Occurrence, distribution and probable source of the trace elements in ghugus coals, wardha valley, districts chandrapur and yeotmal, maharashtra, India

Abstract

Trace-element determinations of 15 coal samples have been made in order to know their distribution, behaviour and associations with the organic and inorganic fractions in the coal. The coal samples have been systematically collected in stratigraphic sequences so that the vertical variation of the trace-elements can be studied. The elements determined by spectographic analysis are W, V, Cr, Sc, Y, Cu, Co, Pb, Be, Ni and Ba. The results indicate that the concentration of trace elements in these coals varies greatly from bottom to top sections. The elements V and Co are extremely poor in the top and middle sections, whereas in the bottom section they are fairly distributed. Be is extremely poor in the bottom section, and fairly distributed in the middle and top sections. W, Sc, Y have poor concentration in the bottom section as compared to the middle and top sections. Ni is fairly distributed in the bottom section whereas its concentration is poor in the middle and top sections. Cr and Cu are fairly distributed in the bottom, middle and top sections. Ba has unusually high concentration in all the sections. It appears from the present study that W, Cr, Sc, Y and Be are concentrated more in silicate minerals (clay, quartz, etc.) associated with coal, and the elements like , Co, and Ni have intimate relation with organic matters in coal and are present as organometallic compounds as well as absorbed cations. Cu and Pb which are present in the coals are derived from the inorganic matter, mainly from the pyrites, whereas W has affinity with carbonate minerals in the coals. The Ba is mainly associated with the inoraanic matter of coal; its unusually high concentration indicates association with carbonates, clays and other silicate minerals.