In Geological Science

Analysis of rock specimens by NAA is helpftil to geochemists in research on the processes involved in the formation of different rocks through the analysis of the rare earth elements and other trace elements. For example, the discovery of anomalously high iridium concentrations in 65-miIlion-year old limestone deposits from Italy and Demnark have been accomphshed by NAA. The NAA findings support the theory that extinction of the dinosaurs occurred soon after the impact of a large meteorite with the earth. The study of low concentration of U in stony and meteorites and trace elements in Apollo-II lunar rocks (Ganapathy et al. 1970) have been imdertaken through NAA. Detection 

The thermal neutron activation technique has been applied by Borsaru and Mathew (1980) to find the concentration of AI2O3 in coal measuring the 1.78 MeV y-ray produced from the reaction Al(n, y) A1. In another study, these authors (Borsaru and Mathew 1982) applied the thermal neutron activation technique to bulk samples (=11 kg) of Australian black coal for the determination of alumina, silica, and ash. The determination of alumina was based on the reaction Al(n, p) Mg and coimted the 0.844 MeV peak (ti/2 = 9.4 min). Silica was determined by means of the reaction Si(n, p) Al and counting the 1.78-MeV peak ti/2 = 2.3 min) applying correction for the interference from alumina. 

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Hay, R. L., 1963, Stratigraphy and zeolitic diagenesis of the John Day formation of Oregon. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences, Berkeley, pp.199-261. 

Synchrotron radiation also has many applications in geological sciences, particularly for determination of the local environment, geometry, and coordination of a specific element. Synchrotron sources can be used in XRF analysis, providing high-resolution elemental maps. Synchrotron-based X-ray investigations are frequently used to investigate the sorption of elements onto mineral or particle surfaces. 

M. K. Hubbert, in Resources andMan, National Geological Sciences, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1969, Chapt. 8. 

N.P. Dikiy, A.N. Dovbnya, N.A. Skakun, V.L. Uvarov, M.A. Khazhmuradov, B.I. Shramenko, Use of accelerators in geology, medicine, isotopes production and atomic power energetic. Problems of Atomic Science and Technology (PAST), Nuclear Physics Investigation Series, 2001, No. 1, pp. 26-35. 

Inertial sensors are useful devices in both science and industry. Higher precision sensors could find practical scientific applications in the areas of general relativity (Chow et ah, 1985), geodesy and geology. Important applications of such devices occur also in the field of navigation, surveying and analysis of earth structures. Matter-wave interferometry has recently shown its potential to be an extremely sensitive probe for inertial forces (Clauser, 1988). First, neutron interferometers have been used to measure the Earth rotation (Colella et ah, 1975) and the acceleration due to gravity (Werner et ah, 1979) in the end of the seventies. In 1991, atom interference techniques have been used in... 

The geological sciences are involved in studying the naturally occurring materials of the earth and solar system (i) to understand the fimdamental processes of crustal formation on earth and solar system evolution, and (2) to evaluate the crustal materials of potential economic value to man. Prior to the 1930 s, analyses were carried out exclusively using classical analytical techniques, with detection limits on the order of o.oi-o.i % (mass fraction). The number of elements contained in any sample could be as extensive as the periodic table, but very few of these could be determined. The development of instrumental techniques revolutionized the analysis of geochemical samples, beginning in the 1930 s. 

Applications of geological reference samples to mineral prospecting and economic evaluation of ore potential is the only application with a history dating back before the issuance of G-i and W-i in 1951. It is an area in which data quality or lack thereof has serious economic impacts, hence the very early development of certified reference materials mentioned previously. An extensive study of the state of ore analysis was undertaken by the Institute of Geological Sciences (now the British Geological Survey). Nineteen ores and concentrates, of varied matrix, were distributed to 38 laboratories more than 1532 results were received (Lister and Galagher 1970). 

Pickett DA, Murrell MT, Williams RW (1994) Determination of femtogram quantities of protactinium in geologic samples by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 66 1044-1049 Plagnes V, Causse C, Genty D, Pateme M, Blamart D (2002) A discontinuous climatic record from 187 to 74 ka from a speleothem of the Clamouse Cave (south of France). Earth Planet Sci Lett 201 87-103 Polyak VJ, Asmerom Y (2001) Late Holocene climate and cultural changes in the southwestern United States. Science 294 148-151... 

The second major component of the education of a modern materials chemist in materials synthesis is, of course, in phase equilibria, possibly through the treatment of quaternary systems and P—T—X (pressure—temperature—composition) equilibria. This subject was essentially eliminated from chemistry departments and is taught in the materials and geological science departments. Every student (and professor) aspiring to be a materials chemist will have to master this subject. 

The book focuses on the biogeochemistry of trace elements in arid and semiarid zone soils and includes an introductory chapter on the nature and properties of arid zone soils. It presents an updated overview and a comprehensive coverage of the major aspects of trace elements and heavy metals that are of most concern in the world s arid and semi-arid soils. These include the content and distribution of trace elements in arid soils, their solution chemistry, their solid-phase chemistry, selective sequential dissolution techniques for trace elements in arid soils, the bioavailability of trace elements, and the pollution and remediation of contaminated arid soils. A comprehensive and focused case study on transfer fluxes of trace elements in Israeli arid and semi-arid soils is presented. The book concludes with a discussion of a quantitative global perspective on anthropogenic interferences in the natural trace elements distributions. The elements discussed in this book include Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, As, Se, Co, B, Mo and others. This book is an excellent reference for students and professionals in the environmental, ecological, agricultural and geological sciences. 

Four samples were similarly selected for the EPMA experiments. The samples were dried and embedded in polished epoxy cylindrical plugs. Backscattered electron (BSE) images as well as elemental maps of As, Fe and Ni (EDS/WDS) were collected using a JEOL 8600 Superprobe electron microprobe analyzer (Dept, of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan). 

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