XRF Core Scanner
The Aberystwyth XRF Core Scanner
Rapid chemical and density analysis of sediment cores
Available to academic, research and commercial users worldwide
The Itrax® X-Ray Fluorescence core scanner provides very high-resolution, non-destructive elemental analysis of sediment cores, in a few hours. Density and colour information is provided through X-radiography and digital RGB optical imagery. Scan resolution can be set to 200 µm intervals, providing element concentrations in the range Al - U within 10-18 hours for a 1 m sediment core. The effective XRF spot size is 0.2 x 4mm. Data evaluation, analysis and plotting is carried out with dedicated software, or can be output in spreadsheet formats. Soil cores, peat, speleothems, wood, rock samples, and archaeological artefacts may also be analysed. Further information is available from the manufacturers, Cox Analytical Systems.
The Aberywstwyth XRF core scanner is available to academic, research and commercial users worldwide. Costs range from £220 - £600 per day, depending on user requirements. Potential users should contact Dr Henry Lamb or Dr Sarah Davies. We are happy to run test samples for pilot projects to form the basis of a grant application, and to discuss collaborative projects. Users can either send their cores to Aberystwyth to have them scanned by us, or visit the Core Scanner Lab to undertake their own scans.
Applications of the XRF core scanner include:
- Rapid detection of volcanic tephra layers in lake sediments
- Sub-mm scale analysis and counting of sediment laminae (varves)
- Detecting metal pollutants (Pb, Zn, Cu) in lake and fluvial sediments
- Determining past erosion intensity from element ratios
- Weathering and leaching indices
- Past variation in hypolimnetic anoxia in lakes
- Sr/Ca and U/Ca ratios as palaeoclimate indicators in carbonate sediments