Elements analysis on different sequential leaching products of the samples are needed to strengthen the conclusion. Sedimentary carbonates can host various trace elements in their crystal lattices, with concentrations dependent on the geochemical compositions of seawater and their partition coefficients between carbonate and seawater.
Dear Mr. Imran,
The elemental analysis in carbonates is almost same as for bulk sediments. Only the sample preparation techniques are specific for specific objective. There are several papers based on these preparation protocols. You can refer Barker et al., 2003; Yu et al., 2005,2007 (attached) for sample preparation of foraminiferal carbonates. After successful preparation of sample, the elements can be analysed following the same procedure as for bulk sediment using ICP-MS and element specific calibration standards.
Sincerely,
Syed Azharuddin
Thanks a lot Syed Azharuddin for your reply.
The rock samples are limestone.
Dear Mr. Khan:
limestones are not that homogeneous as often people might think . I give you a rough scheme below:
aragonite
calcite Mg calcite (MgCO3 = 0 to 6 %; > 11 % at T values > 15°C and higher- up 40 %)
ferroan calcite (reducing environment)
dolomite ferroan dolomite/ ankerite (reducing environment, late diagenetic)
siderite (reducing environment, late diagenetic)
collophanite/ hydroxyl-apatite
clay minerals (e.g,. illite, smectite, sepiolite, glauconite...)
alkaline feldspar
siliceous compounds (derived from spicules, radiolarian tests, diatoms sulfate (gypsum, celestite)
chloride (halite)
They accommodate trace elements and REE in a different way . Therefore, without a proper knowledge of the mineral assemblage you hardly can attribute the various element contents to the different minerals. Unfortunately, the minerals are mostly members of the light mineral group.
Only some sulfates (celestite), phosphates and Fe-Mn-bearing carbonate minerals pertain to the "heavies". With this in mind it is difficult to design for you a family tree for the mineral processing. More information is necessary.
With kind regards
H.G.Dill
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