Micro-PIXE analysis of framboidal pyrite and associated maceral types in oil shale

✍ Scribed by U.M. Graham; J.D. Robertson

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 704 KB
• Volume: 74
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-2361
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-2361(95)98355-i

✦ Synopsis

The elemental compositions of framboidal pyrite and associated maceral types of a Devonian oil shale were investigated using a micro-analysis particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. The majority of the PIXE analyses were performed using a 750 keV proton beam to investigate sulfur and iron concentrations. Trace metals in the framboids and associated macerals were analysed using a proton bombarding energy of 3 MeV. The S/Fe atomic ratios and trace element compositions of the framboids and associated bituminite and alginite macerals are compared and a mechanism of formation of framboids in shales is proposed. It is suggested that the formation of framboids may depend on the elemental concentration in the neighbouring organic phase, in this case the bituminite macerals.