Mineral Chemical Analysis
Mineral chemical analysis is a branch of the physical sciences which deals with the determination of the chemical composition of various minerals. It provides the knowledge to understand how various components of minerals can interact with and affect each other, and the environment. Mineral chemical analysis is an important component of many aspects of exploration and production of mineral deposits, such as the analysis of cores and cuttings to determine ore grade and quality.
Various mineral chemical analysis techniques can be used. Physical separations of the minerals and chemical determinations of their component parts are the most common techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectrometry are other methods used in mineralogic analysis. These techniques, considered together, give a complete understanding of the mineralogy and chemistry of a certain group of minerals. Mineral chemical analysis helps in the understanding of the history, age and composition of a mineral deposit.
The utilization of mineral chemical analysis involves the quantitative and qualitative identification of important components of minerals, including elements, minerals and isotopes. An important element in this is the determination of the amount of mineral grains and accessory minerals in the rock or core (grain size and milling analysis). Mineral chemical analysis also helps to identify minor elements or trace elements which may be required to determine the mineral origin or formation. Additionally, it can help in the interpretation of water chemistry in the surrounding rock, which may help to determine the processes responsible for alteration and mineralization of the rocks.
The most commonly used mineral chemical analysis procedure is energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). This procedure helps to identify the elements present, as well as their relative abundance. EDXRF is considered to be an efficient and cost-effective, in-situ analysis technique, which is suitable for both exploration and production needs. It provides detailed information about the chemical composition of the minerals and the potential presence of impurities. EDXRF can also identify isotopic ratios of important isotopes like uranium, lead, carbon and nitrogen, which can be used for age determination or further investigations into the origin of the minerals.
Apart from EDXRF, other techniques used in mineral chemical analysis are spectrography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Spectrography provides an energy spectrum of the elements present in a sample, which can be used to identify and determine the relative concentrations of various elements. With SEM, electron images can be obtained to allow identification of individual mineral grains within the sample. SEM can also be used to detect various kinds of deformation caused by metamorphic processes.
In conclusion, mineral chemical analysis provides valuable information regarding the composition of minerals, which can be used to determine the origin and properties of rocks and soils. It is also an important technique for exploring and extracting ore deposits, identifying sources of fuels and materials, as well as assessing environmental impacts associated with mineral extraction. With the ever-growing need for mineral resources, mineral chemical analysis continues to be an important field of research.
