SELECTED ELEMENTS AND RADIONUCLIDES IN THERMAL COALS FROM ALBERTA, CANADA

This preliminary study reports on the concentration of selected elemen ts of environmental concern, such as Be, Cd, F, Hg, Pb, and radionucli des, in subbituminous coals used exclusively for power generation in A lberta. Results show that the concentrations of these elements and rad ioactive nuclides in the coals studied are low compared to typical con centrations in world coals. The coals are ''clean,'' suitable for use in coal-fired power plants, and their utilization has little impact on the environment The potential fate of the elements and radionuclides is interpreted only in general terms, mainly by referring to previous studies on the behavior of trace elements and radionuclides during com bustion.