Lignites from the Plains region of Alberta, Canada—Part 2: Elemental geochemistry

ABSTRACT

Mineralogy and elemental concentration of two coal seams in Alberta, Canada, were determined using X-ray diffractometry and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Minerals consist mainly of quartz and calcium minerals, the latter as calcite and vaterite, and oxalate (whewellite). Clay minerals are present as kaolinite, reflecting peat deposition in an acidic environment. Most elements in the coal show depletion compared to Clarke values. Some elements are associated with mineral matter (e.g., Ti, Ba, Si, Al, K, Mg, and Y) and increase with ash. Na, Mn, Sr, and Cu are associated with macerals. High phosphorous and strontium in one interval may be related to the high concentration of whewellite.

KEYWORDS:

• Alberta
• Canada
• elemental geochemistry
• lignite
• major oxides

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ms. Deirdre Sutor of Core Laboratories for her technical input.