학술논문

Geochemistry, petrology, and palynology of the Princess No. 3 coal, Greenup County, Kentucky
Document Type
article
Source
International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, Vol 7, Iss 4, Pp 633-651 (2020)
Subject
Maceral
Rare earth elements
Lanthanides
Coal lithology
Mining engineering. Metallurgy
TN1-997
Language
English
ISSN
2095-8293
2198-7823
Abstract
Abstract The high volatile C bituminous-rank, Bolsovian-age Princess No. 3 coal, a correlative of the heavily-mined Hazard No. 7 coal and the Peach Orchard and Coalburg Lower Split coals, was investigated three sites at a mine in Greenup County, Kentucky. The coal exhibits a “dulling upwards” trend, with decreasing vitrinite and a greater tendency towards dull clarain and bone lithotypes towards the top of the coal. The relatively vitrinite-rich basal lithotype is marked by a dominance of lycopod tree spores. The palynology transitions upwards to a middle parting co-dominated by tree fern and small lycopod spores and an upper bench dominated by tree ferns with contributions from small ferns, cordaites, and calamites. The lithotypes generally have a moderate- to high-S content with a variable ash yield. Sulfur, Fe2O3, and certain siderophile elements are highest near the top of the coal. As observed in other coals, uranium and Ge are enriched at the top and bottom margins of the coal. The rare earth chemistry at the top of the coal has a significantly lighter distribution (higher LREE/HREE) than at the base of the coal.