Title: Geochemistry of Croatian superhigh-organic-sulphur Raša coal, imported low-S coal and bottom ash: their Se and trace metal fingerprints in seawater, clover, foliage and mushroom specimens
Authors: Gordana Medunić; Željka Kuharić; Adela Krivohlavek; Željka Fiket; Ankica Rađenović; Kristina Gödel; Štefica Kampić; Goran Kniewald
Addresses: Faculty of Science, Department of Geology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia ' Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia ' Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia ' Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia ' Faculty of Metallurgy, University of Zagreb, Sisak, Croatia ' Faculty of Science, Department of Geology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia ' Faculty of Science, Department of Geology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia ' Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract: The Labin City area has represented the major Croatian coal mining, metal industry and coal-fired electricity centre for more than two centuries. The domestic superhigh-organic-sulphur (SHOS) Raša coal is a unique variety compared to other coal types worldwide, based on its highest organic sulphur values, up to 11%. It was utilised in the Plomin coal-fired power plant during the period 1970-2000, and was replaced by an imported low-S coal afterwards. This paper presents the levels of S, Se, V, U, Hg, Sr, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn in the two coal types, their bottom ash, seawater and plant (clover, mushroom and foliage) specimens collected from the Labin City area, while the sulphate was measured in surface stream water. Their levels were compared with relevant legislative as well as the published data from different world localities. Data analysis was interpreted in the context of past and recent coal combustion activities. [Received: March 15, 2017; Accepted: April 28, 2017]
Keywords: SHOS Raša coal; low-S coal; bottom ash; sulphur; selenium; uranium; vanadium; seawater; clover; foliage; mushroom; trace elements.
DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2018.091517
International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2018 Vol.18 No.1/2, pp.3 - 24
Received: 16 Mar 2017
Accepted: 28 Apr 2017
Published online: 04 May 2018 *