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Electron-microprobe analysis of geological carbonates

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1994
<mark>Journal</mark>American Mineralogist
Issue number7-8
Volume79
Number of pages5
Pages (from-to)745-749
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) of geological materials is often carried out assuming stoichiometry for one unanalyzed element to calculate matrix correction (ZAF) factors. Stoichiometric ZAF routines for multielement groups such as carbonate (CO32-) are not commonly available. Consequently, carbonates are commonly analyzed by means of the O stoichiometry techniques applied to silicate and oxide minerals. Using real and simulated analytical data, we show that errors of up to 20% occur if ZAF corrections are made with the assumption of metal valence and stoichiometric O. Two techniques that allow the input of complete compositional data from CO32- analyses to ZAF factor calculations and that give accurate results are discussed. First, a new technique uses carbonate standards with compositions represented by the metal oxide MO4. The results are then recalculated as metal carbonate. The second method assigns incorrect valences to the elements, C is assumed to be stoichiometric, and O is analyzed directly. We show that an analytical total of 100% +/- square-root N, where square-root N represents errors due to X-ray generation statistics, provides a powerful indication of analysis quality. The use of normalized and difference analysis methods, which necessarily assume totals of 100%, are to be avoided for this reason.