Wave Length Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence

• Subject Area: Geology and Palaeontology
• Term: Funded in 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 548351065

We wish to purchase a wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometer as a replacement of our similar, but outdated instrument. In addition, we want to modernize our sample preparation procedure through a new fusion machine incl. platinum ware. Our WDXRF has been in operation since 2007 and is heavily used in our research, mainly for geochemical major element whole rock data. It needs replacement, because it is out of service, no spare parts are available anymore and it breaks down regularly. We consider the WDXRF a standard analytical tool in geochemistry departments as ours. The research of the geochemistry and economic geology group covers a wide range of topics, where we mainly investigate fluid-rock or soil interaction. We quantify mass transfer and mineralogical processes, which requires high-precision major element data for mass balance calculation, thermodynamic modelling and a basis for modelling X-ray diffraction data. This has been successfully shown in a number of publications of the group members. At the interface of magmatic and hydrothermal processes detailed information on fractionate crystallization by major element data is required for modelling degassing and element fractionation between minerals, melts and fluids. This research direction will in particular profit from a new WDXRF that is able to determine Fe and S speciation, yielding information about the redox state of the system. This and the analysis of volatile elements like P, Cl or F, which are in particular important elements in hydrothermal systems, require careful sample preparation so that they are not lost during fusion. Therefore, a new fusion machine is also needed in order to improve our preparation procedure. We are using WDXRF extensively and will do this in the future in our major research directions in hydrothermal ore deposit geology, aqueous geochemistry, environmental geochemistry and other applied field like direct Li-extraction from geothermal brines.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Wellenlängendispersive Röntgenfluoreszenz
• Instrumentation Group: 4030 Röntgenfluoreszenz-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
• Leader: Professor Dr. Jochen Kolb