Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples

Abstract Settleable particulate matter (SPM) samples are characterised by having very similar qualitative compositions. Therefore, there is a need for a sensitive analysis method that can provide valid quantitative information when facing new research challenges. Establishing a valid and repeatable...

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Main Authors: Manuel Miguel Jordán, Francisco Pardo, Carlos Álvarez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97135-8
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author Manuel Miguel Jordán
Francisco Pardo
Carlos Álvarez
author_facet Manuel Miguel Jordán
Francisco Pardo
Carlos Álvarez
author_sort Manuel Miguel Jordán
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Settleable particulate matter (SPM) samples are characterised by having very similar qualitative compositions. Therefore, there is a need for a sensitive analysis method that can provide valid quantitative information when facing new research challenges. Establishing a valid and repeatable quantitative mineralogical analysis method is essential in order to establish limits to the concentration of certain mineral phases to, in turn, protect human health and ecosystems. An analytical and sample preparation protocol that can achieve the homogenisation of the standard and test samples has been designed, as well as the repeatability of the results obtained, with the following achievements: improving the samples’ level of homogeneity and the sensitivity in the detection of minority crystalline phases, and decreasing the likelihood of overlap. This study shows the possibility of applying the matrix-flushing adiabatic method to both oriented and randomly distributed samples, as well as the possibility of applying it interchangeably when preparing samples with finite or infinite thickness.
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spelling doaj-art-9fc968d3f7fd41e4a6d6d8c7396acfe72025-08-20T02:20:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-97135-8Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samplesManuel Miguel Jordán0Francisco Pardo1Carlos Álvarez2Department of Agrochemistry and Environment, Miguel Hernandez UniversityUniversidad Cardenal Herrera CEUDepartment of Agricultural and Natural Environment Sciences, University Jaume IAbstract Settleable particulate matter (SPM) samples are characterised by having very similar qualitative compositions. Therefore, there is a need for a sensitive analysis method that can provide valid quantitative information when facing new research challenges. Establishing a valid and repeatable quantitative mineralogical analysis method is essential in order to establish limits to the concentration of certain mineral phases to, in turn, protect human health and ecosystems. An analytical and sample preparation protocol that can achieve the homogenisation of the standard and test samples has been designed, as well as the repeatability of the results obtained, with the following achievements: improving the samples’ level of homogeneity and the sensitivity in the detection of minority crystalline phases, and decreasing the likelihood of overlap. This study shows the possibility of applying the matrix-flushing adiabatic method to both oriented and randomly distributed samples, as well as the possibility of applying it interchangeably when preparing samples with finite or infinite thickness.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97135-8MineralogySettleable particulate matterQuantitative mineralogical analysisX-ray diffractionMapping the elemental distributionMatrix-flushing method
spellingShingle Manuel Miguel Jordán
Francisco Pardo
Carlos Álvarez
Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
Scientific Reports
Mineralogy
Settleable particulate matter
Quantitative mineralogical analysis
X-ray diffraction
Mapping the elemental distribution
Matrix-flushing method
title Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
title_full Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
title_fullStr Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
title_full_unstemmed Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
title_short Quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
title_sort quantitative determination of the mineral content of settleable particulate matter samples
topic Mineralogy
Settleable particulate matter
Quantitative mineralogical analysis
X-ray diffraction
Mapping the elemental distribution
Matrix-flushing method
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97135-8
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