Several important aspects are described in this paper. The occurrences of trace elements (TEs) in coal are introduced. Four main groups of trace element content level, say, >50, 10-50, 1-10 and <1 ppm, can be drawn. Trace elements partitioning in emission streams; enrichment in submicron particles; vaporization and emission in flue gas; and the mobility and leaching behavior of trace elements in coal and combustion waste are summarized. The mechanisms of trace element transformation during combustion are illustrated as following: the vaporized metals at high temperature near the combustion flame will subsequently nucleate or condense at a lower temperature downstream. These metals form a suspended aerosol along with particles. The conversion of vaporized components into various solid and/or liquid forms is the key factor influencing the final trace elements' transformation/partitioning behavior. Finally, current trace element emission control technologies are briefly introduced. To control trace elements in particle phase, electrostatic precipitators and fabric filters are mainly used. To control trace elements in vapor phase, spray dryer absorbers, wet scrubbers, condensing wet scrubbers, wet scrubbers and solid sorbent injection should mainly be used. Research needs are identified and potentially promising research topics on trace elements emission are proposed as following: (1) trace element speciation and enrichment in coal and coal ash. (2) Trace elements partitioning in combustion process. (3) Mechanisms of transformation and control technologies for easily vaporized TEs during combustion. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.