DISTRIBUTION OF SULFUR IN COALS OF THE TERUEL MINING DISTRICT, SPAIN

The total, pyritic, sulfate and organic sulfur contents of the Albian coals of the Teruel Coal Mining District were determined. The results have enabled us to describe the distributive characteristics of the sulfur in the study area in terms of coal seam, stratigraphic series and sedimentary basin. The accepted influences of the marine depositional environment and the diagenetic evolution of the coal seams on the sulfur content are reflected in this distribution. Moreover, it is demonstrated that this distribution is modified by the massive leaching of sulfates from continental sourcelands towards the sedimentary basin. Owing to this, the coal seams from proximal series without marine influence have a higher sulfur content than the coal seams from the series with a clear marine influence, which is contrary to what has normally been reported.