Analytical, experimental and computational methods in environmental mineralogy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The analytical, experimental and computational methods now used in environmental mineralogy are introduced and illustrated with selected examples. Following a note on the importance of the radiation sources used for diffraction and spectroscopic studies, and a brief reminder of the key role still played by routine methods of mineral characterization (optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction [XRD], electron microbeam methods), more specialist techniques for the characterization of bulk solids (including nanoparticles) are considered. These include synchrotron-based advanced XRD and X-ray scattering methods, X-ray absorption spectroscopies, X-ray microprobe techniques, and infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Also considered are transmission electron microscopy, nuclear and magnetic spectroscopies, and particle induced X-ray emission. Following this, attention is focused on the characterization of mineral surfaces and interfaces using low-energy electron diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, X-ray absorption and X-ray standing wave methods, X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies, secondary ion mass spectrometry, environmental scanning electron microscopy, scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopies and laser confocal microscopy. Computer modelling of solids, surfaces and solution species is discussed briefly before experimental approaches to determining reaction kinetics are considered, followed by experimental studies of the phenomena of adsorption, of evolution of the mineral surface during processes such as silicate weathering, and of how combinations of methods can be used to study the geochemical cycling of arsenic, olivine breakdown, or the comparative reactivities of silicate, carbonate, sulfide and oxide minerals.Environmental mineralogy necessarily begins with the characterization of minerals and associated phases in the key environmental systems. Such characterization involves the identification of minerals, and determination of quantities of the phases, together with compositional and textural information. It may extend to more detailed studies of, for example, very small (‘nano-’) particles, microtextures, or mineral surface chemistry. Beyond such studies of the natural materials, whether ‘pristine’ or ‘contaminated’ through some human activity, it is possible to undertake experiments in the laboratory using minerals or synthetic analogues in order to elucidate some processes of environmental importance. In many low-temperature systems, the minerals occur as both important reactants and as reaction products.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnvironmental Mineralogy II
Subtitle of host publicationUniversity Textbook
EditorsD. J. Vaughan, R. A. Wogelius
Place of PublicationTwickenham
PublisherEuropean Mineralogical Union and Mineralogical Society of Great Britain & Ireland
Pages5-102
Number of pages98
ISBN (Electronic)9780903056403
ISBN (Print)9780903056328
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

Publication series

NameEuropean Mineralogical Union Notes in Mineralogy
PublisherEuropean Mineralogical Union
Volume13
ISSN (Print)1417-2917

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