DETERMINATION OF CONCENTRATIONS OF SELECTED TRACE ELEMENTS IN RUN OF MINE COAL, DISCARD AND COAL PRODUCTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE THEREOF
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/Abstract
The concentrations of selected trace elements, Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), and Lead (Pb), in coal Run of Mine coal (ROM), discard and coal product were investigated to assess the efficiency of coal beneficiation process in reducing trace element concentrations and ultimately ascertain whether there may be environmental implications for environmental compliance to regulatory frameworks. Samples were collected from the Run of Mine coal, discard and coal product twice a month for a period of twenty-four months. The samples were ashed to approximately 0.21 mm, thereafter, digested in a mixture of 5 mL 70 % Nitric acid (HNO3)and 2 mL of 40 % Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Except for Pb, the mean concentration of all elements decreased from the ROM stage to the coal product stage. The order in which trace elements occurred from the highest to lowest throughout the production chain were as follows: Pb>As>Hg>Cd. The present study suggests that the current beneficiation process is unable to reduce the level of Pb. This is because Pb exists in the organic fraction of the coal and, therefore, not easily reduced by coal beneficiation. Elevated Pb concentrations in coal products may result in adverse environmental impacts with negative implications concerning South Africa's environmental compliance to regulatory frameworks.
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