A mineralogical and geochemical study of three Brazilian coal cleaning rejects: Demonstration of electron beam applications

César M.N.L. Cutruneo; Marcos L.S. Oliveira; Colin R. Ward; James C. Hower; Irineu A.S. De Brum; Carlos H. Sampaio; Rubens M. Kautzmann; Silvio R. Taffarel; Elba C. Teixeira; Luis F.O. Silva

doi:10.1016/j.coal.2014.05.009

A mineralogical and geochemical study of three Brazilian coal cleaning rejects: Demonstration of electron beam applications

César M.N.L. Cutruneo, Marcos L.S. Oliveira, Colin R. Ward, James C. Hower, Irineu A.S. De Brum, Carlos H. Sampaio, Rubens M. Kautzmann, Silvio R. Taffarel, Elba C. Teixeira, Luis F.O. Silva

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

The background and anthropogenic levels of hazardous elements in the surface soil of a coal mining area depend on the geological setting of the region and the underlying soil material, but may also be influenced by water-borne or aeolian transport of sediment from adjacent coal-related waste piles. Very few studies have focused on the chemical and mineralogical composition of Brazilian coal cleaning rejects (CCRs), which may represent significant sources of soil or water contamination. In this study, we have investigated the quantitative distribution of minerals and potentially hazardous elements in CCRs and a run-of-mine coal from the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The major minerals, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis techniques (FE-SEM/EDS) are kaolinite, quartz, mixed-layer illite-smectite, pyrite, jarosite, melanterite, gypsum, rutile, and calcite, while minor minerals include barite, hematite, siderite, sphalerite, and goethite. Galena, magnetite, zircon, and many other species may also occur as accessory/trace minerals. Pyrite and jarosite are relatively abundant in some cases, making up to around 4% or 5% of the mineral matter, with jarosite, melanterite, and gypsum probably formed by complex interaction of oxidation products from Fe-sulfides and clay or carbonate components, initiated by exposure and storage of the host material. Such atmospheric exposure promotes sulfide oxidation that releases substantial sulfate loads as well as Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, and Al³⁺. Metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cd. Most of the trace pollutants in the CCRs displayed a pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples but mobile under the low-pH conditions associated with oxidized material. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter components of the CCRs during storage, and the potential for release of potentially hazardous elements in association with longer-term exposure and storage.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	33-52
Number of pages	20
Journal	International Journal of Coal Geology
Volume	130
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2014.05.009
State	Published - Aug 15 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the logistical support from the coal mining companies (access to samples). The authors thank the CNPq, FAPERGS, UNILASALLE, and the Electron Microscopy Center of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul for the analyses. Editor Shifeng Dai and the anonymous referees are thanked for their constructive comments on the manuscript.

Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

Coal petrology
Coal preparation
Electron microscopy
Mineral matter
Trace element geochemistry
X-ray diffraction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Fuel Technology
Geology
Economic Geology
Stratigraphy

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10.1016/j.coal.2014.05.009

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Cutruneo, C. M. N. L., Oliveira, M. L. S., Ward, C. R., Hower, J. C., De Brum, I. A. S., Sampaio, C. H., Kautzmann, R. M., Taffarel, S. R., Teixeira, E. C., & Silva, L. F. O. (2014). A mineralogical and geochemical study of three Brazilian coal cleaning rejects: Demonstration of electron beam applications. International Journal of Coal Geology, 130, 33-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2014.05.009

@article{96b8481874ad42f482deb0c3f7c96663,

title = "A mineralogical and geochemical study of three Brazilian coal cleaning rejects: Demonstration of electron beam applications",

abstract = "The background and anthropogenic levels of hazardous elements in the surface soil of a coal mining area depend on the geological setting of the region and the underlying soil material, but may also be influenced by water-borne or aeolian transport of sediment from adjacent coal-related waste piles. Very few studies have focused on the chemical and mineralogical composition of Brazilian coal cleaning rejects (CCRs), which may represent significant sources of soil or water contamination. In this study, we have investigated the quantitative distribution of minerals and potentially hazardous elements in CCRs and a run-of-mine coal from the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The major minerals, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis techniques (FE-SEM/EDS) are kaolinite, quartz, mixed-layer illite-smectite, pyrite, jarosite, melanterite, gypsum, rutile, and calcite, while minor minerals include barite, hematite, siderite, sphalerite, and goethite. Galena, magnetite, zircon, and many other species may also occur as accessory/trace minerals. Pyrite and jarosite are relatively abundant in some cases, making up to around 4% or 5% of the mineral matter, with jarosite, melanterite, and gypsum probably formed by complex interaction of oxidation products from Fe-sulfides and clay or carbonate components, initiated by exposure and storage of the host material. Such atmospheric exposure promotes sulfide oxidation that releases substantial sulfate loads as well as Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, and Al3+. Metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cd. Most of the trace pollutants in the CCRs displayed a pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples but mobile under the low-pH conditions associated with oxidized material. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter components of the CCRs during storage, and the potential for release of potentially hazardous elements in association with longer-term exposure and storage.",

keywords = "Coal petrology, Coal preparation, Electron microscopy, Mineral matter, Trace element geochemistry, X-ray diffraction",

author = "Cutruneo, {C{\'e}sar M.N.L.} and Oliveira, {Marcos L.S.} and Ward, {Colin R.} and Hower, {James C.} and {De Brum}, {Irineu A.S.} and Sampaio, {Carlos H.} and Kautzmann, {Rubens M.} and Taffarel, {Silvio R.} and Teixeira, {Elba C.} and Silva, {Luis F.O.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the logistical support from the coal mining companies (access to samples). The authors thank the CNPq, FAPERGS, UNILASALLE, and the Electron Microscopy Center of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul for the analyses. Editor Shifeng Dai and the anonymous referees are thanked for their constructive comments on the manuscript. Copyright: Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2014",

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doi = "10.1016/j.coal.2014.05.009",

language = "English",

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T2 - Demonstration of electron beam applications

AU - Cutruneo, César M.N.L.

AU - Oliveira, Marcos L.S.

AU - Ward, Colin R.

AU - Hower, James C.

AU - De Brum, Irineu A.S.

AU - Sampaio, Carlos H.

AU - Kautzmann, Rubens M.

AU - Taffarel, Silvio R.

AU - Teixeira, Elba C.

AU - Silva, Luis F.O.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the logistical support from the coal mining companies (access to samples). The authors thank the CNPq, FAPERGS, UNILASALLE, and the Electron Microscopy Center of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul for the analyses. Editor Shifeng Dai and the anonymous referees are thanked for their constructive comments on the manuscript. Copyright: Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2014/8/15

Y1 - 2014/8/15

N2 - The background and anthropogenic levels of hazardous elements in the surface soil of a coal mining area depend on the geological setting of the region and the underlying soil material, but may also be influenced by water-borne or aeolian transport of sediment from adjacent coal-related waste piles. Very few studies have focused on the chemical and mineralogical composition of Brazilian coal cleaning rejects (CCRs), which may represent significant sources of soil or water contamination. In this study, we have investigated the quantitative distribution of minerals and potentially hazardous elements in CCRs and a run-of-mine coal from the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The major minerals, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis techniques (FE-SEM/EDS) are kaolinite, quartz, mixed-layer illite-smectite, pyrite, jarosite, melanterite, gypsum, rutile, and calcite, while minor minerals include barite, hematite, siderite, sphalerite, and goethite. Galena, magnetite, zircon, and many other species may also occur as accessory/trace minerals. Pyrite and jarosite are relatively abundant in some cases, making up to around 4% or 5% of the mineral matter, with jarosite, melanterite, and gypsum probably formed by complex interaction of oxidation products from Fe-sulfides and clay or carbonate components, initiated by exposure and storage of the host material. Such atmospheric exposure promotes sulfide oxidation that releases substantial sulfate loads as well as Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, and Al3+. Metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cd. Most of the trace pollutants in the CCRs displayed a pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples but mobile under the low-pH conditions associated with oxidized material. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter components of the CCRs during storage, and the potential for release of potentially hazardous elements in association with longer-term exposure and storage.

AB - The background and anthropogenic levels of hazardous elements in the surface soil of a coal mining area depend on the geological setting of the region and the underlying soil material, but may also be influenced by water-borne or aeolian transport of sediment from adjacent coal-related waste piles. Very few studies have focused on the chemical and mineralogical composition of Brazilian coal cleaning rejects (CCRs), which may represent significant sources of soil or water contamination. In this study, we have investigated the quantitative distribution of minerals and potentially hazardous elements in CCRs and a run-of-mine coal from the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The major minerals, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis techniques (FE-SEM/EDS) are kaolinite, quartz, mixed-layer illite-smectite, pyrite, jarosite, melanterite, gypsum, rutile, and calcite, while minor minerals include barite, hematite, siderite, sphalerite, and goethite. Galena, magnetite, zircon, and many other species may also occur as accessory/trace minerals. Pyrite and jarosite are relatively abundant in some cases, making up to around 4% or 5% of the mineral matter, with jarosite, melanterite, and gypsum probably formed by complex interaction of oxidation products from Fe-sulfides and clay or carbonate components, initiated by exposure and storage of the host material. Such atmospheric exposure promotes sulfide oxidation that releases substantial sulfate loads as well as Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, and Al3+. Metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cd. Most of the trace pollutants in the CCRs displayed a pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples but mobile under the low-pH conditions associated with oxidized material. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter components of the CCRs during storage, and the potential for release of potentially hazardous elements in association with longer-term exposure and storage.

KW - Coal petrology

KW - Coal preparation

KW - Electron microscopy

KW - Mineral matter

KW - Trace element geochemistry

KW - X-ray diffraction

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VL - 130

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JO - International Journal of Coal Geology

JF - International Journal of Coal Geology

ER -

A mineralogical and geochemical study of three Brazilian coal cleaning rejects: Demonstration of electron beam applications

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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