Quantitative Phase Analysis of Skarn Rocks by the Rietveld Method Using X-ray Powder Diffraction Data

Abstract

The Rietveld method using X-ray powder diffraction data was applied to selected skarn samples for quantitative determination of the present minerals. The specimens include garnet, clinopyroxene–garnet, plagioclase–clinopyroxene–wollastonite–garnet, plagioclase–clinopyroxene–wollastonite, plagioclase–clinopyroxene–wollastonite–epidote, and plagioclase–clinopyroxene skarns. The rocks are coarse- to fine-grained and characterized by an uneven distribution of the constituent minerals. The traditional methods for quantitative analysis (point-counting and norm calculations) are not applicable for such inhomogeneous samples containing minerals with highly variable chemical compositions. Up to eight individual mineral phases have been measured in each sample. To obtain the mineral quantities in the skarn rocks preliminary optical microscopy and chemical investigation by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) were performed for the identification of some starting components for the Rietveld analysis and to make comparison with the Rietveld X-ray powder diffraction results. All of the refinements are acceptable, as can be judged by the standard indices of agreement and by the visual fits of the observed and calculated diffraction profiles. A good correlation between the refined mineral compositions and the data of the EPMA measurements was achieved.

Editorial for the Special Issue “The Rietveld Method in Geomaterials Characterisation”

“…A brilliant example of the latter is the Quantitative Phase Analysis of Skarn Rocks [4] where the Rietveld method, using X-ray powder diffraction data, was applied to selected skarn samples. The traditional methods for quantitative analysis (point-counting and norm calculations) are not applicable for such inhomogeneous samples, containing minerals with highly variable chemical compositions.…”