Combination of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis and multivariate statistic for alluvial soils classification: a case study from the Padanian Plain (Northern Italy)

Abstract

Wavelength dispersive X-Ray f luorescence analysis, coupled with multivariate statistics, has been used to characterise the alluvial soils of the easternmost Po Plain area. Coarse to f ine sediments, which can be related to various depositional environments (paleochannels, interf luvial areas, brackish marsh interdistributary bays and littoral dunes), have been taken into consideration. Through the use of an extensive analytical database and the principal component analysis in combination with factorial analysis, a soil classif ication method is proposed, which can also help to constrain the depositional environment of the alluvial sediments. This methodology was subsequently validated using other wavelength dispersive X-Ray f luorescence analyses of soils with different provenance and historical bricks made with alluvial deposits similar to those already studied. By relating the principal component analysis in combination with factorial analysis factors, we therefore provide a useful tool to integrate the classical and well-established classif ication of alluvial deposits based on f ield observation and grain size investigations.

Quantitative speciation of manganese oxide mixtures by RIXS/RRS spectroscopy

“…It successfully disassembles the total variance into smaller components, the principal components, allowing to search through the data set by parts, prioritizing those parts that explain the largest amount of the total variance. It is increasingly used in X‐ray spectrometry because of its simplicity and the amount of information that can be understood through it …”

Enrichment in Heavy Metal (HM) and Rare Earth Element (REE) in Fluvial Placer Deposits: Case Study of Zambesi River (Mozambique)

“…Quantitative chemical analyses were accomplished by XRF (ARL ADVANT XP, Thermo Corporation, USA). Calibrations were obtained analyzing certified reference materials [37]. The samples density was determined by an Helium Pycnometer (Micromeritics Accupyc 1330 with a 1 cm3 measuring cup).…”

Multiple X‐ray approaches to discriminate the origin of liquefied sand erupted during the 2012 Emilia Romagna earthquake

“…Accuracies and detection limits are reported in Table . More information about certified reference materials are available in Di Giuseppe et al …”

“…Wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WD‐XRF) is a fast and accurate technique for determining the major (those present at concentration exceeding 1% by mass) and trace (concentration less than 0.1%) element composition of a solid matrices . Several other analytical techniques (even with better accuracy) can be used, but WD‐XRF is the only one that allows determining the elemental composition of a solid matrix, without complex sample treatments as, for example, fusion or acid dissolution.…”

“…Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) is a fast and accurate technique for determining the major (those present at concentration exceeding 1% by mass) and trace (concentration less than 0.1%) element composition of a solid matrices. [1][2][3] Several other analytical techniques (even with better accuracy) can be used, but WD-XRF is the only one that allows determining the elemental composition of a solid matrix, without complex sample treatments as, for example, fusion or acid dissolution. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) is the main technique used for the mineralogical characterization of a solid matrices, while granulometric analysis, obtained by an X-ray Sedigraph, provides a classification criterion of the sediment and a first information of its origin.…”