In Meghalaya, coal is present in the Lakadong sandstone formation (25 to 250 meters thick) of the Eocene epoch. The three major clusters of coalfields in Meghalaya are the Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills. Based on petrographic studies, tectonics, and sulphur content, done by many scientists, it has been suggested that the coal-bearing strata of Jaintia Hills were formed from swamp forest on the platform areas and repeatedly subjected to marine transgression and regression. The present investigation is based upon geochemical attributes extracted from the inorganic component of coal to supplement the previous findings and also to develop a detailed understanding of the paleo deposition condition of these coals. Coal samples from two coal seams at nine locations of the Sampar coalfield of Jaintia Hills were collected and studied. The samples are subjected to X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction Analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and ash analysis to study geochemical and mineralogical composition and ash yield. Mineralogical and geochemical data generated during the study were used to predict the autogenetic character of these coals. The study reveals that coals of Jaintia Hills deposited in coastal swamps and lagoons on stable platform areas with a minuscule grade of tectonic activity, which is influenced by the seawater incursion. These coals were deposited in reducing to significantly reducing conditions and warm and humid to semi-arid climatic conditions. No signature of geothermally active fluid has been found.
Coal samples of Eocene age (Shella Formation) from four different mines (Bapung, Jaintia, Sutunga, and Lakadong) of the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, Northeast India, were collected and investigated to observe the sulphur content and to understand the palaeoenvironment, utilisation prospects, and environmental impact. The study reveals that these coal samples contain sulphur in higher concentration (4.46% to 7.26%) both organic and inorganic forms. There are 3 coal seams exposed in the area. The organic sulphur is higher (2.53%-5.49%) than the inorganic forms (1.26%-1.77%). The upper seam is found to contain higher concentration of sulphur than the lower seam. Intra seam pyritic sulphur also shows an upward increasing trend. The high sulphur content in the coal seams suggests the marine influence in the peat-forming swamps. These coals are classified as High Sulphur coal (>1%) which is the main obstacle in the utilization although high volatile matter and hydrogen content strongly suggest that these coals are good for liquefaction. Moreover, during coal combustion emissions of sulphur dioxide produce acid rain, affecting the environment of the mine areas.
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