be due to thin sections of possibly calcareous lithologies interbedded within the coal measures. The genetic relationship between the oils and coals provides new evidence for the generation and expulsion of oils from the Permian coals and raises the possibility for commercial oil accumulations in the Permian and Early Triassic sandstones, potentially in the deeper offshore part of the Sydney Basin.     

Subduction-related Late Permian shoshonites of the Sydney Basin, Australia

Summary The Late Permian shoshonitic province of the southern Sydney Basin consists of lavas and intrusions confined to a 140 km long coastal belt, but geophysical and sedimentological data indicate that the province once had a length of at least 340 km. Both petrographic and geochemical data indicate shoshonitic affinities for these Late Permian rocks and, although the compositional range is from 48.4 to 60.6% SiO₂, all units except an andesite lava have <55% SiO₂. Subduction-related attributes of the province include enrichment in Al₂O₃ and LILE (Rb, K and LREE), depletion in HFSE (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Ti), low Nb/U, and Sr/Nd of 30–35. Initial (at 250 Ma)⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranges from 0.70294 to 0.70440 whereas _Nd values range from +5.11 to +2.14 and plot almost exclusively in the mantle array. Low MgO and mg-numbers (maximum 7.37% and 64.5, respectively) demonstrate that none of the shoshonites represent primary magmas in equilibrium with mantle peridotite. Isotopic data and elemental contents are not supportive of a model in which crustal contamination is the dominant process in magma petrogenesis, but do not exclude contamination with Sr-rich material having a low⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and high _Nd values.A temporal correlation between igneous rocks from the southern Sydney Basin, Dampier Ridge, New England and Tasmania indicates a widespread magmatic event which was, at least in part, shoshonitic in character and which developed in response to subduction along the east coast of Gondwanaland. The geochemical similarity between the Dampier Ridge and Sydney Basin samples does not support a model for spatial compositional variation across a subduction-related magmatic belt but, coupled with the variations in isotopic ratios, implies heterogeneity in the source.

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Spät-permische Schoschonite des Sidney Beckens in Australien

Zusammenfassung Die spät-permische Schoschonit Provinz des südlichen Sidney Beckens besteht aus Laven und Intrusionen, die in einem 140 km langen Gürtel längs der Küste auftreten. Geophysikalische und sedimentologische Daten weisen darauf hin, daß diese Provinz ursprünglich eine Länge von mindestens 340 km hatte. Sowohl petrographische wie geochemische Daten weisen auf schoschonitische Affinität dieser spät-permischen Gesteine hin. Obwohl die SiO₂ Gehalte von 48.4 bis 60.6% schwanken, haben alle Einheiten mit Ausnahme einer andesitischen Lava < 55%. Auf Subduktion weisen u.a. Anreicherungen an Al₂O₃ und LILE (Rb, K and LREE), die Verarmung an HFSE (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Ti) niedrige Nb/U und Sr/Nd von ungefähr 30–35 hin. Die⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr Initiale, berechnet für 250 Ma, liegen zwischen 0.70294 und 0.70440 und die _Nd-Werte zwischen +5,11 und +2,14 und fallen fast ausschließlich in den Mantel-Bereich. Niedrige MgO und mg-Zahlen (Maximal 7,37% bzw. 64,5) zeigen, daß die Schoschonite nicht primäre Magmen, die mit Mantelperidotiten im Gleichgewicht sind, darstellen. Isotopendaten und Elementgehalte weisen nicht auf ein Modell hin, bei dem Krusten-Kontamination bei der Magmen-Genese eine wichtige Rolle spielte, aber eine Nichtkontamination mit Material, das niedrige⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr Werte und hohe _Nd Werte hat, ist nicht auszuschließen. Eine zeitliche Beziehung zwischen den magmatischen Gesteinen des südlichen Sydney-Beckens, dem Dampier Ridge, Neuengland und Tasmanien weist auf ein weit verbreitetetes magmatisches Ereignis hin, das zumindest teilweise schoschonitischen Charakter hatte und das auf Subduktion längs der Ostküste von Gondwanaland zurückführbar ist. Die geochemische Ähnlichkeit von Proben des Dampier Ridge und des Sydney Beckens weist nicht auf räumliche Variationen in der Zusammensetzung über einen subduktionsbezogenen magmatischen Gürtel hin, sondern läßt eher, zusammen mit den Variationen der Isotopendaten, heterogene Quellen für diese Gesteine vermuten.

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With 10 Figures     

浙江土壤矿物组成特征

对浙江省29种母质和16种土类或亚类构成的69个母质一土类单元共194个土壤样品中的矿物成分进行测定，分析得出矿物种类及矿物百分含量。在此基础上分析了浙江省土壤矿物组成特征。不同土类或亚类土壤中矿物组成存在明显差异，矿物种数和含量变化较大。突出的特征是，相同母质类型土壤含有相似的矿物种类，而且相同母质不同样品中同一矿物含量变化也较小，表现出同母质土壤矿物组成与含量具有相似性。在69个土壤剖面中，由A层到C层矿物种类和含量变化较小，土壤矿物组成明显受基岩影响和控制。宜把地质背景相同、矿物组成相近、土壤环境相似的成土母质作为划分土壤重金属污染评价单元，土壤类型只能作为评价单元的辅助划分依据。     

Comparison of thermoluminescence and radiocarbon age-determinations from late-pleistocene alluvial deposits near Sydney, Australia

Radiocarbon and thermoluminescence (TL) age-determinations have been obtained for a large Pleistocene alluvial terrace on the Nepean River near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The deposit was laid down by a braided river system prior to the last glacial maximum. Six thoroughly pretreated samples of charcoal and degraded wood buried within gravels at the base of the terrace yielded apparent ¹⁴C ages of 37,000–42,000 yr B.P. These compare favorably with four TL determinations that gave apparent ages of 41,000–47,000 yr B.P. for the same deposit. Adjustment of the ¹⁴C ages to take geomagnetic effects into account further improves the correlation between these two independent dating techniques. In addition, ¹⁴C and TL correctly identified a reworked portion of the fine-grained alluvial overburden as being substantially younger than the main body of the terrace. These results augur well for the usefulness of TL age determinations of certain alluvial deposits.     

Sedimentation in the Narrabeen Group,southern Sydney basin,New South Wales

A study of the Narrabeen Group in the southern part of the Sydney Basin has provided a more complete understanding of the conditions of deposition in the area during the Lower Triassic. The sedimentology of the sequence indicates that several different types of fluvial deposits are represented, with an upward succession from piedmont conditions with braided streams to a swampy deltaic plain. This sequence is interpreted as the onshore portion of a slow marine transgression, probably brought about by declining erosive activity in the hinterland.

The palaeocurrent pattern shows that drainage was principally to the south‐southwest, parallel to the basin axis, and the lateral transition from quartzose to lithic sediments across the basin can be interpreted as a blending of sediment from western and northern source areas. In addition several influxes of material from a source east of the present coastline are indicated, with reworked volcanic debris being introduced into the south coast district. This southeasterly source area did not greatly impede the drainage of the basin during lower Narrabeen deposition, but was responsible for a major diversion of stream patterns as the topmost beds were laid down. This diversion was completed by a northeasterly drainage pattern during deposition of the overlying Hawkesbury Sandstone.     

凌家滩出土鸡骨白古玉器玉质研究

对肉眼难以鉴定玉质的凌家滩出土鸡骨白古玉器,通过偏光显微镜鉴定、矿物折射率测定、红外吸收光谱测试、X射线粉晶衍射测试表明,这些鸡骨白古玉器的玉质成分为透闪石,或称软玉.与一般软玉相比,其矿物成分没有变化,但物理性质却有明显不同,表现为颜色白、光泽暗淡,硬度低,密度也低.     

A study of long-term slope stability in the Sydney Basin,Australia

Dunkerley, D.L., 1976. A study of long-term slope stability in the Sydney Basin, Australia. Eng. Geol.; 10: 1–12.A study of slope characteristics in part of the Sydney Basin indicates that landslide occurrence and long-term slope stability are both governed by the residual shear strength of the clay soils which weather from the Triassic shales of this area. Both the present distribution of landslides and the form of the slopes themselves lend support to this conclusion.It is found that on the Wianamatta shales forming the Razorback Range southwest of Sydney, landslides may only occur on slopes whose inclination exceeds 11°. The average value ofφ′_r measured in direct shear was found to be 22°. Values ofC′_r were found to be very small but positive.     

Contrasting mineral parageneses in high-temperature calc-silicate granulites: examples from the Eastern Ghats, India

Abstract Three types of mineral associations are described from calc-silicate granulites from the Eastern Ghats, India, where geothermobarometry in associated rocks suggests extremely high P–T conditions of metamorphism ( c . 9 ± 1 kbar, 950° C). These mineral associations are: (i) calcite + quartz + scapolite + plagioclase, (ii) calcite + scapolite + wollastonite + porphyroblastic garnet + coronal garnet and (iii) calcite + quartz + wollastonite + scapolite + porphyroblastic garnet + coronal garnet, all coexisting with K-feldspar, titanite and clinopyroxene. The first two associations evolved through nearly isobaric cooling retrograde paths, whereas the third evolved through a nearly isothermal decompression path followed by an isobaric cooling retrograde path. Textural and compositional characteristics suggest the following mineral reactions in the calc-silicate granulites: calcite + quartz = wollastonite + CO₂, calcite + plagioclase = scapolite, calcite + scapolite + wollastonite = porphyroblastic garnet ± quartz + CO₂, CaTs + wollastonite = coronal garnet (association ii) and wollastonite + scapolite = coronal garnet (association iii) + quartz + CO₂. Andradite content in garnet was buffered by the redox equilibria wollastonite + hedenbergite + O₂= andradite + quartz (association iii) and wollastonite + andradite + CaTs + scapolite = hedenbergite + calcite + grossular + O₂ (association ii). The contrasting mineral parageneses have been ascribed to interplay of variables such as X _CO2, f _O2, f _HCl in the fluid, bulk Na content and the nature of the retrograde P–T–X _CO2 paths through which the rocks evolved.     

松辽盆地白兴吐铀矿床热液蚀变及物质组成研究

显微镜下矿石薄片鉴定和铀矿物电子探针分析显示,白兴吐铀矿床发育高岭石化、碳酸盐化、黄铁矿化、水云母-绢云母化和赤铁矿化等中低温热液蚀变;矿石的铀矿物主要为铀石,少量沥青铀矿,以及部分含钛铀矿物,矿石普遍富含磷和钛。铀矿物与热液成因的胶状、团块状和莓状黄铁矿、铁白云石、赤铁矿等共生。这些特征表明,该矿床的工业铀矿化与热液作用关系密切。     

Phase-mineral and chemical composition of fractions separated from composite fly ashes at the Soma power station,Turkey

The phase-mineral and chemical composition of six fractions recovered from two fly ashes (FAs) produced in the Soma power station (Turkey) was characterized to predict their possible environmental concerns and potential utilization directions. A combination of conventional separation procedures including sieving, hand picking, sink–float and magnetic separations, as well as leaching and evaporation, was used to isolate the following fractions: (1) char concentrates (CCs); (2) light fractions (<1 g cm⁻³) (LFs); (3) water-soluble residues (WRs); (4) magnetic fractions (MFs); (5) nonmagnetic coarse-grained fractions (>63 μm) (NCFs); and (6) nonmagnetic fine-grained fractions (<63 μm) (NFFs). CCs (3.3–3.4%) are composed of char (61–68%) and some inorganic phases, and are highly enriched in U>S>Mn>Mo>Fe>Sb. LFs (0.4–0.8%) contain porous cenosphere, spongy, and vesicular char types (21–54%) impregnated by calcite, anhydrite, portlandite, and clay minerals. These fractions show high concentrations of Sb>Se>As. WRs (1.7–2.6%) consist of gypsum, portlandite, Ca oxalate, and calcite (92–98%), and are highly enriched in water-soluble Sb>Mo>S>Ca. The greatest amounts (1–37%) leached from FAs reveal Sb>Mo>S>Ca>Sr>Se>(B, Na)>Li. MFs (1.4–2.3%) are concentrated in magnetite, hematite, and Fe-spinel (31–39%), and are highly enriched in Mn>Fe>Co>Cu>Ni>Zn>(Mo, Yb)>(Lu, Tm, Y)>(Er, Ho, Mg)>Sb. NCFs (49–56%) include mostly coarse-grained glass, quartz, calcite, and mullite, and these are the poorest in trace elements fractions. NFFs (39–47%) contain dominantly fine-grained glass, calcite, quartz, char, and mullite, and are slightly enriched in some chalcophile elements. Possible environmental concerns are related mainly to the trace element mobility in WRs, LFs, and CCs, while the potential utilization directions are connected mostly with the composition of MFs, WRs, CCs, LFs, and NFFs.     

Coal seam gas distribution and hydrodynamics of the Sydney Basin,NSW, Australia

This paper reviews various coal seam gas (CSG) models that have been developed for the Sydney Basin, and provides an alternative interpretation for gas composition layering and deep-seated CO₂ origins. Open file CSG wells, supplemented by mine-scale information, were used to examine trends in gas content and composition at locations from the margin to the centre of the basin. Regionally available hydrochemistry data and interpretations of hydrodynamics were incorporated with conventional petroleum well data on porosity and permeability. The synthesised gas and groundwater model presented in this paper suggests that meteoric water flow under hydrostatic pressure transports methanogenic consortia into the subsurface and that water chemistry evolves during migration from calcium-rich freshwaters in inland recharge areas towards sodium-rich brackish water down-gradient and with depth. Groundwater chemistry changes result in the dissolution and precipitation of minerals as well as affecting the behaviour of dissolved gases such as CO₂. Mixing of carbonate-rich waters with waters of significantly different chemistries at depth causes the liberation of CO₂ gas from the solution that is adsorbed into the coal matrix in hydrodynamically closed terrains. In more open systems, excess CO₂ in the groundwater (carried as bicarbonate) may lead to precipitation of calcite in the host strata. As a result, areas in the central and eastern parts of the basin do not host spatially extensive CO₂ gas accumulations but experience more widespread calcite mineralisation, with gas compositions dominated by hydrocarbons, including wet gases. Basin boundary areas (commonly topographic and/or structural highs) in the northern, western and southern parts of the basin commonly contain CO₂-rich gases at depth. This deep-seated CO₂-rich gas is generally thought to derive from local to continental scale magmatic intrusions, but could also be the product of carbonate dissolution or acetate fermentation.     

The geology, petrology and geochemistry of coal seams from the St. Rose and Chimney Corner coalfields, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Seams from the St. Rose and Chimmey Corner coalfields, Nova Scotia, Canada, were sampled and examined for petrographic and geochemical composition. Rank determinations indicate a rank of high volatile C-B bituminous. Seams show regular alternations of dull and bright microbanded lithotypes, with dull lithotypes predominant in the central portion of the main seam (No. 5 seam). Brighter lithotypes are dominated by vitrinite (>80%), with minor inertinite (avg. 12%) and minor liptinite. Duller lithotypes contain greater amounts of inertinite (up to 40%) and liptinite (primarily sporinite). Mineral matter consists of epigenetic pyrite, with lesser amounts of clay and quartz. Cabonates are common in the Chimney Corner seams. Elemental composition of the seams is similar to other Canadian coals and fall within world coal ranges, with the exception of high concentrations of Cl, Zn, Ni, Mo, Pb, Cu and As.Depositional environment of the seams as indicated by maceral composition, lithotypes and geology suggest a predominance of wet forest to reed moor conditions, in a fluvial-lacustrine setting. Periodic episodes of flooding and drying are indicated by lithotype, maceral and mineral variations.     

Hailstorm Loss Modelling and Risk Assessment in the Sydney Region,Australia

This paper summarises work undertaken at the Natural Hazards ResearchCentre with regard to the compilation, climatological analysis and lossmodelling application of hailstorm data for the greater Sydney region. Itdiscusses the results from two associated research areas: ENSO-relatedclimatological analysis of hailstorm data, and insurance sector orientedrisk assessment of hail losses in the Sydney basin. The two complementaryprojects led to the development of HailAUS, the first hail loss model for amajor urban area in Australia. The hazard occurrence module of the hailloss model is based on a comprehensive, good quality hail data set, whoseinterannual variability has previously been analysed with regard to the ENSOsignal. The paper presents the major results of the local hail data climatology,and outlines the structure of the hail loss model. The important practicalapplications that result from the collection and analysis of good qualityclimatological data are noted.