ABSTRACT
Twenty mined coal samples obtained from different areas of Pakistan and six wooden coal samples obtained from local market were analyzed for toxic/trace element concentration by two analytical techniques namely atomic absorption spectroscopy and neutron activation analysis. Seven metals, i.e., Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by AAS whereas 16 elements namely, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Rb, Tb, Th, Yb and Zn were determined by NAA in all samples. Significant concentration of toxic elements such as S, Cr, Fe and Na were observed in mined coal samples, which may pose environmental and engineering/operational problems for thermal power plants.