A. Volborth. Elemental Analysis in Geochemistry. Part A: Major Elements. (Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics no. 8.) Amsterdam, London, and New York (Elsevier), 1969. xv + pp., 76 figs., 15 tables. Price 135s.

AbstractThe Grolier Codex has been a controversial document ever since its late discovery in 1965. Because of its rare iconographical content and its unknown origin, specialists are not keen to assure its authenticity that would set it amongst the other tree known Maya codes in the world (Dresden, Paris Codex and Madrid Codex).The document that has been kept in the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City, after its exposure in 1971 at the Grolier Club of New York, has been analyzed by a set of non-destructive techniques in order to characterize its materials including paper fibers, preparation layer and colors composition. The methodology included UV imaging, IR reflectography and optic microscopy examinations as well as Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) using an external beam setup for elemental analysis. All the measurements were carried out at 3MV Pelletron Accelerator of the Instituto de Física, UNAM. The aim of this work is to verify if the materials in the Grolier Codex match those found for other pre-Hispanic documents.From the elemental composition we concluded that the preparation layer shows the presence of gypsum (CaSO4), color red is due to red hematite (Fe2O3) and black is a carbon-based ink. These results agree with previous analyses carried out by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX) on few samples. However, the presence of Maya Blue in the blue pigment cannot be assured. The examination using UV and IR lights shows homogeneity in the inks and red color but dark areas that contain higher amounts of K in the preparation layer. This paper discusses the results obtained for the UV-IR examinations and the elemental analysis. A comparison with other studies on pre-Hispanic and early colonial codex is presented.

Download Full-text

Rubidium in the elemental composition of Brazilian coffee

International Journal of PIXE ◽

10.1142/s0129083519500062 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (01n02) ◽

pp. 35-42

Author(s):

Rafaela Debastiani ◽

Livio Amaral ◽

Johnny Ferraz Dias

Keyword(s):

Trace Element ◽

Elemental Composition ◽

Elemental Analysis ◽

Major Elements ◽

X Ray ◽

Ground Coffee

In this paper, a Brazilian roasted ground coffee from a popular brand was analyzed using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The elemental analysis identified elements such as Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Rb. While K, Mg and P are major elements, Mn, Fe, Zn and Rb were found in trace amounts. The presence of rubidium as a trace element in the samples is discussed in view of its presence in Brazilian coffee, soil and other beverages.

Download Full-text

Elemental analysis in geochemistry. Part A: Major elements.

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/0016-7061(70)90042-x ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 151-152

Author(s):

U. Colombo

Keyword(s):

Elemental Analysis ◽

Major Elements

Download Full-text

Review on Mineral Characterization of Precambrian Charnockites – using PIXE Technique

10.5194/gi-2020-15 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Avupati Venkata Surya Satyanarayana ◽

Mokka Jagannadharao ◽

Kemburu Chandra Mouli ◽

Kollu Sai Satya Mounika

Keyword(s):

Long Range ◽

Elemental Analysis ◽

Major Elements ◽

Analytical Tool ◽

Trace Elemental Analysis ◽

X Ray ◽

Trace Elemental ◽

Mineral Characterization ◽

Non Destructive

Abstract. Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) has been applied to a analytical tool for long range of major, minor and trace elemental analysis in Precambrian charnockites. PIXE is sensitive and non-destructive method for some elemental analysis in a variety of Precambrian charnockite rocks down to levels of a few parts per million and it is not valid for all remaining elements in the composition. The elements identified in the Precambrian charnokite rock are Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Ag, Pb are identified without exact values by PIXE but the elements minor F, major elements Na, Mg, Al, Si, P and Ba and traces of Co, Th and U not detected due to various reasons even though there present in the charnockites, because of PIXE which is operation at 3 MeV energy and characterization material of charnockite mineral investigated. In mineral characterization of charnockite rocks, elemental errors in concentration of the compositions explained by comparing with present and previous studies.

Download Full-text