Hot stuff. (Letters).In regard to natural muses of coal fires ("The Fires Below," SN: 5/10/03,p. 298), another cause not mentioned in the article involves the oxidation of pyrite, an iron sulfide that commonly occurs in coal beds. When oxygenated groundwater percolates through fractures in the coal, the sulfide in pyrite will be oxidized oxidized having been modified by the process of oxidation. oxidized cellulose see absorbable cellulose. to sulfate. This reaction is exothermic exothermic /exo·ther·mic/ (-ther´mik) marked or accompanied by evolution of heat; liberating heat or energy. ex·o·ther·mic or ex·o·ther·mal adj. 1. and may produce enough heat to spontaneously ignite the coal. BRUCE BARTLESON, GUNNISON, COLO Colo Colorado (old style state abbreviation) COLO Columbus, Ohio COLO Co-Location COLO Colonial National Historic Park (US National Park Service) COLO Cost Of Living Option . |
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