Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry of Coals

Dear Colleagues,

"Whatever you didn't think about, it's not in the coal"—a spontaneously expressed thought of a colleague during the analysis of coal samples by SEM. Over 300 minerals have been identified in coal, most of which are accessory or nanophase. Mineral matter in coal not only carries genetic information but is also a concentrator of trace elements, which are important for the mining, beneficiation, and combustion of coal, as well as during the storage of waste products from these activities. Coal has been found to contain almost all the elements of the periodic table except for inert gases, technetium, and some radioactive elements such as Fr, Ac, and Po. The study of the inorganic chemical composition of coal is related to defining the mode of occurrence of the elements, their quantitative presence, economic value, and their migration behavior during the technological treatment of the coal. Some of the trace elements found in coal are considered valuable and/or critical while others are toxic depending on their impact on the environment and human health. Petrographic studies are the basis of organic petrology and coal geology. They provide information on the coal quality, coalification rate, coking and briquetting potential and paleoenvironmental deposition. It is proved that individual lithotypes have specific trace element concentration abilities, as well as these elements possibly occuring as organic compounds. There is an intimate relationship between organic matter and syngenetic minerals. The petrographic, mineral, and inorganic chemical compositions of coal are closely related, and their study provides both new fundamental knowledge and information for using coal as a source of critical/valuable elements. At present, some coal deposits are mined for Ge extraction. Coal still has a significant part in the energy sector in many countries around the world, which necessitates their petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical research.

Dr. Mariana G. Yossifova
Dr. Yakov E. Yudovich
Dr. Alexander Zdravkov
Guest Editors

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• coal
• petrology
• mineral matter
• geochemistry
• trace elements