Assessment of Environmental Impact of Coal Exploration and Exploitation in the Drama Basin, Northeastern Greek-Macedonia
- 1 November 1998
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Energy Sources
- Vol. 20 (9), 795-820
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00908319808970099
Abstract
Forty-three samples of lignites and their partings from six boreholes from the Drama Basin, Macedonia, in northwestern Greece were analyzed for their mineralogy and geochemistry. Mineralogical analysis of low temperature (120°C) ashes indicates that quartz and gypsum are present in all samples, while feldspars, clay minerals, and pyrite are present in most samples. Amphiboles, magnetite, diopside, anatase, siderite, stro-mayerite, and kizerite are encountered in order of abundance in fewer samples. In addition, calcite is present in all partings. Mineralogical analysis of high temperature (855°C) ashes reveals the presence of quartz, feldspars, anhydrite, and hematite in most of the samples while maghemite, lime, and rutile are encountered in order of abundance in fewer samples. Sulfur content of these lignites is low to medium (0.4–1.17 percent daf) and is mostly inorganic (sulfur associated with mineral matter). Sulfur associated with macerals (organic sulfur) as determined in low temperature ash ranges between 0.3–11.9 percent of total sulfur. Most elements in these lignites are associated with mineral matter or do not show any preference, except Br, Hf Mn, Mo, Sb, U, and V, which are bound to coal macerals (organic). The source of As, Mo, Sb, U, V, and W, which is encountered in high concentrations, is due to the surrounding crystalline rocks. These elements are mobilized and transported by surficial water, deposited syngenetically in the peat swamp, and finally incorporated in the lignite.Keywords
This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:
- Research and Exploration of Coal in Greece: A View to the FutureEnergy Sources, 1997
- Petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of lignites from Crete, GreeceInternational Journal of Coal Geology, 1996
- Environmental Aspects of Trace Elements in CoalEnergy & Environment, 1995
- Geochemical characterization of lignite from southern Saskatchewan, CanadaPublished by Natural Resources Canada/CMSS/Information Management ,1995
- The influence of geological factors on the concentration of boron in Australian and Canadian coalsChemical Geology, 1994
- Sorption of As and Se on mineral components of fly ash: Relevance for leaching processesApplied Geochemistry, 1994
- Sorption of arsenic by iron oxides and oxyhydroxides in soilsApplied Geochemistry, 1994
- Reconnaissance study of mineral matter and trace elements in Greek lignitesChemical Geology, 1989
- The petrology of greek brown coalsInternational Journal of Coal Geology, 1984