SELENIUM GEOCHEMISTRY OF COAL: AN ECOLOGICAL ASPECT

Abstract

Gaseous selenium compounds emitted into the atmosphere with the flue gases of power stations are an ecologic threat. The current classification of chemical elements categorizes selenium as a Class 1 hazard. This study deals with the geochemical laws of selenium distribution between coal components. The selenium contribution to the gaseous and aerosol phases during fuel combustion at coal-fired stations is estimated. Estimates of hazardous selenium concentrations are given for coals from some basins of the Russian Federation.