XRF LIMITATIONS - I set out to find the answer to -
" Can an XRF distinguished between multibond minerals " ?
" How would an XRF handle several minerals in a bond " ?
While on search...
I also found diff kinds of - Molybdenum.
Molybdenum - Kinds -
- Jordesite - MoS2 ( steel blue )
- Lindgrenite - Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 ( green )
- Wulfenite - PbMoO4 ( orange, brown, red, pastey )
Copper - Kinds -
Azurite
Malachite
Chalcopyrite
Bornite
Copper chloride, fluroide, potassium, carbonate
Lindgreite
In my minds eye....
The XRF unit must have some sort of " control "
in which to bounce off the radiation inorder to detect - element.
I imagine... a spec of each mineral with in the unit -
in which allows one to calibrate the machine -
i could be wrong... but, makes sense to me.
Supposing this was so....
small spec with in machine spec of each mineral.
Used as control.
One then has to ask...
what if the geo comes across a multi bond mineral
but the - control mineral witrh in XRF - is a pure element
of just eah mineral ?
Could the XRF handle / detect - multi bonds ?
Here's what i found -
XRF analyses cannot distinguish variations among isotopes of an element
XRF analyses cannot distinguish ions of the same element in different valence states
Link -
https://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/geochemsheets/techniques/XRF.html
My hunch was correct.
diff isotopes = diff bonds
multiple ions / same mineral diff states = diff valences = diff structure
Let's now ask...
All the samples take from " ALL " explorers....
The readings that made the cut - good grades
But mineral was in a complex bond -
I would make that bet and say....
The % or grades would - ring in - higher.
All based on the " control mineral " with in XRF.
What type of control mineral - did the XRF come with ?
Could they be " modified " ?
EXAMPLE -
Explorer takes the " original control mineral " out...
Replace with - multi bond / valance targeted mineral
allowing optimal performance of the - XRF - ?
Specifically - honed - designed - for the depoist.
Something to think about -
Maybe... it's something new - good idea.
If - one is only using - XRF - save on lab costs...
One might be - short changing themselves on the -
actual grades. Grades = Worth.
Cheers....
Due excuse the last link on - 2008 Jean report.
I checked my post and the link appears bad.
Works fine at my end.
I guess another could perform same search
using the link - data.