Spatial Macroscale Variability of the Role of Mineral Matter in Concentrating Some Trace Elements in Bituminous Coal in a Coal Basin—A Case Study from the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in Poland

Abstract

As there are numerous claims that the mode of occurrence of trace elements in coal influences the quality of the substrates as well as the course and results of the coal preparation processes, it is necessary to analyse the differences in the mode of occurrence of the elements in coal within a coal basin or a coal deposit. With the use of concentration distribution functions and the Pearson correlation coefficient, it was concluded that (1) mineral matter plays a significant and nearly constant or constant role in concentrating V, Cr, Co, As, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb in coal; (2) organic matter plays a stable role in concentrating Sn; and (3) there are significant differences in the role of organic and mineral matter in concentrating Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, and Sb in coal throughout the USCB (Upper Silesian Coal Basin). Moreover, there was observed a difference in the mode of occurrence of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, and Sb in coal in the vertical profile of the USCB. At the same time, there were observed no differences and a stable significant role of mineral matter in concentrating V, As, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb in coal, while the role of the petrographic groups of the coal components in concentrating the elements in raw coal was differentiated. It is believed that the difference in the mode of occurrence of the trace elements in coal within coal seams and coal deposits is a geochemical regularity.