Analysis of Salts

Author: Hans-Jürgen Schwarz

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Abstract

To determine the presence of a salt or visible damage from it, a wide variety of analytical methods are used. Methods presented here may allow a qualitative determination of individual ions or salt phasesa and/or quantitative determination of the salt-forming ions. The fundamental principle of each method, its application and advantages are briefly outlined.

Polarized light microscopy

With the help of a polarizing microscope, the various salts present can be identified through their optical properties. This includes in particular the study of the birefringence and light refraction of the salts. The polarizing microscope differs from a regular microscope in that it has two polarizers - the polarizer and the analyzer. The analyzer is used to recognize the optical properties of a salt by the change of the linearly polarized light due to the salt.

Micro-chemical testing

Micro-chemical testing allows to identify salts in very small samples. The micro-chemical salt analysis is based on the detection of individual ions in more or less concentrated aqueous solutions. The salts are identified via the reaction products that can be observed with a microscope at magnifications up to 100 times. The method can be used on site.

X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD)

XRD analysis allows both qualitative and quantitative salt analyses. When X-rays hit a crystalline material a series of "reflections" are produces which are characteristic for each phase like a "fingerprint". It is a laboratory method and the amount of the sample can be quite small when using special sample holders.

Atomic absorption spectroscopy(AAS)

The atomic absorption spectroscopy is a method that allows rapid and accurate quantitative determinations of many elements. Since the method relies on the specific energy absorption by free atoms, it can usually be used without prior separation or isolation steps of other elements present in the sample. The quantity of sample needed for analysis is low. Element concentrations of a millionth (ppm) or one billionth part (ppb) of the sample can be detected.

Inductive coupled plasma (ICP)

An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is a type of plasma source in which the energy is supplied by electric currents which are produced by electromagnetic induction, that is, by time-varying magnetic fields. It is used e.g., in atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or in mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The inductively coupled plasma uses in a the high-frequency field (27 MHz) ionized gas (argon), which serves as an atomization and excitation medium for the sample. It can be used to detect very low concentrations of the analysed elements in the order of one millionth (ppm) or one billionth part (ppb) in the sample.

Ion chromatography (IC)

Ion chromatography (or ion-exchange chromatography) is a process that allows the separation of ions and polar molecules based on their charge. It is a process for the separation of substances, and these are differently distributed between a stationary and a mobile phase. In ion chromatography, the ions bound to the stationary phase are later released by an eluent in the mobile phase. Quantification is achieved using a suitable detector. Using specific columns, both anions and cations are determined quatitativly in low concentrations.

the mathematical difference between the largest and smallest refractive index for an anisotropic mineral

X-ray diffraction

a method to determine chemical elements employing the absorption of optical radiation (light) by free atoms in the gaseous state.

In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. A very high heating over a few thousand K leads to ionization, thus turning it into a plasma, containing charged particles.

Inductive Coupled Plasma, method for analysing chemical elements.

carrier liquid or mobile phase of a gas