Search

The anomalous enrichment of the rare earth elements and yttrium (REY), U, Mo, As, Se, and V in the coal-bearing intervals intercalated within the carbonate successions in South China has attracted much attention due to the highly promising recovery potential for these elements. This study investigates the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the late Permian coal-bearing intervals (layers A–F) intercalated in marine carbonate strata in the Xian'an Coalfield in Guangxi Province to elucidate the mode of occurrence and enrichment process of highly elevated elements. There are two mineralogical assemblages, including quartz-albite-kaolinite-carbonates assemblage in layers D–F and quartz-illite-kaolinite-carbonates assemblage in layers A–C. Compared to the upper continental crust composition (UCC), the REY, U, Mo, As, Se, and V are predominantly enriched in layers A and B, of which layer A displays the REY–V–Se–As assemblage while layer B shows the Mo–U–V assemblage. The elevated REY contents in layer B are primarily hosted by clay minerals, zircon, and monazite; Mo, U, and V show organic association; and As and Se primarily display Fe-sulfide association. Three geological factors are most likely responsible for geochemical anomaly: (1) the more intensive seawater invasion gives rise to higher sulfur, Co, Ni, As, and Se contents, as well as higher Sr/Ba ratio in layers A–C than in layers D–F; (2) both the input of alkaline pyroclastic materials and the solution/rock interaction jointly govern the anomalous enrichment of REY; and (3) the influx of syngenetic or early diagenetic hydrothermal fluids is the predominant source of U, Mo, V, Se, and As. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lowermost Late Permian coal seam (C4 Coal) in the Tongzi Coalfield offers an opportunity to investigate the influence of terrigenous detrital materials from the Qianbei Upland on the mineralogical and geochemical patterns of the C4 Coal. The minerals are mainly dominated by pyrite and, to a lesser extent, tobelite, kaolinite, and calcite, along with traces of Al-oxyhydroxide minerals. The various degrees of marine influence may have resulted in the variation in the amount of Fe-sulfides (e.g., pyrite) and elements having Fe-sulfides affinity. Furthermore, the abundant Fe ions involved in the formation of Fe-sulfides were most likely derived from the claystone on the Qianbei Upland. The tobelite identified in the C4 Coal probably originated from the interaction between pre-existing kaolinite and NH4+ from NH3 released from the thermally affected organic matter at least shortly after the highly volatile bituminous stage under NH4+-rich and K+-poor conditions. The terrigenous detrital materials were derived from two possible sediment-region sources-the Qianbei Upland and Kangdian Upland-which is different from Late Permian coals in Western Guizhou Province. The claystone on the Qianbei Upland may have served as parent rock, as indicated by the presence of the Al-oxyhydroxide minerals as well as low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (0.66 on average) and low quartz content. Meanwhile, the detrital materials from the Kangdian Upland most likely originated from the erosion of the felsic rocks at the uppermost part of the Kangdian Upland, as evidenced by the high Al2O3/TiO2 ratio (36.0 on average) and the strongly negative Eu anomaly (0.61 on average). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mode of occurrence and origin of highly-enriched trace elements, especially Ge, in Wulantuga high-Ge coal deposit have been widely reported. In this study, coal samples and several coalified trunks embedded within the roof strata are collected, which provides a good opportunity to further confirm if Ge is mainly associated with organic matter. Minerals in coal samples are mainly quartz, kaolinite, montmorillonite, pyrite, and gypsum, along with trace albite, barite, chlorite, and Fe-oxide, while those in coalified trunk samples include melanterite, pyrite, and gypsum, with traces of chlorite and magnesiocopiapite. Germanium, As, W, Sb, Hg, Be, and Cs are enriched in coal samples, and these elements are also enriched in the coalified trunks and roof glutenite. The elevated contents of Ge, As, W, Sb, and Hg were almost exclusively derived from the influx of hydrothermal fluids as evidenced by the presence of pyrite veins and chamosite as well as enhanced elemental associations of Ge-W and As-Sb-Hg in the studied lignite samples. The coalified trunks in the study area should be taken into consideration due to the high contents of hazardous elements that cause potential environmental impacts during mining waste disposal and land reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly elevated concentrations of the rare earth elements and yttrium (REY), U, Mo, Se, and Pb in late Permian coals in some coalfields in Guangxi Province, South China, have been widely investigated; however, the mode of occurrence and enrichment mechanism of these critical elements are still under debate. This study investigates the mineralogical and geochemical compositions of coals and non-coal rocks from the Xian'an Coalfield in Guangxi Province to discuss the geological factors influencing the distribution of critical elements. The mineral in the studied coals consists mainly of quartz, and to a lesser extent, muscovite and kaolinite, with a trace amount of anatase. The coals are significantly enriched in REY, Pb, Se, Mo, and U and display the REY–U–Se–Mo–Pb-enrichment horizon (Horizon I) and U–Mo-enrichment horizon (Horizon II) adjacent to the host rocks or partings. The REY, U, Se, and Pb show organic association while Mo is primarily hosted by Fe-sulfides within Horizon I. The U and Mo have a phosphate affinity within Horizon II. Both the input of pyroclastic and epiclastic materials and the leaching of acidic solutions jointly govern the distribution of the REY–U–Se–Mo–Pb-enrichment horizon (Horizon I) and the U–Mo-enrichment horizon (Horizon II). The concentrations of REY in Horizon I exceed the cutoff grade of REY, and, therefore, the coals in the Horizon I can be regarded as promising raw materials of REY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhigh organic sulfur(SHOS) coals have currently attracted great attention due to their typical depositional environments and formation history as well as their great negative impact on the ecosystem. This study investigated the geochemistry of the No. 11coalof the Late Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation from the Sangshuping coalmine, Hancheng miningarea, Weibei coalfield, Shaanxi, North China. The No. 11 coal is a high-sulfur coal with a large proportion of organic sulfur content (3.7 to 5.5%, avg. 4.4%) and belongs to typical SHOS coal. The high sulfur content in the Sangshuping coal mine has been mainly caused by the combined influences of seawater and hydrothermal fluids. The SHOS in No. 11 coal was formed in the Fe-poor and S-rich high-marine influenced occlusive environment. During the late coalification stage, a high proportion of pyritic sulfur was formed due to sufficient Fe supply from the Fe–S-rich epigenetic hydrothermal fluids. The No. 11 SHOS coal is enriched in Li–Ga–Zr–Hf and Se–Mo–Cr–V–As–Pb element assemblages. The sediment provenance of the Sangshuping coal mine is predominantly felsic–intermediate rocks from both the Yinshan and Qinling Oldland. However, the elevated concentrations of critical elements (Li, Ga, Zr, and Hf) in the No. 11 coal are primarily inherited from the Yinshan Oldland. The enrichment of the Se–Mo–Cr–V–As–Pb assemblage in No. 11 coal can be ascribed to the influence of both seawater and epigenetic hydrothermal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of coals provide crucial information on their potential clean, efficient, and integrated utilization. In this paper, the mineralogical and geochemical behaviors of the No. 5 coals of the Taiyuan Formation in the Weibei Coalfield, North China, were investigated, and their geological controlling factors were subsequently discussed. The minerals in the Weibei coals mainly consist of kaolinite (8.3%), calcite (5.0%), and pyrite (3.1%), with minor proportions of tobelite (2.9%), dolomite (1.7%), quartz (1.8%), and traces of siderite (0.4%) and gypsum (0.6%). Several critical elements, including Nb (19.8 mg/kg), Ta (3.6 mg/kg), Zr (71.0 mg/kg) and Li (32.3 mg/kg), occur at concentrations higher than those averages for world hard coals, making the Weibei coals potential sources of these critical elements. Several factors, terrigenous material, seawater invasion, and hydrothermal fluids are responsible for these mineralogical and geochemical characteristics. The L-type rare earth elements and yttrium (REE-Y) enrichment in the roofs and partings, Al2O3-TiO2 and Zr/TiO2-Nb/Y plots, and negative Eu and weak negative Ce anomalies in the Weibei coals indicate a felsic-intermediate dominated sediment provenance primarily derived from the Qilian-Qinling Oldland on the South. Marine bioclastic limestone, negative Ce and positive Y anomalies in coals imply the influence of seawater on the Weibei coals. Last but not least, the cleat-infilling and/or fracture-infilling calcite, pyrite, barite, and tobelite as well as the positive Eu and Gd anomalies, H-type, and M-type REE-Y enrichment patterns suggest the influence of hydrothermal fluids, which lead to re-distribution of some critical elements from roof and parting to the underlying coal seam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal as the source of critical elements has attracted much attention and the enrichment mechanisms are of significant importance. This paper has an opportunity to investigate the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Permian and Jurassic bituminous coals and associated non-coals from two underground coal mines in the Shanbei Coalfield (Northeast Ordos basin), Shaanxi Province, North China, based on the analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP-AES/MS), and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The Jurassic and Permian coals have similar chemical features excluding ash yield, which is significantly higher in the Permian coals. Major mineral matters in the Jurassic coals are quartz, kaolinite, and calcite. By contrast, mineral assemblages of the Permian coals are dominated by kaolinite; and apatite occurring in the middle section's partings. The Jurassic coals are only enriched in B, whereas the Permian coals are enriched in some trace elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Th, and REY). Boron has a mixed inorganic and organic association which may be absorbed by organic matter from fluid (or groundwater) or inherited from coal-forming plants. Additionally, climatic variation also plays an important role. As for the Permian coals, kaolinite and apatite as the major carriers of elevated elements; the former were derived from the sedimentary source region (the Yinshan Oldland and the Benxi formation) and later precipitated from Ca-, and P-rich solutions. We deduced that those elevated elements may be controlled by the source rock and diagenetic fluid input. The findings of this work offered new data to figure out the mechanism of trace element enrichment of coal in the Ordos basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]