Application of a handheld Raman spectrometer for the screening of colored secondary sulfates in abandoned mining areas—The case of the São Domingos Mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt)

The São Domingos area (Corte do Pinto, Portugal) represents a large sulfide ore deposit in the Iberian Pyrite Belt that was mined primarily for copper and sulfur in the past. Currently, the deserted mine and mine wastes are the reason for the production of acid mining drainage releasing potentially harmful elements. Because metastable secondary sulfates may temporary sink toxic pollutants, the in situ monitoring of their distribution is required. In this work, we tested a handheld Raman spectrometer equipped with a 532 nm laser excitation for this task. Twelve selected samples of complex composition were analyzed directly in the field using the handheld Raman spectrometer. For comparison, the collected samples were additionally analyzed through laboratory-based Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Based on the in situ measurements, rozenite, melanterite, coquimbite, jarosite, metavoltine, chalcanthite, bonattite, antlerite, halotrichite-group minerals, gypsum, and sulfur were detected. The results show that handheld Raman spectrometer is comparable with other laboratory techniques and such handheld systems can be deployed successfully for monitoring of sulfate distribution directly on site

Non Destructive Investigation On The 17th/18th Century Sicilian Jewellery Collection At The Messina Regional Museum Using Mobile Raman Equipment

In recent years, the use of mobile Raman equipment as archaeological, artistic and conservation tool has largely increased due to the possibility to obtain quick and non-destructive compositional analysis on invaluable, unmovable, unique art objects. In particular, art and archaeological museums can take great advantage in carrying out in-situ measurements in short times and without moving the artifacts. In this work we report on the Raman measurements carried out by portable instruments on an important jewels collection dated back to 17th – 18thcentury and preserved in the Messina Regional Museum (Sicily, Italy) aiming at confirming the compositional identification of the gems and gemological materials of the collection

Detection of Biosignatures Using Raman Spectroscopy

International audienceRaman spectroscopy is particularly suited for the study of biosignatures: it is able to detect both organic and mineral phases, is very sensitive to carbonaceous matter and biogenic pigments, and can be used in the field and for space exploration. Thus, in a few decades it has become a key method in (micro-)palaeontology, geomicrobiology and astrobiology. In this chapter, we present an overview of the different types of biosignatures that can be detected and/or characterized using Raman spectroscopy: organic molecules, microfossils, biominerals or even living cells. A particular focus is made on the role of the excitation laser wavelength on the type of biosignatures that can be studied