Spectroscopic characterization of the postsedimentary alterations of Ostrava-Karvina coals

Spectroscopic methods provide useful information about the compositional changes of coal caused by in situ alteration in the coal seam. In Czechoslovakia, altered coals result from postsedimentary oxidation or thermal degradation of coal organic matter. Spectroscopic methods (FTIR, EPR, {sup 13}C CP/MAS NMR) have been used to determine the degree of alteration of coals from the Ostrava-Karvina basin. Useful parameters were found that included the contents of the aliphatic and aromatic C-H bonds, carbonyl groups, and the aromaticity of coals and EPR line width. Spectroscopic parameters were correlated with the spontaneous combustion characteristics of coals.