Release of trace elements from a burning bituminous culm bank

Abstract

A burning bituminous coal waste-bank at Mather, PA was studied in order to determine if trace elements are being released into the environment in substantial concentrations. Samples of the minerals forming on the surface of the bank, the gases escaping from vents, and the water and sediment from a nearby stream were analyzed to determine the presence of these elements. The output of trace elements from the Mather bank, as is evidenced by the minerals forming on the surface, is relatively low compared to the output from actively burning anthracite culm-banks. Copper was the only element of potential environmental significance found accumulating on the Mather bank. However, the sediment in the vicinity of the bank and the waters immediately downstream did not have anomolously high concentrations of copper. Relatively high concentrations of arsenic were found in the organic matter at the base of the bank but no evidence of high As values were found downstream. No potentially toxic elements, other than sulfur, were detected in the gases being emitted from the culm-bank. Because of the quiescent condition of the Mather culm-bank the question of the fate of trace elements released in the burning process remains unanswered.