26 Geochemistry Geology (Posters)

Sunday, 31 October 2010
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall D

COMBINING X-RAY DIFFRACTION (XRD) AND X-RAY FLUORESCENCE (XRF) DATA TO ELUCIDATE THE ELEMENTAL AND COMPOSITIONAL STRUCTURE OF MINERALS FOR PHASE IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL FORMULATION

Paper number: 26-23
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Wave length dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are powerful analytical tools used in geochemistry to identify and quantify rock and mineral types.

Four different rock and mineral types - Amphibole, Marble, Augite and Shale are analyzed by WDXRF and XRD using Whole Rock Analysis Methods and Rietveld processing methodologies. The data from both sources is then combined to show the best match characterization techniques for phase identification and phase quantification.

The whole rock analysis is carried out using the vendor supplied application package, Mineral-Pak and the phase quantification is carried out using Rietveld XRD software.

The results show the power of applying the whole rock analysis data to the XRD phase quantification data for validation.