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This study focuses on particle size effect on monomineralic powders recorded using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy. Six particle size fractions of quartz, feldspar, calcite, and dolomite were prepared (<2, 2-4, 4-8, 8-16, 16-32, and 32-63 µm). It is found that the width, intensity, and area of bands in the ATR FT-IR spectra of minerals have explicit dependence on the particle size. As particle size increases, the intensity and area of IR bands usually decrease while the width of bands increases. The band positions usually shifted to higher wavenumbers with decreasing particle size. Infrared spectra of minerals are the most intensive in the particle size fraction of 2-4 µm. However, if the particle size is very small (<2 µm), due to the wavelength and penetration depth of the IR light, intensity decreases. Therefore, the quantity of very fine-grained minerals may be underestimated compared to the coarser phases. A nonlinear regression analysis of the data indicated that the average coefficients and indices of the power trend line equation imply a very simplistic relationship between median particle diameter and absorbance at a given wavenumber. It is concluded that when powder samples with substantially different particle size are compared, as in regression analysis for modal predictions using ATR FT-IR, it is also important to report the grain size distribution or surface area of samples. The band area of water (3000-3620 cm) is similar in each mineral fraction, except for the particles below 2 µm. It indicates that the finest particles could have disproportionately more water adsorbed on their larger surface area. Thus, these higher wavenumbers of the ATR FT-IR spectra may be more sensitive to this spectral interference if the number of particles below 2 µm is considerable. It is also concluded that at least a proportion of the moisture could be very adhesive to the particles due to the band shift towards lower wavenumbers in the IR range of 3000-3620 cm.

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a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oThis study demonstrates that the unpolarized attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) is a practical and quick tool to distinguish different types of sediments in landslide-affected areas, and potentially other types of physical environments too. Identification and quantification of minerals by ATR FTIR is implemented on a set of powdered natural sediments from a loess landslide (Kulcs, Hungary). A protocol including sample preparation, analytical conditions and evaluation of sediment ATR spectra is outlined in order to identify and estimate major minerals in sediments. The comparison of the defined FTIR parameters against qualitative and quantitative results of X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis was used to validate the use of ATR FTIR spectroscopy for the considered sediments. The infrared band areas and their ratios (water/carbonates; silicates/carbonates; kaolinite) appear to be the most sensitive parameters to identify strongly weathered sediments such as paleosols and red clays which most likely facilitate sliding and could form sliding zones. The effect of grain size and orientation of anisotropic minerals on the wave number and intensity of some major absorption bands is also discussed.