The sedimentary petrologists have long been concerned with the determination of the calcite-dolomite ratio of carbonate rocks. The ratio is difficult to determine in thin section with any accuracy; the minerals are very similar optically and at best only a fair approximation can be obtained by a thin section traverse. The Lemberg staining procedure, which utilizes a silver nitrate-potassium chromate reagent, is rather involved and not too reliable. The differential thermal analysis and thermoluminescence methods are fairly rapid and accurate but involve elaborate equipment
