'Coal' and 'China' to some extent have become synonymous. China is by far the largest user of coal in the world. In 2016, coal production in China amounted to 3.21 billion tons, about half of the total global coal production. Coal consumption accounts for more than 65% of primary energy consumption in China. The Chinese coal industry greatly contributes to the economic development in China, the second largest economy in the world. However, periodically, ubiquitous images of smog blanketing major Chinese cities are viewed all over the world. Coal combustion is one of the important contributors to smog, which is considered to be a major environmental and human health problem for China and other countries. News stories also highlight the periodic coal mine disasters that kill hundreds of Chinese coal miners annually. The need to address these and other human health, environmental, and mine safety issues and to maximize resource recovery and use justifies a vigorous coal research effort. This book brings together experts on almost every aspect of coal geology, coal production, composition and use of the coal and its by-products, and coal's environmental and human health impacts. The chapters in this book were originally published in a special issue of the International Geology Review.

Inorganic Geochemistry of Coal explains how to determine the concentrations and modes of occurrence of elements in coal, how to diminish adverse effects of toxic elements on the environment and human health, which elements in coal could be industrially utilized, and which elements can be successfully used as indications for deciphering depositional environments and tectonic evolution. As coal use will remain at an all-time high for the next several decades, there is a critical need for understanding the properties of this fuel to ensure efficient use, encourage its economic by-product potential, and to help minimize its negative technological, environmental and health impacts.

'Coal' and 'China' to some extent have become synonymous. China is by far the largest user of coal in the world. In 2016, coal production in China amounted to 3.21 billion tons, about half of the total global coal production. Coal consumption accounts for more than 65% of primary energy consumption in China. The Chinese coal industry greatly contributes to the economic development in China, the second largest economy in the world. However, periodically, ubiquitous images of smog blanketing major Chinese cities are viewed all over the world. Coal combustion is one of the important contributors to smog, which is considered to be a major environmental and human health problem for China and other countries. News stories also highlight the periodic coal mine disasters that kill hundreds of Chinese coal miners annually. The need to address these and other human health, environmental, and mine safety issues and to maximize resource recovery and use justifies a vigorous coal research effort. This book brings together experts on almost every aspect of coal geology, coal production, composition and use of the coal and its by-products, and coal's environmental and human health impacts. The chapters in this book were originally published in a special issue of the International Geology Review.

The objective of the 6th ISMIBM is to foster exchange of opinions between professionals and specialists working on analysis, research and applications of metal ions, trace elements and minerals in biological, biochemical, medical sciences, toxicology and environmental health. The scientific program, composed of plenary and concurrent sessions, and poster presentations is designed to promote intensive and productive dialogue among experts in these fields. A special program with short courses and mini-symposia have also been organised, featuring specialised areas including toxicology, analysis, pathology, remediation strategies, and environmental medicine.Original contributions (oral and/or poster presentations) are invited on the following themes: Metals and Environmental Health; Molecular Toxicology of Metals; Carcinogenicity of Metals; Speciation of Metals and Other Elements; Uses of Metals in Clinical Applications; Metals and Disease, Environmental and Toxicologic Pathology; Epidemiology and Occupational Health; Metals and Aging; Metals and Homeostasis; Effects of Low and High Nutritional Trace Element Status; Metals and Hormone Actions; Metals and Enzyme Activity; Metals and Chelation Therapy; Health Effects of Arsenic; Risk Assessment of Trace Element Status and Health; and, Advanced Methods for the Analysis of Trace Elements and Metal Ions.