Trace Elements in West Virginia Coals
Trace Elements in West Virginia Coals
TUNGSTEN (W)
Geologic Distribution: Tungsten is generally thought to be bound in the organic phases of coal, but may in some cases be within carbonate minerals 1. Mean whole coal W was 0.79 ppm. Tungsten did not statistically correlate with ash yield, total sulfur, pyritic sulfur or any other trace elements, thus reinforcing the suggested organic bonding of W in coals. Stratigraphic trends show a general trend with most coals containing less than 1 ppm on a whole coal basis and highest W in coals of the upper Kanawha Formation and Allegheny group with somewhat lower W in most Pocahontas Formation and lowest W in coals of the Conemaugh and Monongahela Group. Tungsten displayed no clear areal distribution trend with highest W values in coals of southern West Virginia.
Economic Impact: Tungsten in coal has no economic impact. Tungsten is used in lamp filaments, electron and television tubes and x-ray tubes and tungsten carbide, because of its hardness, is important in metal-working, mining and petroleum drilling 2.
Environmental Impact: There are no environmental concerns with tungsten in coal mining or utilization 1.
References:
1. Swaine,
D.J., (1990)
2. CRC Handbook
of Chemistry and Physics
| To request specific information from a Survey geologist click here. |
Page last revised: March 1, 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.