Quantitative Analysis of Sedimentary Minerals by Powder X-ray Diffraction

Abstract

AbstractThe variables of reflection overlap, crystallinity and crystallite size, primary extinction, microabsorption, chemical substitutions, preferred orientation, and analytical procedures affect quantitative analysis by powder X-ray diffraction. The intensity of the strongest reflection (I) of 39 minerals from a typical sedimentary environment divided by the intensity of the strongest reflection (Ic) of corundum, I/Ic, may be used to determine mineral percentages. Because of the numerous variables mentioned above, the I/Icratios used should be taken from multi-mineral specimens that occur either in the same geological formation for quantitative analysis (±7%) or in a similar geological formation for quantitative analysis (±30%).