INFLUENCE OF RADIATION ON THE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF NATURAL SOLID BITUMENS

Abstract

Knowledge of the structure of natural solid hydrocarbons subjected to radiation impact is of significant fundamental and practical interest. Coals are best studied in this respect. They frequently include minerals with radioactive elements (Th and U). Results of study show that organic matter is substantially less enriched in carbon at a distance exceeding the range of α-particle path than in the immediate proximity to the radioactive grain, where the organic matter is coalified to semianthracite.