SALINE COALS OF THE UKRAINE

Abstract

An original concept of salinization of coals at the peat bog generation stage is substantiated on the basis of on new data. The distribution of saline coals within coal and hydrocarbon basins has been revealed to be wider than it was previously assumed. The degree of salt enrichment of organic matter in coal is related to paleogeographic formation conditions of peat bogs that facilitated the penetration of sea waters (under conditions of paralic basins) or NaCl-rich solutions (related to wash-out of halogenic formations) into the coals. The initial salinization degree does not remain constant, because it is intimately related to superimposed processes leading to the desalinization of coals. The desalinization is controlled by the degree of coalification and realized under favorable tectonic and hydrogeological conditions. The paper presents a review of the current state of the elaboration of techniques for saline coal utilization that must meet requirements of economic and multipurpose utilization of raw material and environment protection.