Infrared spectroscopy, soil mineral characterization

Iron oxides and hydroxides are the most important iron-bearing constituents of soils, sediments and clays. To characterize the samples, i.e. the identification of the different minerals present and the determination of their morphology and chemical composition, a variety of standard techniques are commonly used such as X-ray and electron diffraction, chemical analyses, optical and electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis (DTA, DTC,...). Most of these techniques are further applied in conjunction with selective dissolution or other separation methods in order to obtain more specific information about particular components in the complex soil system. In addition to all those characterization methods, MS has proven to be a valuable complementary technique for the study of these kinds of materials and in particular for the characterization of iron oxides and hydroxides which are usually poorly crystallized. 

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