Geochemical characteristics of major and trace elements in Sahinali Coals, Aydin, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, geochemical behavior of elements is investigated in 25 coal samples collected at 10 locations of Şahinli coaliferous units at southeast of Aydın, Turkey. In all the samples, X-ray powder diffraction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses were performed and element and mineral compositions were determined. Total organic carbon (TOC) values of coals are between 14.6 and 37.7 wt% with average of 28.5 wt%. Samples are composed of quartz, calcite, feldspar, dolomite, mica, gypsum, and salt minerals which are accompanied by illite-, kaolinite-, and smectitetype clay minerals.