REE Geochemistry of Moderate- and High-Sulfur Coals from North Shanxi, China

摘要

Contents of the rare-earth elements ( REE) in two coal seams from North Shanxi Province, China, were determined using the instrumental neutron activation method. Based on the REE distribution patterns, and correlation analysis and cluster analysis, the main conclusions were drawn as follows. The REE contents are controlled mainly by the coal-forming environments, but might be affected by acidic solution leaching after peat sedimentation. The REE distribution patterns should be nearly the same in the sublayers of the same coal seam, and the occurrence of abnormal patterns might indicate the geological effect during post-sedimentation. The REE in coals are present mainly in the inorganic phase, and might be derived mainly from terrigenous detrital minerals. Some harmful elements, such as V, P, Mo, Cr, Cu, Mo, Th and Cd, might have cleaning potential during processing and dressing by washing because they are associated with REE.