Trace Elements in West Virginia Coals

BARIUM (Ba)

Barium is a common trace element in coal, abundant in some coals, but of little environmental concern.

Geologic Occurrence: Barium occurs primarily in the mineral barite (BaSO₄) in coal. Barite was found in 9 of 24 West Virginia coals examined by scanning electron microscope in an unpublished study by the WVGES. The minerals barytocelestine, witherite and gorceixite have also been reported in coals ¹. Isolated high barium values in coal may be related to overlying marine beds. Barium shows no preferential geographic distribution in coals state-wide. Statistically, barium averaged 110 ppm on a whole coal basis, and did not correlate with ash yield, total sulfur, pyritic sulfur or other trace elements.

Economic Impact: There are no reports of economic impact of barium in coal. Barium is used in paint pigment, medical x-ray diagnostics, glass making and a weighting fluid in well drilling ².

Environmental Impact: No environmental impact of barium in coal has been reported ¹. However, all water soluble barium compounds are poisonous ².

References:
1. Swaine, D.J., (1990)
2. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

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Page last revised: March 1, 2002

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