Origin of hydrogen sulfide in coal seams in China

In recent years, coal mines in China have seen accidents caused by sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), with higher severity. Based on recent local and overseas research on the origin of hydrogen sulfide and the comparative analysis of isotopes, the paper presents three formation models of hydrogen sulfide: bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR), thermo-chemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and igneous activity, as well as the characteristics for identification. This paper analyzes and categorizes the formation models of some hydrogen sulfide in coal seams in China. Some suggestions were put forward for future research of H2S in coal mines in China.

► Coal mines have seen accidents caused by sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
► The abnormal H2S gathering mainly results from BSR, TSR and igneous activity.
► The formation models of hydrogen sulfide in coal seams are analyzed and categorized.