Gallium Abundance and Isotope Geochemistry in Coal and Mudstone from the Huainan-Huaibei Coalfield: Implications for Geological Processes and Resource Utilization

Ga) between coal and mudstone, with coal samples averaging -1.32‰ and mudstone samples averaging -1.41‰. These differences may be related to the adsorption and bonding modes of organic matter, mineral composition, and diagenetic history. Further analysis revealed a certain correlation between the H/C ratio, an important indicator of coal metamorphism, and Ga content as well as its isotopic composition, reflecting the influence of metamorphism on the geochemical behavior of Ga. This study enhances our understanding of the geochemical behavior of Ga and provides a new tool for tracing regional geological events. Ga isotopes can reflect information on various geological processes, aiding in the understanding of sedimentary basin evolution and other aspects. This research holds significant implications for the development and utilization of Ga resources and geological studies.