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During exploration of mineral resources, extensive drilling campaigns are conducted involving a 
considerable amount of expenses and time. Drill core logging is then carried out by geologists to 
evaluate the resource. However, this methodology is often subjective, non-standardized and time-consuming. As novel sensors are released into the market, automated logging technologies are set to 
solve this constraint by developing drill core scanning prototypes. 

This master thesis is part of ANCORELOG project (Analytical Core Logger); EIT Raw Materials 
supported project that aims to develop and commercialize a multi-sensor automated drill core logging system with state-of-art technology. ANCORELOG have, so far, successfully implemented Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) camera for supervised classification of drillcore segments into geological 
domains using machine learning algorithms. However, the integration of new sensors to the system 
such as XRF, RAMAN or LIBS will enhance the capability of ANCORELOG by providing real-time qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis.

This study focuses mainly on the spectral analysis and calibration of the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) 
sensor for evaluating the potential of qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of drillcore 
samples from Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), Spain, where the Aguas Teñidas, Magdalena and Sotiel mines 
of Cu-Pb-Zn are explored by Minas de Aguas Teñidas S.A. (MATSA).
The raw XRF spectra generated were analyzed and processed with the combined use of classical 
visual interpretation and algorithms to estimate and remove background noise as well as Gaussian
method for peak-fitting. The resulting spectra showed well defined peaks that were assigned to their 
respective elements. Therefore, the study showed that the ANCORELOG mounted XRF sensor was 
successful in identifying all elements within the sensor detection limit range. 

Furthermore, attempt was made to provide a means of calibrating the sensor in order to convert the 
measured fluorescent x-ray intensity to the actual chemical composition of the sample. Linear-regression models have shown sufficient predictive power.

The generated XRF spectra were only effective in identifying and semi-quantitatively determining
sample compositions but was also able to discriminate between rock types (both mineralized and 
barren) with good level of accuracy with the aid of machine learning (supervised) algorithms.

Automated Core-Scanning, Iberian Pyrite Belt, X-Ray Fluorescence, XRF Spectra Processing, XRF Calibration, Machine Learning. --- Ingénierie, informatique & technologie > Géologie, ingénierie du pétrole & des mines

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Chemistry --- Conservation. Restoration --- restoration [process] --- chemistry --- XRF (X ray fluorescence) --- restauratie (kunst) --- chemie

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Nederlands - français

Ensor, James --- Dexia [Brussels] --- Exposition --- corporate collections --- restorative processes and techniques --- x-ray fluorescence --- micro x-ray fluorescence --- XRF (X ray fluorescence)

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De l’hypoxie saisonnière se produit actuellement sur la plateforme nord-ouest de la mer Noire. Cependant, à l’échelle de l’Holocène, peu d’études ont été réalisées sur les conditions d’oxygénation des zones côtières de la mer Noire. Deux carottes de sédiments, l’une provenant de l’embouchure du Danube (GC7, 215 cm) et l’autre de la baie d’Odessa (GC15, 297 cm), ont été prélevées dans le cadre du projet BenthOx visant à améliorer la compréhension de l’hypoxie en mer Noire. Les conditions d’oxygénation des eaux de fond ont été déterminées sur base des pyrites framboïdales. Aux profondeurs étudiées, le sédiment s’est déposé en environnement anoxique pour la carotte GC15 (diamètres moyens des pyrites framboïdales de 4 à 6 µm) et en environnement oxique pour la carotte GC7 (absence de pyrites framboïdales). Dans la carotte GC15, l’extraction séquentielle du fer réactif a montré une réduction du fer avec la profondeur avec une dominance de la pyrite dans le bas de la carotte. Ce comportement du fer semble lié à la dégradation de la matière organique. Suivant les analyses en composantes principales réalisées sur base des données XRF core scanner et de la teneur en matière organique estimée par les pertes au feu, le fer est corrélé avec les éléments détritiques dans la partie supérieure de la carotte GC15 et avec la matière organique et le soufre dans la partie inférieure. La carotte GC7 est plus homogène. Le fer y est corrélé avec la matière organique, le soufre et le brome. La fraction extractible à HCl (FeS, sidérite, ferrihydrite, akaganéite, lépidocrocite) est dominante dans toute la carotte GC7. Seasonal hypoxia currently occurs in the northwestern Black Sea shelf. However, little is known about oxygenation levels during the Holocene in coastal areas of the Black Sea. Two sediment cores, GC7 located in front of the Danube mouth (215 cm long) and GC15 in the Odessa Bay (297 cm long), were retrieved in the context of the BenthOx project. This project aims to improve the understanding of hypoxia in the Black Sea. Oxygenation levels of bottom water were determined by means of framboidal pyrites. At studied depths, sedimentation occurred in an anoxic environment for GC15 core (mean diameters of framboidal pyrites between 4 and 6 µm) and in an oxic environment for GC7 (no framboids). In the GC15 core, sequential extraction of reactive iron showed a reduction of iron with increasing depth. Indeed, pyrite is dominant in the core bottom. This iron behaviour is likely to be linked with organic matter degradation. Principal component analyses were calculated on XRF core scanner dataset, organic and carbonate contents estimated by loss on ignition. Iron is correlated with detrital elements in the top of GC15 core and with organic matter and sulphur in the bottom of this core. The GC7 core is more homogeneous. Iron is correlated with organic matter, sulphur and bromine. The HCl extractable fraction (FeS, siderite, ferrihydrite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite) is dominant in the entire GC7 core.

Mer Noire --- Danube --- baie d'Odessa --- sédiments de plateforme --- traceurs géochimiques --- hypoxie --- anoxie --- XRF core scanner --- fer réactif --- pyrites framboïdales --- Black Sea --- Danube --- Odessa Bay --- shelf sediments --- geochemical proxies --- hypoxia --- anoxia --- XRF core scanner --- reactive iron --- framboidal pyrite --- Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre > Sciences de la terre & géographie physique

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Archaeometry and cultural heritage have lately taken advantage of developments in scientific techniques, offering valuable information to archaeology, art history, and conservation science, involving both instrumental and non-instrumental approaches. Among the possible techniques, X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) has become one of the most applied techniques for cultural heritage elemental material characterization due to its user friendliness; fast, short acquisition times; portability; and most of all, its absolutely non-destructive nature. For this reason, besides being often a first choice for a preliminary overall materials investigation, XRF spectrometers and spectra data handling methods have continuously improved, giving rise to many variations of the same technique; portable spectrometers, micro-probes, and large area scanners are all variations of a very flexible technique. This Special Issue collects papers dealing with most of the analytical techniques related to XRF spectroscopy appropriate for applications to Cultural Heritage materials. We dedicate this Special Issue to the loving memory of Professor Mario Milazzo, a pioneer of Archaeometry in Italy, awarded in 2002 the Gold Medal for Culture by the Italian President. He is remembered as a generous and pleasant man with an insightful, logical mind, who was able to find an appropriate joke for every situation. Many of us following his footsteps in the research field of applied physics for Cultural Heritage still appreciate his vision, teaching, and impact on our lives.

Research & information: general --- Physics --- MA-XRF --- conservation studies --- furniture --- Pietro Piffetti --- chinoiserie lacquered cabinet --- SAM --- STEAM --- pigments --- elemental mapping --- painting stratigraphy --- Giotto --- heritage science --- non-invasive analysis --- portable equipment --- pigment identification --- van der Weyden --- Flemish painting --- calco-potassic glass in painting --- INFN-CHNet --- Opificio delle Pietre Dure --- X-ray fluorescence --- synchrotron radiation --- µXRF --- µXANES --- black gloss --- ancient ceramics --- roman mortar --- historic mortar --- mosaic floors --- XRF --- Bracara Augusta --- Stradivari --- musical instrument --- mandolin --- varnish --- coatings --- multi-layered structure --- reflection FT-IR --- spectroscopy --- pXRF --- PCA --- pottery --- EDXRF --- cultural heritage materials --- pigment analysis --- ceramics classification --- metal alloy quantitative analysis --- n/a