Anomalous Trace Elements Contents in the Spetsugli Germanium Deposit (Pavlovka Brown Coal Deposit) Southern Primorye: Communication 1. Antimony

The first data are presented on large-scale Sb accumulation (up to 1175 ppm on a whole coal basis) in the Spetsugli (Special Coals) germanium deposit (Pavlovka brown coal deposit). The distribution of anomalous Sb contents is considered in the coal-bearing molasse section. The close correlation between Ge and Sb abundances in coals together with SEM data indicate an organic mode of Sb occurrence. Such a significant Sb accumulation was caused by the filtration of volcanogenic metalliferous solutions in molasse rocks during early diagenesis of organic matter in the Late Miocene. Extremely high contents and organic mode of Sb occurrence make it possible to consider Ge-bearing coals of the Pavlovka deposit not only as a complex raw material suitable for the extraction of Sb, but also as a potential source of ecological hazard.