Trace Elements in West Virginia Coals
Trace Elements in West Virginia Coals
PRASEODYMIUM (Pr)
Geologic Occurrence: Praseodymium is a trace element in the mineral monazite1. Monazite was found in trace amounts in 22 of 24 coal samples examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in an unpublished study by the WVGES, but Pr was not detected in any of these grains. Praseodymium was detected in only 80 of 546 coal samples analyzed in West Virginia and averaged 3.11 ppm on a whole coal basis. Praseodymium correlated poorly with ash yield and slightly with molybdenum and uranium. Based on only 80 samples, there may be a stratigraphic trend with high Pr in Pocahontas and New River Formation coals, low Pr values in Kanawha Formation coals, and high Pr in Monongahela Group (Pittsburgh and Redstone) coals.
Economic Impact: Praseodymium in coal has no economic impact. Praseodymium is used in manufacture of cigarette lighters and as a core material in carbon arcs used in motion picture projectors 1.
Environmental Impact: Praseodymium in coal apparently has no environmental impact .
References:
1. CRC Handbook
of Chemistry and Physics
| To request specific information from a Survey geologist click here. |
Page last revised: March 2, 2002
Please send questions, comments, and/or suggestions to webmaster.
Page created and maintained by: West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey Address: Mont Chateau Research Center Cheat Lake exit off I-68 P.O. Box 879 Morgantown, WV 26507-0879 Telephone: 1-800-WV-GEOLOgy (1-800-984-3656) or 304-594-2331 FAX: 304-594-2575 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday - FridayPermission to reproduce this material is granted if acknowledgment is given to the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey.