Rare Earth Elements in Coal-Bearing Deposits: Distribution Features and Geochemical Significance

The examination of Lower Cretaceous coals and clayey fractions of terrigenous host rocks of the Zyryanka Basin has revealed a generally negative type of the relative REE distribution (with a predominance of LREE over HREE) and a similar behavior of Th and U. Analogous characteristics are typical for metamorphic and igneous rocks of intermediate composition dominating in the provenance. In terms of the concentration and distribution of REE, Th, and U coal-bearing terrigenous rocks of the Zyryanka Basin are close to Phanerozoic clays and silty sandstones of the Russian Platform, while coals of the Zyryanka Basin are similar to metal-free coals of various basins (Kizel, Pennsylvanian, and others). Average REE and Th contents in the studied coals are five times lower than those in host terrigenous rocks. The coals differ from these rocks by relatively elevated HREE concentrations largely due to adsorption mechanism of the HREE accumulation. Data obtained on the REE, Th, and U distribution in coals and clayey fractions of host rocks are of fundamental significance for the comparitive analysis of the behavior of these elements in metal-bearing coals of various basins.