Analysis of hydrothermally-treated and weathered coals by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was carried out, and the XPS C(1s) and N(1s) spectra obtained were curve-resolved into four peaks (C-C/C=C/C-H, C-O, C=O, and O-C=O) and three peaks (pyridinic-N. pyrrolic-N, and quaternary-N), respectively. Upon hydrothermal treatment, the amount of carbon-oxygen forms decreased; while the ratio of pyridinic-N increased and quaternary-N decreased. On the other hand, some bituminous coals were subjected to natural weathering and laboratory oxidation, which gave opposite results compared to the hydrothermal treatment. The changes in the carbon-oxygen and organic nitrogen forms were discussed in terms of the effect of hydrothermal treatment and weathering (oxidation). Also, the XPS analysis of various kinds of coals (43 SS coals) was carried out, and the amounts of carbon-oxygen and organic nitrogen forms were discussed in terms of coal rank (carbon content). (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.