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Geochemical characteristics of the Rajmahal coals in Dhulia North Block, Eastern India: implication to their utilization and environment

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Abstract

The borehole coal samples of Dhulia North Block from the Rajmahal Basin, Eastern India, were systematically analyzed based on the chemical composition and concentration of major and trace elements (including rare earth elements, REEs) to assess the distribution of REEs and their environmental implications with utilization potential. The Dhulia North Block coals are characterized by the predominant major oxides of SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3, accounting for 94% of the total ash composition, indicating the presence of quartz, clay-rich minerals, and pyrite. Compared with the average world coal ash, the total REE content in the analyzed samples ranged from 341.0 to 810.4 ppm, which is substantially higher. Hot humid climate conditions with intermediate igneous source rocks of the basin were demonstrated by the major oxide ratios (Al2O3/TiO2 < 20) and plots of TiO2 with Al2O3 and Zr. The redox-sensitive elements such as V, Ni, Cr, and Co found in the Dhulia North Block coal indicate that an oxic sedimentary environment existed in the basin when coal was formed. The low sulfur content (1% in most samples) indicates freshwater conditions in the basin at the time of organic matter deposition. The outlook coefficient (Coutl) varies between 0.7 and 1.6, indicating that the Dhulia North Block coals are a prospective source of REEs. The Dhulia North Block coals are characterized by low H/C and O/C atomic ratios ranging from 0.56 to 0.90 and 0.10 to 0.22, respectively, and contain type-III kerogens, indicating gas-prone source rock. Further, the basic-to-acid oxide ratio suggested that Dhulia North Block coals were suitable for utilization during combustion processes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Director, CSIR-NML, for providing the analytical facility for analyses. The first author acknowledges the University of Malaya Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship scheme (associated with grant number IF064-2019). We gladly acknowledge the editor and three anonymous knowledgeable reviewers for their helpful suggestions that improved the original manuscript.

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  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Alok Kumar & Khairul Azlan Mustapha

  2. Analytical and Applied Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, 831007, India

    Sneha Kumari, Saswati Chakladar & Sanchita Chakravarty

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All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The individual contribution is as follows: AK was involved in conceptualization, wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and revised the manuscript. SK collected the sample, performed the formal analysis, and prepared the tables. KAM and SC were involved in conceptualization, supervision, and review and edit. SC performed the formal analysis and was involved in review and edit.

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Kumar, A., Kumari, S., Mustapha, K.A. et al. Geochemical characteristics of the Rajmahal coals in Dhulia North Block, Eastern India: implication to their utilization and environment. Environ Geochem Health 45, 6967–6983 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01475-1

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