No.AR13067779 “Study of mineralogical-geochemical features of deposits of the Karaganda coal basin in order to identify products of explosive volcanism in coals”: project manager Kopobaeva A.N.
The relevance of this work lies in the need to assess the influence of volcanogenic pyroclastic material on the formation of the geochemical background of rare elements in coal for their use as marker zones in the correlation and identification of coal seams and a more detailed study of the conditions of their origin.
The aim of the project is to study the mineralogical-geochemical features of pyroclastics in carboniferous coals and to evaluate the effect of pyroclastics on the content of rare metals as a source of rare metals.
Expected and achieved results:
Research was conducted on the project, which includes a comprehensive geochemical and mineralogical study of coals and clay layers. There were conducted the field studies, during which the section of coal-bearing deposits was studied in order to search and sample clay and tuff layers. Testing of coal seams and clay interlayers was carried out with differentiated sampling at the Karaganda coal basin at the mine faces – Saranskaya, Kuzembayev, Aktasskaya (Fig.1), the length of the sampling interval was selected depending on the thickness and complexity of the formation structure, and varied on average from 10 m to 200 m. The selected 300 samples of coals and host rocks of the Karaganda basin underwent sample preparation, laboratory and analytical studies in accredited, leading laboratories specialized in coal research, namely: 1) determination of the elemental composition of samples of clay layers and coals was carried out by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma and mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES and ICP-MS); 2) the distribution of minerals, shapes, morphological features of coal and clay layers were studied using analytical scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) at the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science of the Far Eastern Geological Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEGI FEB RAS).
 Figure 1 – Sampling sites of coal and clay layers in the Karaganda coal basin |
During the implementation of the project stages for 2022-2023 (through June), the following scientific results were obtained:
– according to the obtained results of the analysis by the ICP-MS method, it was found that the average contents of impurity elements in samples taken at three mines of the Karaganda coal basin have predominantly near-clark values, only some elements (Li, Ba, Sc, Zr, V, Cu, Se, Y, Ag) in coals have average contents above clark on the stratum k7;
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| – as a result of the application of a highly local method of analytical scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), the morphometry of solid-phase components in the provided samples was characterized and the contents of chemical elements were determined in them, an automated search for mineral phases with specified characteristics was also carried out using AZtecFeature software modules, including electronic documentation of images (snapshots) in various modes under a scanning electron microscope and obtaining dispersion spectra of the composition using an X-ray spectrometer. As a result of the SEM-EDS, gold and silver particles were detected (Fig. 2); |  |
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| Figure 2 – Results of SEM-EDS | ||
| – locally elevated concentrations of Ba, Sr, U, Sm, As, Sb, Fe, Br, La, Ce, Th, Cr, Hf, Cs, Co, Sc were found in the coals of the Karaganda coal basin compared to the coal clark, which is due to the recharge area of the coal accumulation basin characterized by a wide range of volcanic (dacitic, diabase, diorite porphyry, quartz porphyry, quartz albitophyry, trachyte porphyry) and intrusive rocks (granodiorites, granosienites, synenite porphyry, granite porphyry) of Devonian age composing the Central Kazakhstan (Devonian) volcano-plutonic complex (VPC) (Fig.3). | ||
 Figure 3 – Geochemical specialization of coals of the Karaganda coal basin. |
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| In the course of the Project, 2 articles were prepared and sent to the journals included in the CQAFSHE database, 2 security documents (SIS) were received. | ||
| Figure 4 – The project manager Kopobaeva A.N. with the heads of advanced laboratories of the Institute of Geology named after K.I. Satpaev – Doctor of Geological-Mineralogical Sciences, Professor, corresponding member of the NAS RK, academician of MRA and MRA RK Seitmuratova E.Yu. and Doctor of Geological-Mineralogical Sciences, corresponding member of KazNANS Bekenova G.K.
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Research group
1 Kopobaeva Aiman Nygmetovna – project manager, PhD, acting associate Professor of the G7MED Department.
Scopus Author ID: 57208583785,
ResearcherID: X-7308-2018,
ORCID: 0000-0002-0601-9365. (Participates in the selection and justification of the rational direction of research, analysis and interpretation of geochemical data, evaluation of petrochemical materials, geological data).
2 Amangeldikyzy Altynai – Responsible Executive, PhD, senior teacher of G&MED Department.
Scopus Author ID: 57208573495,
Researcher ID: E-4878-2018,
ORCID: 0000-0002-6665-8804. (functions performed: organization and conduct of laboratory, microscopic studies, data analysis, preparation of publications based on research results. Participation is expected for the entire duration of the project).
3 Soktoyev Bulat Rinchinovich – performer, foreign scientist, Ph.D., associate professor of ТК TPU.
Scopus Author ID: – 56646525800,
Researcher ID: AAG-6805-2020,
ORCID: 0000-0002-4102-4282. (Functions performed: preparation of publications on the results of the project, analysis and processing of the results of analytical studies, interpretation of geochemical data).
4 Askarova Nazym Srazhadinkyzy – performer, PhD, teacher of the G&MED Department.
Scopus Author ID: 57208580562,
ORCID: 0000-0002-2103-6198,
Researcher ID: X-7261-2018. (Functions performed: Computer work on the compilation of geological and tectonic maps and data analysis, preparation of publications on the results of the project. Participation is expected for the entire duration of the project).
5 Blyalova Gulim Galymzhanovna – performer, Master of Engineering, doctoral student of GRD – 21 group of G&MED Department.
Scopus Author ID: 57431098000,
Researcher ID: GVV-7603-2022,
ORCID: 0000-0001-8801-8683 (Functions performed: compilation of geological maps, sections; computer work; data collection and interpretation; preparation of publications on the research topic. Participation is expected for the entire duration of the project).
6 Zhumagulov Sanabi Yermekuly – performer, master’s student of GRM-22-2 group of the G&MED Department. (Functions performed: processing of mineralogical, geochemical data, preparation of publications on the results of the project, Participation is expected for the entire duration of the project).
7 Bakyt Aigerim (02.03.1998) – performer, master’s student.
Research ID: ABF-3573-2021,
ORCID: 0000-0003-0661-310X. (Functions performed: computer processing of geochemical data, construction of petrochemical modules and their interpretation. Participation is expected for the entire duration of the project).
8 Kaztaev Ermurat Muratovich – performer, master’s student.
Researcher ID: AEZ-7901-2022,
ORCID: 0000-0002-9725-270. (Functions performed: construction of graphs and diagrams, mathematical calculations, compilation of geological maps, sections; computer work. Participation is expected for the entire duration of the project).