Geological Society of America 2007 Annual Meeting
Oct. 28-31, Denver, Colorado
2007 Annual business meeting
The 2007 CGD annual business meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 29, 5:30-6:30 pm, Room 502, Colorado Convention Center, Denver. Your division officers hope to see you there!
Coal Topical Sessions
T5. Materials Flow in Coal UtilizationGSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Geology and Society DivisionAllan Kolker, James C. Hower, Ronald H. Affolter http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_19360.htm
- This session tracks the disposition of materials from “cradle to grave” during coal utilization for electric power generation. Relevant topics include coal quality, utility emissions, fate of coal combustion products, and related environmental issues. Oral.
- Coal Geology; Environmental Geoscience; Public Policy
T6. Microbial Origin of Hydrocarbon Gases in Coal Beds and Sedimentary BasinsGSA Energy Geology DivisionDonald Klein, Kevin W. Mandernack, Romeo M. Flores http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_19573.htm
Recent contributions from biogeochemistry, sedimentary geology, isotope geochemistry, and molecular biology will be discussed, in relation to better understanding biogenic gas formation in subbituminous coal beds in the Powder River Basin and other sedimentary basins. Oral.
Coal Geology; Geomicrobiology; Hydrogeology
T71. Modern and Ancient Fire Systems: Implications for Geomorphology, Sedimentology, Coal Geology and PaleontologyGSA Engineering Geology Division; GSA Coal Geology Division; Paleontological SocietyAndrew C. Scott, Susan Cannon, Ian J. Glasspool http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_19573.htm
Widespread occurrence of charcoal contributes to our understanding of ancient fire systems and also impacts on coal quality. This session highlights current understanding of modern and ancient fire systems and its relevance to earth science. Oral.
Engineering Geology; Coal Geology; Paleontology, Paleoecology/Taphonomy
Poster session
Coal Geology (Posters). Colorado Convention Center Exhibit Hall E/F
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/session_20136.htm
Note: There is no general coal geology oral session this year
Coal field trips at the annual meeting
403. Cornucopia of Coal and Coalbed Gas in the Powder River Basin: From Mining and Utilization to Methane and MethanogensCosponsored by GSA Energy Geology Division; GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division; GSA Hydrology DivisionThurs.–Fri., 25–26 Oct. http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ft_pre.htm
Romeo M. Flores, USGS-Denver +1-303-236-7774, rflores@usgs.gov; Jason D. Putnam; Margaret S. Ellis; Michael E. Brownfield; Edward L. Heffern; Gary D. Stricker. The Powder River Basin (PRB) in Wyoming and Montana contains abundant, thick subbituminous coals of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation. The coals are surface mined and developed for coalbed methane (CBM). PRB mines make up 35% of the total U.S. coal production, forecast to be 40% by 2030, and supplies fuel to 144 power plants nationwide. The total cumulative gas production from 19,000 CBM wells, projected to be 50,000 wells by 2020, is 2.2 trillion ft3 (since 1987). This two-day field trip to the PRB highlights exploration, development, distribution, and utilization of this cornucopia of fuel energy. Day one includes tours at the Wyodak coal mine and nearby 330 megawatt Wyodak power plant in east Gillette. Mining in the 100-ft-thick Wyodak coal bed has supplied feed coal to the power plant since 1978. Study of the feed coal provides data useful for characterizing the physical and chemical properties of the combustion products. These data make it possible to predict fly ash properties and modes of occurrence of selected trace elements in the ash. Day two includes tours at CBM facilities. Drilling operations, completed wells, gas compression, and surface water disposal complexes are examined to gain insight about CBM exploration, development, and gas acquisition in the PRB. The CBM production from 6 to10 coal beds at 200- to 2500-ft depths is >2,000,000 ft3 per day. A study of the microbial origin of the coalbed gas revealed by methanogens of coproduced water and coal reservoirs is also discussed.
Min: 10; max: 25. Cost US$290 (1ON, L, D)
407. Coal Geology in the Mesaverde Group along the Eastern Edge of the Greater Green River Basin in Northwestern Colorado and South-Central Wyoming Cosponsored by GSA Coal Geology DivisionFri.–Sat., 26–27 Oct. http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ft_pre.htmNick Jones, Wyoming State Geological Survey, +1-307-766-2286 ext. 243, njones@uwyo.edu.
This trip begins in Denver and travels through northwestern Colorado and southwestern Wyoming. We will visit several coal mines (both surface and underground) and observe coal-stratigraphic variability in the Mesaverde Group from outcrops (coal blooms) along the eastern extent of the Greater Green River Basin. At stops during the trip, information regarding the geology will include stratigraphic nomenclature of the Mesaverde Group, depositional environments, peat forming systems, and the resultant coal resources. Other topics of discussion will include coal distribution, utilization, coal conversion technologies, and coalbed natural gas developments along the eastern edge of the Atlantic Rim.
Min: 5; max: 30. Cost US$205 (1ON, L, R)
417. Revisiting the South Cañon Number 1 Coal Mine Fire during a Geologic Excursion from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Colorado Cosponsored by GSA Energy Geology Division Sun., 28 Oct. http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ft_dur.htm Glenn B. Stracher, East Georgia College, +1-478-289-2073, stracher@ega.edu ; Nancy Lindsley-Griffin; Steven Renner; Janet Lynn Stracher, Jim Viellenave.
While en route from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Colorado we will discuss important geologic features observable from milepost markers along the way. Traveling west of Glenwood Springs to South Canyon, we will visit the locale where an underground coal-mine fire has been burning since 1910. While in the canyon, gas vents, ground fissures and subsidence, and forest fires associated with the South Cañon Number 1 Coal Mine fire will be examined and their origin and environmental significance discussed. Field-trip attendees are encouraged to participate in the following demonstrations: VaporTec passive soil gas sampling, mineral sampling at hot-gas vents, in situ gas analysis using Drager tubes, and gas collection techniques for complete coal-fire gas analysis. The trip involves hiking, includes snacks and lunch, and culminates in a relaxing dip in Glenwood Spring's "Hot Springs Pool," before returning to Denver. Field-trip guides include specialists in structural and economic geology, mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, coal geology, and remote sensing.
Min: 12; max: 45. Cost US $75 (L, R)