Geoscience

Both X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are frequently used for the analysis of rock, sediment, and other earth material samples. Geoscientists in the field use portable equipment to get real-time material chemistry (XRF) and mineralogy (XRD) of geological samples as well as microscopes for traditional optical mineralogy and petrology.

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Using X‐ray Fluorescence to Examine Ancient Maya Granite Ground Stone in Belize

Discover a portable XRF technique for on-site whole rock analysis, matching lab XRF accuracy. Applied to Maya sites in Belize, it assesses granite ground stone with reliability.

Abstract

Mid- to Late Holocene landscape dynamics and rural settlement in the uplands of northern Bavaria, Germany

Interdisciplinary research in northern Bavaria reveals prehistoric settlements, soil erosion, and woodland composition through archaeological, geoarchaeological, and dating methods, highlighting Bronze Age settlement peaks and later resurgence into the Medieval period.

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Geochemical Clues to Ancient Chinese Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management

Non-invasive analysis of Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Terracotta Army statues revealed clay paste differences. This sheds light on production, logistics, and the two workshops behind this Qin Empire project in the third century BCE.

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Unlocking Ancient Secrets: Geochemical Study Reveals Ceramic Production Techniques in Iran's Kur River Basin

The integration of portable XRF and thin-section petrography facilitated the reconstruction of manufacturing technology and the primary material origins for pottery samples dating to the mid to late second millennium BCE.

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eBook 19: The Power of Geoarchaeology in Understanding Our World: Unveiling the Past

This eBook explores the field of geoarchaeology, which uses techniques like X-ray fluorescence and microscopy to study ancient artifacts. It delves into how these methods help uncover the secrets of past societies and offers insights into the lives and societies that produced them.

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A Journey through Time with Vanta Portable XRF Analyzers

Dive into the realms of archaeology and environmental science as Tatiana Romanis and her team utilize Vanta portable XRF analyzers to unveil the profound impact of ancient human civilizations on landscape development and environmental conditions in central Russia. Discover the unexpected findings, technological challenges, and the promising future of nondestructive research methods.

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Revolutionizing Archaeology with Portable XRF Technology

Explore the interview with Dr. Roger Doonan, Head of Specialist Services at Archaeological Research Services Ltd, as he reveals the groundbreaking impact of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology on archaeological excavations, innovation, and environmental sustainability.

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Decoration for the Dead: Using XRF to Test Pigment Color on Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagi

A team of scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the University of Denver conducted advanced tests on two wooden sarcophagi and mummified remains discovered in Egypt. Led by Drs. Bonnie Clark and Keith Miller, the team utilized X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to analyze the material chemistry of the pigments used in painting the sarcophagi and mummies.

Article

A Monumental Discovery: XRF Sheds Light on the Origins of Stonehenge

Through the ages, researchers and adventurers have pondered the elusive origins of these stones, with one consensus being that they did not originate from Salisbury Plain. However, recent advancements in technology and pioneering research have finally begun unraveling the centuries-old mystery surrounding their provenance.

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Evident Industrial Solutions

Are you looking for the latest information on emerging technologies and the latest trends in industry?

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Compendium 2: Geoscience | Corrosion | Particles | Additive Manufacturing: Metallurgy, Cut Analysis & Porosity

We are delighted to present to you our 2nd Advanced Optical Metrology compendium. This collection includes a searchable database of optical metrology papers, a repository of teaching materials, and instructions on how to publish scientific achievements.

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Evident InSight Blog

Insightful blogs on composites, corrosion, electronics, geoscience, instrumentation, particles, and more!

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eBook 8: Geoscience: The Unseen Beauty of Sand

In this eBook you can find images of fascinating sand grains collected from places around the world and examined with a digital microscope. Which one of the twelve astonishing sorts of grains is your favorite?

Method

Portable XRF and XRD for Geoscience: An Introduction

This introduction describes the advances in portable XRF and XRD, the implication of both methods for geoscience, and their application in soil and rock analysis.

Article Digest

Semiquantitative Evaluation of Secondary Carbonates via Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

This study used portable X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry to determine the Ca concentration of 75 soil samples to obtain semiquantitative information on the carbonate development stage. Portable XRF‐determined Ca content in both intact aggregates and ground soil samples increased steadily with the carbonate development stage (I–VI).

Article Digest

Impact of Sample Preparation Methods for Characterizing the Geochemistry of Soils and Sediments by Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence

The impact of three different sample preparation methods on bulk soil geochemistry data obtained from a portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer was examined.

Abstract

Non-Destructive or Noninvasive? The Potential Effect of X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometers on Luminescence Age Estimates of Archaeological Samples

The non-destructive nature of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers is a principal reason for an increase in their use in archaeological science over the last 15 years, especially for analyzing museum-curated artifacts and in situ site fabrics.

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Ceramic Production in the Kur River Basin (Fars, Iran) During the Middle to Late Second Millennium bce: A Geochemical and Technological Characterization

A total of 119 middle to late second millennium bce pottery samples from six sites in the Kur River Basin (Fars, Iran) were examined to characterize these ceramics and reconstruct their manufacturing technology and the origin of the primary materials.

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Elemental mapping of micromorphological block samples using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF): Integrating a geochemical line of evidence

Through an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis approach, it is demonstrated that portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) elemental mapping of resin-impregnated micromorphological block samples provides a complementary geoarchaeological approach for gathering valuable chemical information at the mesoscale.

Abstract

What Can We Learn From X-Ray Fluorescence Core Scanning Data? A Paleomonsoon Case Study

The interpretation of XRF-derived element ratios in paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic studies primarily considers differences in the relative abundances of particular elements. Here the new XRF core scanning data from two long sediment cores in the Andaman Sea in the northern Indian Ocean are presented.

Article Digest

Using EMI and pXRF to Characterize the Magnetic Properties and the Concentration of Metals in Soils Formed over Different Lithologies

Two sites located in the Northern Piedmont of Pennsylvania were examined using electromagnetic induction (EMI) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). One site is underlain by micaceous schist and serpentinite; the other site by micaceous schist only.

Abstract

Micro-Raman spectroscopy and complementary techniques (hXRF, VP-SEM-EDS, μ-FTIR and Py-GC/MS) applied to the study of beads from the Kongo Kingdom

The full characterization of the materials, including glassy network, opacifiers and colorizers, was achieved thanks to the combination of data from handheld X-ray fluorescence, variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

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Quantifying Heterogeneity of Small Test Portion Masses of Geological Reference Materials by Portable XRF Spectrometry: Implications for Uncertainty of Reference Values

There is an increasing use of analytical macro-beam techniques (such as portable XRF, PXRF) for geochemical measurements, as a result of their convenience and relatively low cost per measurement.

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Detection of Reduced Sulfur on Vera Rubin Ridge by Quadratic Discriminant Analysis of Volatiles Observed During Evolved Gas Analysis

The Mars Science Laboratory mission investigated Vera Rubin ridge, which bears spectral indications of elevated amounts of hematite and has been hypothesized as having a complex diagenetic history.

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Cyclostratigraphy and Magnetostratigraphy of the Middle Miocene Ashigong Formation, Guide Basin, China, and Its Implications for the Paleoclimatic Evolution of NE Tibet

This article describes the investigation of the sedimentary record of the Ashigong Formation, Guide Basin, in order to better constrain the Tibetan paleoenvironmental evolution and link it to uplift episodes and monsoonal evolution.

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Diagenetic Fate of Biogenic Soft and Hard Magnetite in Chemically Stratified Sedimentary Environments of Mamanguá Ría, Brazil

Understanding the processes that link magnetotactic bacteria to their living environments is fundamental to reconstructing past chemical variations in the water column and sediment, and for using the magnetic properties of biogenic magnetite as environmental proxy indicators.

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eBook 7: X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Analysis for Geoscience

In this eBook you can find recent articles on the use of portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in combination with other methods for the characterization of the geochemistry of soils and sediments.

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Synergistic Use of Vis-NIR, MIR, and XRF Spectroscopy for the Determination of Soil Geochemistry

This study investigated potential of visible-near infrared (vis-NIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy to characterize a full suite of soil geochemistry (40 elements), pH, and soil organic carbon in a diverse set of agricultural soils.

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Lithologic Discontinuity Assessment in Soils via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Visible Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy

Often, investigators must wait for laboratory data to help differentiate parent materials via physicochemical properties. This study used visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for establishing parent material differentia more quickly.

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Geoscience: Analytical Developments Since 2014

This GGR biennial critical review covers developments and innovations in key analytical methods relevant to the chemical, isotopic and crystallographic characterisation of geological and environmental materials.

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Agricultural Soils of the Animas River Watershed After the Gold King Mine Spill: An Elemental Spatiotemporal Analysis via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

In 2015, 11.3 million L of heavy metal–contaminated water spilled into the Animas River from the Gold King Mine (Colorado, USA). In response to local concerns, surface soil elemental concentrations were analyzed in three New Mexico agricultural fields to determine potential threats to agronomic production.

Abstract

Impact of Sample Preparation Methods for Characterizing the Geochemistry of Soils and Sediments by Portable X-ray Fluorescence

The impact of three different sample preparation methods on bulk soil geochemistry data obtained from a hand-held, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer was examined.

Abstract

Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Analysis of Soils

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is rapid, portable, and provides multi-elemental analysis with results generally comparable to traditional laboratory-based techniques.

Abstract

Data Fusion of Vis–NIR and pXRF Spectra to Predict Soil Physical and Chemical Properties

A front-end data fusion method was tested to combine visible near-infrared and portable X-ray fluorescence spectra for predicting different soil properties and investigated the contribution of different sensor data.

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Anatomy of Sand Beach Ridges: Evidence From Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi and Its Predecessors, Northeast Queensland, Australia

Sedimentary signatures, along with the geochemical indicators and the degraded nature of the microfossil assemblages, have proven to be useful proxies to identify storm-deposited units within the study site

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Analysis of Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Anthrosols—The Case of Former Bremen Missionary’s Settlement in Ghana

Anthrosols in the sub-Sahara developed on a mid-19th century AD Bremen missionary settlement were studied, aiming to compare the physicochemical properties with control soil. Total K, Cu, Mn, Zn, Sr, Ca, Mg and Fe indicated past settlement activities according to their significant correlations with P.

Abstract

Cost Effectiveness of Environmental Lead Risk Mitigation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

This article reviews the cost effectiveness of the remediation of a lead contaminated site in the Dominican Republic that posed a health risk to the surrounding community. Researchers collected 152 in situ surface soil lead measurements using a portable X-Ray fluorescence instrument.

Abstract

The Incorporation of Field Portable Instrumentation Into Human Planetary Surface Exploration

This work summarizes the efforts of the RIS4E (Remote, In Situ and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration) SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute) team in investigating how field portable instruments should be including into planning for future exploration EVAs (extravehicular activities).

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Anthropogenic Soils and Landscapes of European Russia: Summer School From Sea to Sea—A Didactic Prototype

This article presents a didactic prototype and the outcomes of the “Monitoring, Modeling, and Management of Urban Green Infrastructure and Soils” summer school—the first educational tour observing anthropogenic soils and landscapes along the bioclimatic gradient in European Russia, from tundra to dry steppes.

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Evaluation of Soil Arsenic Contamination at an Abandoned Apple Orchard by Portable X-Ray Spectrometry

This study demonstrates the use of a portable X-ray spectrometer to analyze soil rapidly at a former orchard in southeastern Pennsylvania. Elevated concentrations of arsenic were detected within the orchard and nearby where pesticides were mixed or dumped.