A coal-sulfur model for Sydney Coalfield (Upper Carboniferous), Nova Scotia, Canada

Methods of modern factor analysis are applied to a set of 31 variables (metals, sulfur and ash) of coal data, with focus on explaining the sulfur variance in coal for the formulation of a coal-sulfur model. The derived five hypothetical factors which are fitted lo the conceptual coal-sulfur model are inferred to represent general sedimentary/ geochemical processes, except for one for which there is no available identity and no corresponding process in the conceptual model. The fluvial sedimentary influx and the pyrite-forming factors are the most influential in explaining the variation of sulfur in the coal, where the latter factors are linked with sulfur supplied from recycled sulfate solution. The factor interpretation is consistent with independent results that identify clay minerals and pyrite as the dominating coal mineralogy in the Sydney Coalfield. RESUME Des donnees relatives au charbon et reparties selon un ensemble de 31 variables (metaux, soufre et cendres) furent soumises a diverses methodes modernes d'analyse factorielle, et ce, dans l'optique d'expliquer la variance du soufre au sein du charbon en vue de la formulation d'un modele mettant en relation le charbon et le soufre. Les cinq facteurs hypothetiques qui en sont derives et qui sont integres a ce modele conceptuel, semblent traduire l’influence de processus sedimentaires ou geochimiqucs communs, a l'exception d'un seul pour lequel il n'existe ni identite disponible, ni processus correspondant a l'interieur du modele conceptuel. L'apport sedimentaire fluvial et les facteurs contribuant a la formation de pyrite se revelent preponderants pour expliquer la presence de soufre au sein du charbon, ou ces facteurs sont relief au soufre provenant du recyclage des sulfates en solution. Cette interpretation est en accord avec des resultats independants qui identifient la pyrite et des argiles comme les mineraux principaux au sein du charbon provenant du bassin houillier de Sydney. [Traduit par le journal]

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