Geochemistry Characteristics and Coal-Forming Environments of Carboniferous–Permian Coal: An Example from the Zhaokai Mine, Ningwu Coalfield, Northern China

Meili Hou, Jinxi Wang (), Yurong Liu, Zewen Bao and Balaji Panchal
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Meili Hou: School of Earth Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Jinxi Wang: School of Earth Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Yurong Liu: School of Earth Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Zewen Bao: School of Earth Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Balaji Panchal: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: In order to study the geochemical characteristics of coal in the Ningwu Coalfield of Shanxi Province and the coal-forming environments reflected by it, a detailed geochemical study was carried out on the No. 5 coal of the Zhaokai Mine. The results show that the content of major-element oxides SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 is high. The trace elements Ni, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Hf, Ta, W, Th, and U are slightly enriched, while the elements Li and Zr are enriched, indicating an overall LREY enrichment type in the samples. Elemental parameters suggest that the sedimentary environment in the study area is continental sedimentary, and the whole environment is reductive. The macerals in the coal samples are mainly vitrinite, with an average vitrinite reflectance (R o ) of 0.744%. The distribution range of n -alkanes in the coal samples is from n -C 14 ~ n -C 32 , with the main peak carbons being n -C 24 and n -C 25 , showing the post-single-peak type distribution pattern. The average odd–even predominance index (OEP) is 0.40, the average of the light and heavy hydrocarbons ratio ( ∑ C 21 − / ∑ C 22 + ) is 0.42, and the average of Pr/ n -C 17 and Ph/ n -C 18 are 1.08 and 0.23, respectively. The coal samples also contain various aromatic hydrocarbons, mainly from the naphthalene- and phenanthrene-series compounds. Biomarker parameters indicate that the parent material of the coal samples in the study area is mainly continental higher plants. The maturity is low, and the coal-forming environment is a reduction environment. This study of the No. 5 coal’s geochemical characteristics has laid a foundation for the efficient, green, and comprehensive exploitation of coal resources in this region, and has also provided an important basis for the sustainable development of coal resources.

Keywords: elements geochemistry; organic geochemistry; coal-forming environment; sustainability; Ningwu Coalfield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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