Geologic controls on sulfur content of the Blue Gem coal seam, southeastern Kentucky

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6198996

Rimmer, S M; Moore, T A; Esterle, J S; Hower, J C

Detailed petrographic and lithologic data on the Blue Gem coal seam for a local area in Knox County, Kentucky, suggest that a relationship may exist between overlying roof lithology, petrographic composition of the coal, and sulfur content. In the western part of the area, where thick (20-40 feet) shale sequences overlie the coal, sulfur contents are low (less than 1%). In isolated areas where discontinuous sandstones occur within 6 feet of the coal, sulfur contents range from 1% to over 3%. In the east, a sandstone body usually overlies and frequently scours out the coal, yet sulfur content varies independently of roof lithology. Towards the east, there is an increase in abundance, thickness and variability of fusain bands within the coal and an increase in pyrite and siderite either as cell fillings in fusinite or as masses within vitrinite; early emplacement of these minerals is indicated by compaction features. Data suggest the importance of depositional environment of the peat and overlying sediments as a control on sulfur occurrence. High sulfur contents in the west are related to sandstone bodies which may have allowed sulfate-bearing waters to permeate into the peat. In the east, where increases in pyrite, siderite and fusain content of the coal and coarsening of the overlying sediments suggest a change in environment, the presence or absence of pyrite-containing fusain bands may account for sulfur variability. Siderite occurrence may reflect local fluctuations in sulfate supply to the peat swamp.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6198996
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Journal Information: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28 Oct 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
58 GEOSCIENCES
COAL DEPOSITS
DEPOSITION
PETROLOGY
SULFUR CONTENT
KENTUCKY
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COAL SEAMS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
LITHOLOGY
MACERALS
PETROGRAPHY
CHEMISTRY
FEDERAL REGION IV
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
USA
010500* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Products & By-Products
011000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
580400 - Geochemistry- (-1989)