Determination of trace element affinities in coal by laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The occurrence, association and distribution of potentially toxic trace elements (PTTEs) in coal are basic criteria for predicting the forms and amounts of trace elements that are transferred to the environment during coal combustion processes. Previously, the determination of the affinities of PTTEs in coal was carried out by laborious density separation and subsequent analysis of the density fractions. This study has evaluated a new means of directly determining PTTE affinities in coal by laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAMP-ICP-MS). The affinities were determined by a rapid semiquantitative methodology. Additionally, some preliminary quantitative concentrations were obtained using a novel calibration strategy. The spatial resolution of the LAMP-ICP-MS technique allows the analysis of single grains of macerals and minerals in polished blocks, leading to a wide range of applications in coal geochemistry.