ABSTRACT
Research on the microbiology of hard coal and the idea of its utilization as a substrate for microorganisms is not new. In view of the increasing importance of hard coal as a raw material and energy source, it also seems helpful when developing new coal-processing technology to consider the eventual use of microorganisms in the degradation of hard coal. Hard coal is largely insoluble in water and organic solvents. The lack of porosity in hard coal presents an obstacle to the penetration of microorganisms, so that the outer surface is almost the only area available for attack. The pores of hard coal are too small to allow access to bacteria. The hard coal matrix is susceptible to enzymatic action if these areas can be made sterically accessible to microorganisms or enzymes. Taking into consideration the mineral composition of hard coal, a nutrient solution was developed for the microorganisms.
