黔北下寒武统牛蹄塘组烃源岩的生物标志物 特征和沉积环境

为研究黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组烃源岩母质来源和沉积环境,开展了生物标志化合物分析,结果表明：①正构烷烃OEP接近1.0,无明显奇偶优势,受轻微生物降解影响,正构烷烃多表现为双峰型(C18/C25),(nC21+nC22)/(nC28+nC29)值为0.54~1.01,显示重烃组分占绝对优势;Pr/Ph值范围在0.51~0.82之间,具有植烷优势。②烃源岩样品组成相对丰度五环三萜烷>三环萜烷>四环萜烷,三环萜烷中C21、C23、C24呈倒V字形分布,Ts/(Tm+Ts)为0.45~0.50。③C27规则甾烷/C29规则甾烷略小于1或者接近1,芳烃化合物DBT/P为0.05~0.09。根据这些特征并结合干酪根同位素及正构烷烃同位素组成和变化规律,认为该区域下寒武统牛蹄塘组烃源岩形成于浅海还原环境,且有机质主要来源于细菌、藻类等低等水生生物,有机质热演化程度较高。根据常量、微量元素指标并结合有机地化指标刻划出从灯影组到牛蹄塘组和明心寺组沉积时期的水体环境,将牛蹄塘组烃源岩的形成分为3个阶段,第一阶段为早寒武世初始快速海侵阶段,第二阶段为深水还原高有机质产力阶段,第三阶段为海水缓慢变浅高有机质产力阶段,而到了明心寺组沉积时期为浅水氧化非烃源岩阶段。     

贵州瓮安地区早寒武世含磷岩系有机地球化学特征

贵州瓮安水银山的下寒武统底部的磷块岩的生物标志物以及单体烃碳同位素分析表明,正构烷烃以nC17和nC27为优势,无奇偶优势;Pr/Ph为0.95,显示弱的植烷优势;萜烷丰度顺序为五环三萜烷三环萜烷四环萜烷;规则甾烷呈不对称的"V"字形分布,表现为C29C27C28的分布特征。正构烷烃的单体碳同位素值随碳数增加的曲线变化略显平缓,变化范围较窄(-31.13‰～-33.14‰)。这些生物标志物和单体烃碳同位素的特征表明,贵州瓮安水银山磷块岩中生物母源主要是低等的水生藻类的输入,高含量伽玛蜡烷和三环萜烷以及Ts/(Ts+Tm)比值为0.37(0.5)的特征表明深部温盐流上涌是形成这套磷块岩的主要原因。     

黔西纳雍地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色岩系生物标志物的特征

以贵州纳雍地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色页岩为研究对象,分析其中的生物标志化合物。结果表明：奇偶优势(OEP)均值为1.08,接近平衡值1.00,无明显奇偶优势,姥鲛烷与植烷比(Pr/Ph)均值小于1,具明显的植烷优势;萜烷丰度顺序为五环三萜烷>三环萜烷>四环萜烷,规则甾烷以C27略占优势,ΣC27/ΣC29的均值为1.41,大于1,显示有机质来源以浅海相菌藻类等低等水生生物为主;C32αβ22S/(22S+22R)平均值为0.59, Ts/(Ts+Tm)值为0.43,βα-莫烷/αβ-藿烷平均值为0.124,C29甾烷的20S/(20S+20R)平均值为0.39,C29甾烷αββ/(αββ+ααα)平均值为0.41,均表明纳雍地区黑色岩系中的有机质均接近或达到成熟阶段。根据这些特征可以推断,该区域早寒武世牛蹄塘组黑色岩系形成于浅海还原环境,有机质热演化程度较高,其母质主要来源于细菌、藻类等低等水生物。     

重庆城口地区下寒武统黑色岩系有机地球化学特征及成因意义

研究采用索氏抽提、饱和烃色谱-质谱分析及干酪根碳同位素等分析方法,针对重庆城口地区下寒武统黑色岩系有机地球化学特征,页岩气的有机质生源构成、成熟度、沉积环境等进行分析。结果表明所有样品中氯仿沥青"A"含量均较低,正构烷烃、类异戊二烯烃、甾萜类化合物含量丰富。GC-MS图中,正构烷烃显示明显的双峰型优势,碳数分布范围为C14~C31,双峰型前后主峰分别为nC18和nC23,单峰型主峰为nC16或nC18,OEP值为1.05~1.19,接近平衡值1.0,无明显奇偶优势,(nC21+nC22)/(nC28+nC29)比值大于1.5,nC17/nC31值为0.24~2.96,均值1.35,显示轻烃组分占绝对优势。干酪根δ13 CPDB值为-31.4‰~-34.7‰,变化较小,为腐泥型干酪根。萜类化合物中,五环三萜类化合物三环萜烷四环萜烷,可见少量伽马蜡烷和奥利烷。三环萜烷中C21,C23,C24和规则甾烷C27,C28,C29分别呈倒"V"字形和"V"字型分布,含量相差不大,推断有机质母质主要为菌藻类等低等水生物和海洋浮游生物。藿烷中C31αβ22S/(22S+22R)值为0.57~0.61,Ts/(Tm+Ts)值为0.43~0.50,βα-莫烷/αβ-藿烷比值0.12或0.11,Tm/Ts比值为1.0~1.35大于生油门限下限,甾烷中C29ααα20S/(20S+20R)值为0.41~0.46,C2920Rαββ/(ααα+αββ)值为0.40~0.46,反映有机质已达成熟~过成熟阶段。Pr/Ph值除个别大于1外皆为0.45~0.91,C27重排甾烷/C27规则甾烷值0.08~0.43,γ-蜡烷指数绝大部分都小于0.2,处于0.12~0.19之间,孕甾烷/C29-20R规则甾烷值为0.18~0.61,皆反映缺氧还原环境且沉积水体盐度不高,与前期元素地球化学研究结果所反映的缺氧环境一致。     

羌塘盆地二叠系展金组烃源岩生物标记化合物特征及意义

本文对羌塘盆地二叠系展金组烃源岩的岩心样品进行了烃源岩基本特征及生物标志化合物特征研究,重点探讨了烃源岩生烃母质来源、沉积环境特征及成熟度特征。研究显示,展金组烃源岩富含正构烷烃、类异戊二烯烷烃、萜类化合物和甾类化合物。其中,正构烷烃多为前高后低的单峰型,具有低碳数优势,n C_(15)、n C_(16)或n C_(17)为主峰碳;规则甾烷中C_(27)-C_(28)-C_(29)呈"V"字型分布,C_(27)占优势;萜烷具有三环萜烷五环三萜烷四环萜烷的相对丰度,三环萜烷/五环三萜烷值在1.1~1.96之间;生烃母质主要来源于海相低等水生生物。Pr/Ph分布范围在0.53~1.16,平均值为0.85,植烷优势较明显;五环三萜烷的Ts/(Tm+Ts)值表明烃源岩形成于还原环境。而伽马蜡烷的含量以及伽马蜡烷/αβ-C30藿烷比值,证明烃源岩沉积时水体盐度为正常盐度。甾烷的C29ααα20S/(20S+20R)和C29αββ/(αββ+ααα)、萜烷的C31αβ~(22)S/(22S+22R)、Ts/(Tm+Ts)值等反映烃源岩成熟度的参数显示,烃源岩处于成熟阶段。     

羌塘盆地马牙山沥青脉地球化学特征及其指示意义

本文以沥青抽提物的饱和烃色谱—质谱分析为基础,结合野外露头剖面沉积相分析,剖析了羌塘盆地马牙山沥青的地球化学特征,探讨了其沉积环境、成熟度和油源。测试结果表明：马牙山沥青的正构烷烃不具备明显的奇偶优势,(nC21+nC22)/(nC28+nC29)值较高,Pr/Ph、Pr/nC17值明显较低,C27、C28、C29规则甾烷呈不对称“V”字形分布,4—甲基甾烷普遍存在,Ts/Tm、C29ββ/(αα+ββ)、C2920S/(S+R)等热成熟度构型转化参数比值较低。饱和烃色谱质谱特征表明,沥青母源岩以海相水生生物输入为主,有机质处于低成熟演化阶段,有机母质形成于一定盐度的还原环境。油源对比显示,中侏罗统夏里组烃源岩与马牙山沥青的正构烷烃、甾烷、萜烷等生物标志化合物分布特征具有很好的对比性,反应了二者具有较强的亲缘关系。     

藏北羌塘盆地羌资1井中侏罗统沥青脉生物标志化合物分布特征及其意义

藏北羌塘盆地羌资1井中侏罗统沥青脉生物标志化合物含有丰富的正烷烃、类异戊二烯烷烃、萜类化合物和甾类化合物。正烷烃图谱形态以单峰形态占优势,主碳峰以nC16、nC17为主,次为nC18、nC20、nC15轻烃组分占有绝对优势,OEP值介于0,69-1．22之间,平均值为0．96,偶碳数优势不明显;Pr／Ph值介于0．35～0．78之间,平均值为0．59,具有明显的植烷优势。萜烷相对丰度表现为五环三萜烷〉三环萜烷〉四环萜烷,γ-蜡烷普遍存在,但相对含量棱低;甾烷主要为规则甾烷,少量孕甾烷,规则甾烷∑（C27＋C28）〉∑C29,∑C27／∑C29介于0．61～2．18之间,平均值为1．06,显示弱的C27甾烷优势或弱的C29甾烷优势。有机质母质构成中,除有丰富的藻类等低等水生生物外,可能还有陆生高等植物输入混合。成熟度参数和镜质体反射率均显示沥青脉中的有机质处于成熟一过成熟阶段。沥青脉形成环境为还原环境。另外,除饱和烃和芳烃含量上有明显差别外,中侏罗统夏里组砂泥岩中的沥青脉与布曲组碳酸盐岩中的沥青脉的生物标志化合物无明显区别。     

准噶尔盆地车排子地区原油油源分析

车排子地区紧邻沙湾凹陷和四棵树凹陷,油源条件优越,具有多层系含油特点,前人对该区原油油源认识存在较大分歧.本次研究在研究区原油生物标志物分析基础上,结合金刚烷异构化指标和正构烷烃单体碳同位素分布,对车排子地区原油油源进行了分析.结果表明,车排子地区存在3类原油:(1)Ⅰ类原油为新近系沙湾组轻质油,表现为侏罗系来源特征,Pr/Ph比值大于2.0,原油碳同位素值偏重,δ13C值大于?28.0‰,姥鲛烷(Pr)、植烷(Ph)和三环萜烷含量较低,Pr/nC17和Ph/nC18比值小于0.3,不含β-胡萝卜烷,三环萜烷/藿烷比值分布在0.08～0.18之间,C24四环萜烷/C26三环萜烷比值分布在1.61～3.81之间,ααα20R规则甾烷具有C27和C29规则甾烷优势,呈C27>C28C28相似文献   

黔北早寒武世缺氧事件：生物标志化合物及有机碳同位素特征

本文首次报道了黔北早寒武世黑色岩系的生物标志化合物，并结合有机碳同位素组成特征，探讨该时期所发生的重大地质事件。所有样品均检出了丰富的正构烷烃、类异戊二烯烃、萜类化合物以及甾类化舍物。在GC谱图上，正构烷烃显示明显的单峰型分布特征，碳数分布范围为nC14-nC31主峰碳为nC18、nC19或nC20，nC17／nC31为1．15～50．17，显示轻烃组分占绝对优势，OEP值为0．84～1．11，CPI值为0．92～1．16，接近平衡值1．0，无明显的奇偶碳数优势分布。Pr／Ph值为0．24～0．79，具有明显的植烷优势。萜烷化合物以C30藿烷占优势，其相对丰度三环萜烷〉五环三萜烷〉四环萜烷，并且检出少量的γ-蜡烷。规则甾烷C27-C28-C29呈“V”字型分布，∑（C27＋C28）〉∑C29，其比值为1．25～1．99，∑C27／∑C29为0．78～1．22，重排甾烷C27／规则甾烷C27值为0．21～0．47。4-甲基甾烷普遍存在，但丰度相对较低。在地层剖面上，有机碳含量（TOC（％））从0．05～7．91％，平均为2．52％；有机碳同位素组成（δ^13Corg）从-29．49‰～-34．41‰（PDB），发生负偏移，偏移量达到4．3‰，代表该期海平面处于上升阶段，底层水处于严重缺氧状态，底栖生物缺乏。本文根据生物标志化合物特征参数，结合有机碳同位素组成变化，详细分析了黔北早寒武世这套黑色岩系的有机质来源、成熟度、沉积环境以及古海洋意义，将为我国南方早寒武纪古地理重建、地质事件记录提供可靠依据。     

黔北下寒武统牛蹄塘组烃源岩的生物标志物特征和沉积环境

为研究黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组烃源岩母质来源和沉积环境,开展了生物标志化合物分析,结果表明：④正构烷烃OEP接近1．0,无明显奇偶优势,受轻微生物降解影响,正构烷烃多表现为双峰型（c18／c25）,（nC2＋nC22）／（nC28＋nC29）值为0．54～1．01,显示重烃组分占绝对优势;Pr／Ph值范围在0．51-0．82之间,具有植烷优势。②烃源岩样品组成相对丰度五环三萜烷〉5-g,萜烷〉四环萜烷,三环萜烷中C21、C23、C24呈倒V字形分布,Ts／（Tm＋Ts）为0．45-0．50。⑧C27规则甾烷／c∞规则甾烷略小于1或者接近1．芳烃化合物DBT／P为0．05-0．09。根据这些特征并结合干酪根同位素及正构烷烃同位素组成和变化规律,认为该区域下寒武统牛蹄塘组烃源岩形成于浅海还原环境,且有机质主要来源于细菌、藻类等低等水生生物,有机质热演化程度较高。根据常量、微量元素指标并结合有机地化指标刻划出从灯影组到牛蹄塘组和明心寺组沉积时期的水体环境,将牛蹄塘组烃源岩的形成分为3个阶段。第一阶段为早寒武世初始快速海侵阶段,第二阶段为深水还原高有机质产力阶段,第三阶段为海水缓慢变浅高有机质产力阶段,而到了明心寺组沉积时期为浅水氧化非烃源岩阶段。     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.