| Summary: | The objective of the work was testing the suitability of X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDS-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) for qualitative assessment of mercury present in coals and furnace wastes (slag, ash). Such information is essential e.g. for determination of the potential effects of waste coal dumps on the environment (mercury compound emissions through leaching and erosion to water and soil). No minerals of mercury, i.e. containing mercury as a necessary and substantial component were identified with the application of the above mentioned techniques in studied hard coal and fly ash samples provided by a heat and power plant. In hard coal, mercury was detected as an impurity only in the alumina silicates. EDS spectra of pure coal grains did not show the emission lines of mercury. In fly ash, the minerals of mercury were also not detected; mercury was present in an amorphous component (mineral glass) and probably as an impurity in hauyne Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4). Keywords: Mercury, Hard coal, Fly ash, XRD, SEM/EDS
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