APPLICATION OF PIXE, MICROANALYSIS TO MACERALS AND SULFIDES FROM THE LOWER KITTANNING COAL OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) microanalysis is shown to be capa ble of semiquantitative to quantitative standardless determination of trace element abundances in coal macerals and sulfides using an intern al normalization protocol. PIXE spectra are quantified using a least-s quares data reduction method by normalization to S determined by elect ron microprobe in macerals and to Fe determined by mineral stoichiomet ry in Fe sulfides. Application of the PIXE technique to vitrinite mace rals and Fe sulfides from channel samples of the Lower Kittanning Coal Bed of western Pennsylvania suggests that Ni, Cu, As, Se, Mo, and Pb are associated with Fe sulfides and Cl, Ca, Ti, Ge, Ga, and Br are ass ociated with vitrinite macerals. Organic S is higher in marine-influen ced macerals within the Lower Kittanning coal. Similarly, As/Se and Mo /Se are higher within Fe sulfides from the marine-influenced coals. De volatilization of coal beds may be a plausible source of complexing io ns and metals for ore deposit formation. Such fluids may be characteri zed by low Cl/Br relative to most hydrothermal fluids.