Happy he who could learn the causes of things (Virgil, Georgics 11)
There is clearly a place for a book on the environmental aspects of
trace elements in coal, especially with the increasing use of coal for
power production. Our aim is to provide relevant background information
and to update the situation regarding trace elements during
beneficiation, combustion, .atmospheric deposition, leaching from wastes
anti reclamation. The outcome is a balanced account of the overall
situation. The initial chapter gives the rationale behind the planning
of the book and puts the topics into the context of trace elements in
the environment, while the final chapter summarises the subject matter
and conclusions of each chapter. The choice of authors was based on
their specialised knowledge. Although every effort has been made to
ensure uniformity in layout, use of units, references and the like,
authors have been given some latitude in expression and their styles
have not been curbed. This book is intended primarily for coal
scientists and technologists involved in environmental aspects of trace
elements during the mining of coal, its beneficiation and usage,
especially for power generation, and for regulatory bodies. It is
considered to be suitable for relevant postgraduate courses. Just as it
has been said that one of Bruckner's symphonies has enough melodies for
a Beethoven to have written ten symphonies, so this book has several
chapters that could be themes for other books.
