Geochemical appraisal for type differentiation of some British coals. – G.O Asuen, T.U.S Onyeobi and O.I. Imasuen
ABSTRACT
Some British coals from Northumberland and Scottish Fife were assessed based on petrographic, mineralogic and chemical evidence. This is consistent with the current emphasis on the use of both primary (prediagenetic) and secondary (epigenetic) mineralization episodes in the search for type differentiation of coals. The study presents ample evidence that the differences in the occurrence and variation of the major and minor elements for the coal groups can be conveniently related to environmental influences and source material input. Although efforts on type differentiation to date have come to involve an integrated petrographic study, the major element Al (as Al2O3) and minor element Cr associated with these groups of coals, appear to constitute a very satisfactory reference for characterization and distinction of coal types. Principal component analysis (stereograms) of the data obtained, shows that beryllium and nickel which occur in all coal types as organometallic complexes are reflected by the clusters of points for Beaumont and Westfield coaly shale type differentiation.