Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
A
B
Figure 7.1.1. Crystals from a burning coal-waste pile in Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania: (A) downeyite (SeO
2
),
Finkelman and Mrose (1977) and (B) realgar (AsS), Lapham et al. (1980) pp 31
-
32.
Figure 7.1.2. Dental fluorosis in Guizhou Province, China, caused by burning coal briquettes enriched in fluorine
Finkelman et al., 1999.
Figure 7.1.3. Arsenosis (hyperkeratosis) in Ghizhou Province, China, caused by burning coal enriched in arsenic
Finkelman et al., 1999.
Coal fires are an undesired but ubiquitous consequence of coal exposed to air at or near the earth
s surface. These
fires start by numerous processes including spontaneous combustion, lightning strikes, forest fires, arson, and
mining accidents (Stracher and Taylor, 2004). Although coal is exposed at the surface due to tectonic uplift and
erosion, the amount of coal exposed to air has increased dramatically since the industrial revolution in Europe
'
