Assessment of Environmental Risk from Coal Using Neutron Activation Analysis

This study aimed to determine element concentration in coal samples and to assess Co, Cr, Se, Th and U leaching from coals exposed to a simulated coal cleaning process. Coal samples taken from a local area of Turkey were grounded and exposed to water for one month period. Then the cleaned samples were filtered and dried. The elemental concentrations in the samples before and after the cleaning procedure were determined by relative neutron activation analysis (NAA). Raw and water cleaned coal samples were irradiated in central irradiation tube of TRIGA MARK II Research Reactor at 250 kW for 6 h and measured for their activities by using high resolution gamma spectroscopy system. The results showed that leaching percentage for Se is up to 100% and for Co, Cr, Th and U up to 71%, 17%, 30%, 28% respectively.