Low level detection and quantification of carbonate species using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis

摘要

This report describes a procedural manual for the newly acquired simultaneousudthermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis system and details of initial testing touddetermine the low level detection and quantification of carbonate species. This work was carriedudout as part of the Science Facilities’ Maintenance and Development of Capability (MaDCap)udproject.udThe report firstly introduces the techniques of thermal analysis and BGS’s capabilities in thisudarea. The report then details a series of experiments designed to determine the low leveluddetection and quantification of carbonate species (calcite, dolomite and siderite).udResults indicate that combined TGA-DTA analysis offers significantly lower levels of detectionudthan other mineralogical techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis.udMeasured carbonate species concentration levels as low as 200 ppm (dolomite and siderite) andud150 ppm (calcite) in synthetic mixtures are proved. Lower detection limits are possible butudproving these is precluded by the difficulty of handling/weighing such small quantities.