Laser ablation ICP-MS has been used to produce element profiles from polished coal samples. The elements analysed (V, Ge, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr and Ba) were those known to have an organic association, with the addition of Al and Fe as controls on the clay and pyrite abundances. The element profiles were compared with the petrography and a statistical analysis was also carried out. Sporinite was found to have low trace element concentrations, inertinite higher concentrations of detrital elements and vitrinite higher concentrations of V, Ge and Al. The relationships between these elements are explored and all are thought to be present in the organic matter and not as minerals. It is thought that these elements became concentrated during diagenesis, with the possibility that some of the Al could be residual. The Cu/Ni ratio in the pyrite is relatively constant, suggesting constant ionic proportions during diagenesis, and possibly a seawater source. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.