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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]

Abstract: The emission of trace metal pollutants by industry and transport takes place on a scale large enough to alter atmospheric chemistry and results in measurable differences between the urban background of inhalable particulate matter (PM) in different towns. This is particularly well demonstrated by the technogenic release into the atmosphere of V, Ni, and lanthanoid elements. We compare PM concentrations of these metals in large datasets from five industrial towns in Spain variously influenced by emissions from refinery, power station, shipping, stainless steel, ceramic tiles and brick-making. Increased La/Ce values in urban background inhalable PM, due to La-contamination from refineries and their residual products (fuel oils and petcoke), contrast with Ce-rich emissions from the ceramic related industry, and clearly demonstrate the value of this ratio as a sensitive and reliable tracer for many point source emissions. Similarly, anomalously high V/Ni values (>4) can detect the influence of nearby high-V petcoke and fuel oil combustion, although the use of this ratio in urban background PM is limited by overlapping values in natural and anthropogenic materials. Geochemical characterisation of urban background PM is a valuable compliment to the physical monitoring of aerosols widely employed in urban areas, especially given the relevance of trace metal inhalation to urban health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient PM10 and PM2.5 at Puertollano (central Spain) are derived mostly from local industrial emissions (including a refinery and power stations) and mineral (“crustal”) aerosols from fugitive dusts and African intrusions. Vanadium and the lanthanoid elements (La to Lu) can be used as geochemical markers to help identify these different contributions, especially when combined with atmospheric back-trajectory data. The total lanthanoid (∑Loid) content of PM is controlled primarily by the amount of coarse crustal material present, with the highest values being recorded in PM10 during an African dust intrusion (13ng m−3). In contrast, La/Ce and La/Sm ratios are controlled by fine refinery emissions, rising above natural crustal averages due to the release of La from fluid catalytic converters (FCC), and allowing the identification of La anomalies (La>Ce) when FCC emissions are prominent. Crustal La/Ce ratios are least common, and La anomalies most common, in PM2.5 measured during local pollution events. Increasing contamination of urban/industrial atmospheric PM samples away from crustal compositions may be tracked using a LaCeSm triangular plot, but this does not differentiate between FCC refinery and oil combustion emissions. Comparing lanthanoid and V concentrations does aid such differentiation, although given the likelihood of multiple PM sources in industrial locations, we recommend use of a LaCeV plot rather than simply La/V ratios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Relatively little is known about the lanthanoid element (La to Lu) chemistry of inhalable urban atmospheric particulate matter (PM). PM samples collected during an air sampling campaign in the Mexico City area contain lanthanoid concentrations of mostly 1-10ng m-3, increasing with mass where resuspension of crustal PM is important (low PM2.5/PM10), but not where fine emissions from traffic and industry dominate (high PM2.5/PM10). Samples show anthropogenic enrichment of lighter over heavier lanthanoids, and Ce enrichment relative to La and Sm occurs in the city center (especially PM10) possibly due to PM from road vehicle catalytic converters. La is especially enriched, although many samples show low La/V values (<0.11), suggesting the dominating influence of fuel oil combustion sources rather than refinery emissions. We use La/Sm v La/Ce, LaCeSm, and LaCeV plots to compare Mexico City aerosols with PM from other cities. Lanthanoid aerosol geochemistry can be used not only to identify refinery pollution events, but also as a marker for different hydrocarbon combustion emissions (e.g., oil or coal power stations) on urban background atmospheric PM. [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]

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]

The abnormal enrichment of the REY (rare earth elements and yttrium)-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) assemblage in Late Permian coals occurring in some coalfields in SW China has been extensively investigated, but the geological controlling factors of this assemblage are still under debate. This study reports on the mineralogical and geochemical features of coals and noncoal rocks collected from the Yudai and Jinqi coal mines within the Qiandongbei Coalfield in Guizhou Province to elucidate the geological controls on the distribution of REY-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) enrichment horizons. The studied coals show rather consistent clay mineral assemblage of kaolinite, together with varying amounts of quartz, gypsum, pyrite, and calcite. Notably, the coals are anomalously enriched in REY, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf and enriched in other incompatible elements (e.g., Ga, Th, and U). Phosphates (e.g., florencite) and, to a lesser extent, zircon are the primary carriers of REY. Zirconium and Hf are mainly incorporated into zircon and then anatase, the latter of which is a predominant carrier of Nb and Ta. The detrital materials originate from a mixture of the erupted felsic volcanic ash resembling a peralkaline rhyolite composition and the eroded materials of Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP) basalts. The studied coals owe their highly enhanced concentrations of the REY-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) assemblage to the input of felsic volcanic ash, wherein the highly acidic aqueous solutions allowed these elements to become mobile and be redistributed. Both geological processes governed the distribution of REY-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) enrichment horizons. The highly acidic solutions were possibly derived from the oxidation of peat bogs and volcanism-related acidic rain. The concentrations of REY, Zr, and Nb in the coal ashes exceed their corresponding cut-off grades; thus, these coals can be considered highly promising raw material sources for the REY-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) assemblage. • The studied coals are significantly enriched in REY-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) assemblage. • Detrital materials are derived from a mixture of felsic volcanic ash and eroded mafic materials. • The joint influence of highly acidic solutions and volcanism governs the REY-Zr (Hf)-Nb (Ta) enrichment horizons. • The volcanic ash erupted into peat bogs is geochemically similar to the peralkaline rhyolite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous investigations on major and trace elements within the Early Permian coals from Xinjiang Province are very scarce. This paper reports on the geochemistry of the Early Permian coals and associated non-coal rocks in the Jimunai depression, Xinjiang Province, northwestern China. Samples collected from coal exploration boreholes ZK2603, ZK3003, and ZKH1102 as well as the Haerjiao underground coal mine (Nos. HRJ-7 and HRJ-9 Coals) in the Jimunai Depression were analyzed using SEM-EDS, ICP-AES, and ICP-MS. These Early Permian coals reach the rank of semi-anthracite to anthracite and have low-sulfur contents (0.30% on average). In comparison with the average element concentrations of world coals, Zr, Hf, and rare earth elements and Y (REY) are slightly enriched (concentration coefficient (CC) = 2–5, as the ratio of element content in sample vs. that in world coals) and Mn is enriched (CC = 5–10) in the ZK2603, ZK3003, and ZKH1102 coals. Niobium and Ta are highly enriched in the ZK2603 and ZK3003 coals (CC = 10–100). The HRJ-7 and HRJ-9 coals are slightly enriched in Mn (CC = 2–5). The coals have a sediment source region mainly composed of intermediate-felsic compositions from the Saur Volcanic Arc to the south of the Jimunai Depression, which may have provided relatively high geochemical background concentrations of Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta. Manganese is hosted mainly in ankerite that was derived from epigenetic precipitation from Mn-bearing hydrothermal fluids. Zirconium and Hf in the ZK2603, ZK3003, and ZKH1102 coals are controlled primarily by detrital matter or hydrothermal fluids, the latter of which results in the higher Zr/Hf ratio in the ZK2603 and ZK3003 coals due to the re-distribution of Zr and Hf. Niobium and Ta in the ZK2603 and ZK3003 coals are concentrated chiefly in zircon, and hydrothermal fluid activity caused the release of Nb and Ta from previously-existing inorganic constituents and subsequent incorporation into zircon, resulting in the lower Nb/Ta ratio due to Ta being more easily incorporated into zircon than Nb. REY are hosted primarily within multiple mineral phases (e.g., zircon, phosphates, anatase, clay minerals) and their enrichment results from a combination of detrital matter input and hydrothermal fluid influx, the former of which is evidenced by the occurrence of REY-bearing detrital zircon and anatase, and the latter of which is indicated by the existence of REY-bearing authigenic rhabdophane and anatase and corroded anatase particles, as well as by the positive Gd anomalies and MREY-type or HREY-type REY distribution patterns. • The elevated Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta are hosted mainly in zircon. • Hydrothermal fluid causes redistribution of Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, and REY. • The enhanced Mn concentration was derived from epigenetic hydrothermal solution. • Terrigenous material and hydrothermal activity contribute to geochemical anomaly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]