X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Overview & Synopsis

Naturally occuring minerals contain many elements at low concentration. This makes it difficult to interpret the natural solid solutions, as it must be ascertained whether or not these elements are contained in the mineral lattice. Intracrystalline element distribution (intersite distribution, homogeneity of their distribution) may be studied by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). Low temperature minerals (hydroxides, silicates, clay minerals) represent interesting materials on account of their finely divided character, of their intimate mixing with other phases and of the importance of the adsorption phenomena. XAS allows to understand better the alteration processes which are at their origin.