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Characterization of Santa Catarina (Brazil) coal with respect to human health and environmental concerns

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Abstract

The current paper presents the concentration, distribution, and modes of occurrence of trace elements of 13 coals from south Brazil. The samples were collected in the state of Santa Catarina. Chemical analyses and the high ash yields indicate that all studied coals are rich in mineral matter, with SiO2 and Al2O3 dominating as determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Quartz is the main mineral species and is associated with minor levels of feldspars, kaolinite, hematite, and iron-rich carbonates. The contents of trace elements, including As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Be, V, U, Zn, Li, Cu, Tl, and Ni, in coals were determined. A comparison of ranges and means of elemental concentrations in Santa Catarina, Brazil, and world coals shows that the ranges of most elements in Santa Catarina coal are very close to the usual worldwide concentration ranges in coal.

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Acknowledgments

The US Geological Survey conducted most of the chemical analyses as part their World Coal Quality Inventory project (WoCQI: Finkelman 2000). We thank Susan Tewalt of the USGS for her cooperation and we are grateful to Mr. Marcio Pink for invaluable collaboration in the structural work.

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Author notes

  1. R. B. Finkelman

    Present address: Department of Geosciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75083, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departmento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Quiímica, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    L. F. O. Silva

  2. Department of Technological Sciences and Accurate Sciences, University of South of Santa Catarina, Avenue José Acácio Moreira, 787 Dehom, Tubarao, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    M. L. S. Oliveira

  3. Departmento de Fisiologia, Faculta de Medicina, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    K. M. da Boit

  4. U.S. Geological Survey, Mail Stop 956, Reston, VA, 20192, USA

    R. B. Finkelman

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  1. L. F. O. Silva
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  2. M. L. S. Oliveira
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  3. K. M. da Boit
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  4. R. B. Finkelman
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Correspondence to L. F. O. Silva.

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Silva, L.F.O., Oliveira, M.L.S., da Boit, K.M. et al. Characterization of Santa Catarina (Brazil) coal with respect to human health and environmental concerns. Environ Geochem Health 31, 475–485 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-008-9200-y

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