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Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2015 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 223-231
Research Article

A Study of Geology and Geochemistry of Trace Elements in Central Alborz Coals, Northern Iran

Leila Ardebili
Department of Mineralogy, Faculty of Geology, Baku State University, Baku Az-1148, Azerbaijan
Vasef Babazadeh
Department of Mineralogy, Faculty of Geology, Baku State University, Baku Az-1148, Azerbaijan
Musa Mammadov
Department of Mineralogy, Faculty of Geology, Baku State University, Baku Az-1148, Azerbaijan
This study focused on bituminous coals of Galandrud region of central Alborz in northern Iran. Coals of this region within carbonaceous sediments of Shemshak formation with the age of upper Triassic-lower Jurassic have been deposited in the form of 32 coal beds. These coals are characterized by relatively high percentage of ash content (6.40-12.73%), high volatile matters (33.32-37.45%) and calorific value (7430-8880 kcal kg-1). Total sulphur amount of Galandrud coals is low (0.45-1.01% wt.) which indicate this region’s coals have been deposited in fresh water liminic sedimentary environment. Detected minerals in Galandrud coals are of dolomite (more than 80%), siderite, quartz, sphalrite, galena and kaolinite. Mineral sulphur is seen only in the form of fine and dispersal pyrite within coals of coal layers. Macercals, forming organic part of these coals are mostly of vitrinite (collotelinite) and inertinite (fusinite) group which their pores and fissures have been filled with carbonate and silica. Major elements correlate positively with ash contents demonstrating an association with inorganic constituents. Based on statistical analyses, concentrations of the trace elements such as Co (51.3-152.9 ppm), Ba (368-3297.4 ppm), Cr (65.5-194.2 ppm), Mo (5.6-18.2 ppm), Ni (72.9-152.9 ppm) and V (245.5-520 ppm) are higher than world coal average. However, these coals have low concentration of some volatile elements such as As, Hg and U.
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