Potassium determinations using SEM, FAAS and XRF : Some experimental notes
Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.11, No.2, 2011, pages 169-179
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169-179
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Articles
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Abstract:
The calibration of Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X- Rays Spec-trometry (SEM-EDS) for elemental quantitative analysis is an important task for characterization, provenance and absolute dating purposes. In particular the potassium determination is an im-portant contributor to dose rate assessments in luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating. Here a SEM-EDX is calibrated on different archaeological and geoarchaeological materials against standard laboratory samples as well as measured by micro X-Rays Fluorescence (μXRF) and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) techniques. A common linear relationship is obtained for most elements and certain rock types used and two clear linear regressions for two types of rocks; one for granite, diorite, microgranite and sediments and another ceramic sherds, soils, marble schists, breccia. Such linear regressions become readily available for a future fast, efficient and accu-rate way of potassium determination.
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Keywords:
calibration, potassium, SEM, XRF, rocks, ceramics, chemical elements
Notes:
Corresponding author: [email protected], We thank Prof. Marco Martini (Italy) and Prof. Ashok Singhvi (India) for constructive comments and Dr Y.Bassiakos for useful comments. DM thanks directorate of NCPR “Demokritos” for per-mission to use their premises.
