21 research outputs found
Analytical methodology to elemental quantification of weathered terrestrial analogues to meteorites using a portable Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument and Partial Least Squares (PLS) as multivariate calibration technique
The present work is focused on the in situ quantitative analysis of Si, Al,Mg, Ca, Ba, Na, and Fe, present in weathered
terrestrial analogues to meteorites (black steel slag and impact glasses), using a portable Laser Induced
Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument. For that purpose, several standards pellets of known elemental concentrations
were manufactured. The elemental and molecular homogeneity of the pellets was studied by means
of Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Raman spectroscopy.
This checkwas always made before the LIBS analysis. Univariate andmultivariate (Partial Least Squares
(PLS) regression) calibration approaches on LIBS spectra were selected as initial calibration models. After a comparison
between both approaches, the former was discarded due to the poor linearity of the calibration curves,
and PLS regressionwas chosen to treat the LIBS spectra as themultivariate calibration approach (in the ultraviolet
(UV) and infrared (IR) spectral ranges). Predictive capabilities of each calibration model were evaluated by calculating
regression coefficient (r), number of PLS factors (rank), relative errors of cross validation (RMSECV), residual
predictive deviation (RPD) and the Bias value. At the end, the simultaneous use of both ranges of
wavelengths was demonstrated to be more fruitful rather than using the individual ones, probably due to the
higher number of emission lines, number of spectral variables and the PLS latent variables for each element.
Moreover, a Reference Material was used as external validation, obtaining satisfactory results in the determination
of elements. The predictive ability of the PLSmodelswas evaluated on samples of Darwin Glasses (Australia),
Libyan Desert Glasses (Western Desert of Egypt) and black steel slag residues (steelworks of Basque Country).
The obtained results were in concordance with the range of composition measured also by X-ray Fluorescence
Spectrometer (ED-XRF). Our methodology is a good, rapid, simple and cost-effective alternative for in situ analysis
of these terrestrial analogues over other techniques.Proyecto MINECO Retos de la Sociedad. Ref. ESP2014-56138-C3-2-
Detection of organic compounds in impact glasses formed by the collision of an extraterrestrial material with the Libyan Desert (Africa) and Tasmania (Australia)
Impact glasses are rich silica melted formed at high temperature and pressure by the impact of an extraterrestrial body on Earth.
Here, Libyan Desert glasses (LDGs) and Darwin glasses (DGs) were studied. Two non-destructive analytical techniques were
used to detect and characterize organic compounds present in their inclusions: Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron
microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Phytoliths, humboldtine, palmitic acid, myristic acid,
oleic acid, 4-methyl phthalic acid, and S-H stretching vibrations of amino acids were identified. The presence of these particular
organic compounds in such materials has not been reported so far, providing information about (a) the ancient matter of the area
where the impact glasses were formed, (b) organic matter belonging to the extraterrestrial body which impacted on the Earth, or
(c) even to current plant or bacterial life, which could indicate an active interaction of the LDG and DG with the surrounding
environment. Moreover, the identification of fullerene allowed us to know a pressure (15 GPa) and temperatures (670 K or 1800–
1900 K) at which samples could be subjected.Proyecto MINECO Retos de la Sociedad. Ref. ESP2014-56138-C3-2-
Non-destructive characterisation of the Elephant Moraine 83227 meteorite using confocal Raman, micro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and Raman-scanning electron microscope-energy-dispersive X-ray microscopies
The application of a non-destructive analytical procedure to characterise the mineral phases in meteorites is a key issue in order to
preserve this type of scarce materials. In the present work, the Elephant Moraine 83227 meteorite, found in Antarctica in 1983
and originated from 4 Vesta asteroid, was analysed by micro-Raman spectroscopy, micro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence
and the structural and chemical analyser (Raman spectroscopy coupled with scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive
spectroscopy) working in both point-by-point and image modes. The combination of all these techniques allows the extraction of,
at the same time, elemental, molecular and structural data of the studied microscopic area of the meteorite. The most relevant
results of the Elephant Moraine 83227 were the finding of tridymite for the first time in a 4 Vesta meteorite, along with quartz,
which means that the meteorite suffered high temperatures at a certain point. Moreover, both feldspar and pyroxenewere found as
the main mineral phases in the sample. Ilmenite, apatite, chromite and elemental sulphur were also detected as secondary
minerals. Finally, calcite was found as a weathering product, which was probably formed in terrestrial weathering processes of
the pyroxene present in the sample. Besides, Raman spectroscopy provided information about the conditions that the meteorite
experienced; the displacements in some feldspar Raman bands were used to estimate the temperature and pressure conditions to
which the Elephant Moraine 83227 was subjected, because we obtained both low and high formation temperature feldspar.Proyecto MINECO Retos de la Sociedad. Ref. ESP2014-56138-C3-2-
When Red Turns Black: Influence of the 79 AD Volcanic Eruption and Burial Environment on the Blackening/Darkening of Pompeian Cinnabar
It is widely known that the vivid hue of red cinnabar can darken or turn black. Many authors have studied this transformation, but only a few in the context of the archeological site of Pompeii. In this work, the co-occurrence of different degradation patterns associated with Pompeian cinnabar-containing fresco paintings (alone or in combination with red/yellow ocher pigments) exposed to different types of environments (pre- and post-79 AD atmosphere) is reported. Results obtained from the in situ and laboratory multianalytical methodology revealed the existence of diverse transformation products in the Pompeian cinnabar, consistent with the impact of the environment. The effect of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide emitted during the 79 AD eruption on the cinnabar transformation was also evaluated by comparing the experimental evidence found on paintings exposed and not exposed to the post-79 AD atmosphere. Our results highlight that not all the darkened areas on the Pompeian cinnabar paintings are related to the transformation of the pigment itself, as clear evidence of darkening associated with the presence of manganese and iron oxide formation (rock varnish) on fragments buried before the 79 AD eruption has also been found.The research leading to these results has received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation (Silvia Pérez-Diez, ID 100010434, Fellowship code LCF/BQ/ES18/11670017). A.P.M. is a Serra Húnter fellow. A.P.M’s research was supported by a Beatriu de Pinós postdoctoral grant (2017 BP-A 00046) of the Government of Catalonia’s Secretariat for Universities & Research of the Ministry of Economy and Knowledge. This work has been supported by the project MADyLIN (BIA2017-87063-P) funded by the Spanish Agency for Research AEI (MINECO-FEDER/UE). The authors thank for the funding provided by University of the Basque Country through the Institutionally Sponsored Open Access
Europako uraren zuzentarauaren helburuak, egokitasuna eta ezarpena: Europatik Euskal Herrira
Europan ezarrita zeuden uraren inguruko araudi guztiak bateratzeko asmoz sortu zen 2000. urtean Uraren Europako Zuzentaraua (European Water Framework Directive, WFD). Bere helburu nagusia 2015. urterako Europako estatukideek beraien mugen barnean kokaturiko ur-masa guztien (gainazaleko zein lurpeko uren) egoera ekologiko ona ziurtatzea da. Helburua erdiesteko kide bakoitzak bere ur-masen ikerketarako eta hobekuntzarako plan bereziak garatu behar ditu. Egoeraren larritasunaren arabera, hainbat mailatako monitorizazio-programak diseinatzea eskatzen da, hots, zaintzarako, ekintzarako edo ikerketarako monitorizazioak. Datu esanguratsuak eta konparagarriak lortzeko beharrezkotzat jotzen da, bestalde, inguru eta konpartimendu bakoitzerako erreferentzia-balio egokiak (Environmental Quality Standards-ak, EQS-ak) definitzea. Espero zitekeenez, Zuzentarauaren ezarpena ez da prozesu erraza gertatzen ari. Orain arte Europa mailan egindako lanetan oinarrituz, ur-masen portzentaje esanguratsua sailkatu da ur-masa oso eraldatu moduan. Euskal Herrian esaterako, ur-masen %7.8ak besterik ez du eskuratzen egoera ekologiko ona. Are gehiago, garrantzi ekologiko eta ekonomiko handia duten trantsizio-uren artean ez da egoera ekologiko ona eskuratzen duen ur-masarik identifikatu. Hau guztia kontuan hartuta, onartuta dago ezinezkoa gertatuko dela Zuzentarauak 2015. urterako finkaturiko xedea lortzea Europako herrialde gehienetan, Euskal Herria barne. Beraz, Zuzentarauren ezarpenerako bidean oraindik egiteke dagoen lana gogorra da
Study Of The Soluble Salts Formation In A Recently Restored House Of Pompeii By In-Situ Raman Spectroscopy
The walls and mural paintings of Pompeii exposed directly to the rainfalls are the most impacted in view of the observed decay. However, there are also wall paintings in protected rooms showing evidences of decaying. The aim of this research was to study the salts formed in such protected wall paintings only by non-invasive and in-situ Raman spectroscopy to understand their decaying processes. The perystile of the House of the Gilded Cupids (Regio VI, Insula 16), one of the most important houses of Pompeii was studied. Although an exhaustive restoration was carried out in 2004, a new conservation treatment was needed in 2013 and only two years later, extensive crystallizations of soluble salts were again threatening several of the restored surfaces, thus, the presence of an unsolved degradation pathway was deduced. Thank to the proposed methodology, it was pointed out that the key is the acidified rainfall impact in the non-protected backside of the walls containing the wall paintings. Thus, a new concept in the preservation of the houses of Pompeii is provided, in which the need of the protection of those walls from both sides is suggested to avoid the movement of water through the pores of the walls.The authors would like to thank the direction of Archaeological Park of Pompeii, for the permissions to perform our field studies during the 2015 APUV expedition. This work has been financially supported by the projects DISILICA-1930 (ref: BIA2014-59124) and MADyLIN (ref. BIA2017-87063-P) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Moreover, the sponsorship of the APUV 2015 by BWTEK is also appreciated. Marco Veneranda and Iker Marcaida are grateful for their pre-doctoral grants to the MINECO and Basque government, respectively
Chemometrics and elemental mapping by portable LIBS to identify the impact of volcanogenic and non-volcanogenic degradation sources on the mural paintings of Pompeii
Crystallization of soluble salts is a common degradation phenomenon that threatens the mural paintings of Pompeii. There are many elements that contribute to the crystallization of salts on the walls of this archaeological site. Notably, the leachates of the pyroclastic materials ejected in 79 AD by Mount Vesuvius and local groundwater, rich in ions from the erosion of volcanic rocks. Both sources could contribute to increase the concentration of halides (fluorides and chlorides) and other salts in these walls. The distribution of volcanogenic salts and their impact on the conservation of Pompeian mural paintings have however not yet been fully disclosed. In this work, an analytical methodology useful to determine the impact of the main sources of degradation affecting the mural paintings of Pompeii is presented. This methodology combines the creation of qualitative distribution maps of the halogens (CaF and CaCl) and related alkali metals (Na and K) by portable Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and a subsequent Principal Component Analysis of these data. Such maps, together with the in-situ identification of sulfate salts by portable Raman spectroscopy, provided information about the migration and distribution of volcanogenic halides and the influence of ions coming from additional sources (marine aerosol and modern consolidation mortars). Additionally, the thermodynamic modeling developed using the experimentally determined ionic content of Pompeian rain- and groundwater allowed to determine their specific role in the formation of soluble salts in the mural paintings of Pompeii.The research leading to these results has received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation (Silvia P erez-Diez, ID 100010434, Fellowship code LCF/BQ/ES18/11670017). This work has been supported by the Spanish Agency for Research AEI (MINECO- FEDER /UE) through the projects MADyLIN (BIA2017-87063-P) and MINECO-17-CTQ2016-77887-C2-1-R, and the Government of the Principality of Asturias (GRUPIN IDI/2018/000186). The authors thank for technical and human support provided by the laboratory Raman-LASPEA of SGIker (UPV/EHU/ ERDF, EU)
In situ non-invasive multianalytical methodology to characterize mosaic tesserae from the House of Gilded Cupids, Pompeii
Mosaics, one of the most important decorative artworks in the Roman culture, were usually elaborated with a set of tesserae joined with lime or others binders to form geometric or figurative decorations. The identification of both substrate and colored compounds of the tesserae is a challenge for chemists and archaeologists. In this work, two mosaics present in the House of Gilded Cupids from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii were analyzed in situ by non destructive techniques. Raman and Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopies were used for the molecular and mineralogical characterization, and hand-held energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (HH-EDXRF) spectrometry and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the elemental analysis. LIBS in-depth analysis was performed to obtain insights about the thickness of the pictorial layer determining that the thickness of red and orange pictorial layers was higher than 140 μm. The results showed that white tesserae were mainly composed by calcite, while local black colored volcanic rocks were used to manufacture black tesserae. Red and orange tesserae were composed by a calcite-based matrix with a hematite pictorial layer applied over it. Orange color was obtained by diluting hematite in the calcite matrix. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the XRF data was performed to observe differences and/or similarities between the analyzed mosaics; the samples projection of the PCA showed clear groupings.Iker Marcaida is grateful to the Basque Government who funded his predoctoral fellowship. This work has been supported by the project MADyLIN (BIA2017‑87063‑P) funded by the Spanish Agency for Research AEI (MINEICO‑FEDER/ UE)
Multispectroscopic methodology to study Libyan desert glass and its formation conditions
Libyan desert glass (LDG) is a melt product whose
origin is still a matter of controversy. With the purpose of
adding new information about this enigma, the present paper
analyzes the inner part of LDG specimens and compares them
with the results of LDG surfaces. An integrated analytical
methodology was used combining different techniques such
as Raman spectroscopy, in point-by-point and imaging modes,
scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis
(SEM-EDS), energy-dispersive micro X-ray fluorescence
spectrometry (μ-EDXRF), electron probe micro analyzer
(EPMA), and optical cathodoluminescence (Optical-CL).
According to our results, flow structures of the melt and the
amorphous nature of the matrix could be discerned. Moreover,
the observed displacement of Raman bands, such as in the
cases of quartz and zircon, and the identification of certain
compounds such as coesite (the most clarifying phase of high
pressures), α-cristobalite, gypsum, anhydrite, corundum, rutile,
amorphous calcite, aragonite, and calcite allowed us to
know that LDGs could be subjected to shock pressures between
6 and more than 30 GPa, and temperatures between 300
and 1470 °C. The differences of temperature and pressure
would be provoked by different cooling processes during the
impact. Besides, in most cases the minerals corresponding to
high pressure and temperatures were located in the inner part
of the LDGs, with some exceptions that could be explained
because they were trapped subsequently to the impact; there
was more than one impact or heterogeneous cooling.
Furthermore, nitrogen and oxygen gases were identified
inside bubbles, which could have been introduced from the
terrestrial atmosphere during the meteorite impact.
These data helped us to clarify some clues about the origin
of these enigmatic samples.Proyecto MINECO Retos de la Sociedad. Ref. ESP2014-56138-C3-2-