We have collected samples to measure export of organic matter in streams draining mountaintop/valleyfill coal mines. We typically ash organic matter samples at 550 C for at least 2 hrs, however coal fines also combust at this temperature & duration. We would like to quantify coal fines from fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) separately using the weight loss on ignition (WLOI) method at separate combustion temperatures (and durations)- a two stage process.
Does anyone have any suggestions for temperature and duration for combusting FPOM but not coal fines? Or an easy way to separate coal from FPOM without compromising FPOM estimates? thanks,
