Quantitative multielemental analysis of titaniferous magnetites by PIXE, EDXRF, and their iron mineral characterization by 57Fe Moessbauer spectroscopy

Two representative titaniferous magnetite samples procured from Moulabhanj, Orissa, India have been studied by PIXE, EDXRF, Moessbauer spectroscopy, and XRD techniques. Major iron-bearing phases identified in the samples by Moessbauer spectroscopy and XRD are magnetite, hematite, ferrous ilmenite and ferric ilmenite. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio and the relative percentages of different minerals were determined from the resonance areas of Moessbauer spectra. Quantitative multielemental analysis was carried out by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Nineteen minor and trace elements have been quantified by EDXRF whereas by PIXE eighteen elements have been analyzed quantitatively. Concentrations of trace elements determined by EDXRF and PIXE were used in interpreting the physicochemical condition of the depositional basin. (author)