Characterization of trace elements in Rundle and Condor oil shales

Abstract

Chemical analyses were made for a comprehensive range of elements on core samples of Rundle and Condor oil shales. Techniques of neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry were used for trace element analyses. Trace element abundances are generally similar to or less than those for an average shale, except for pyritic sulphur, arsenic and manganese which, for some samples, are above average abundances and could be of environmental concern. A number of techniques, including X-ray diffraction, selective leaching procedures, inter-element correlation techniques and electron microprobe analysis were used to establish the mineralogical residences of the trace elements which are relevant to processing. For both shales, pyritic sulphur, arsenic, nickel and cobalt occur mainly in the mineral pyrite, while manganese is resident in the carbonate minerals, siderite, magnesian-siderite and calcite.