X-ray diffraction as a highly selective and sensitive tool for the identification of Mg-rich carbonate phases in terms of the limestone with magnesium practical application

Abstract

This article presents the theory about the usability and effectiveness of X-Ray Diffraction in identifying carbonate phases varied in magnesium content in the practical application of limestone-rich magnesium. Results of research on the Triassic limestone samples using this method are presented there. The samples were taken from the area of Opole Silesia in Poland. It is a Polish part of the Germanic Basin. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the following phases: low-Mg calcite, high-Mg calcite, dolomite, and huntite. Low-Mg calcite dominates in the limestones. In some samples, there is also a lower amount of high-Mg calcite. Moreover, dolomite and huntite were identified. The study results have shown that X-ray diffraction is the perfect method to identify carbonate phases with different magnesium content. Limestone, including carbonates rich in magnesium, can be used as a fertilizer, animal feed additive, sorbent to desulfurize flue gases or material in road building. The research results indicate the possibility of application of the Muschelkalk limestones rich in magnesium from the area of Opole Silesia in different branches of industry. Therefore, it would not be necessary to carry out selective exploitation in a way to avoid the magnesium-rich limestone zones in the deposits.