Urgent replacement of a powder X-ray diffractometer for multidisciplinary geoscience research

粉末x射线衍射（PXRD）是用于分析包括矿物在内的结晶固体的最基本技术之一。所使用的x射线辐射的波长与原子平面之间的间隔相对应，这意味着有关键合类型、化学成分、有序等信息都可以通过分析入射x射线衍射产生的图案而得到。由于晶体材料的化学和原子结构在许多方面都是独一无二的，因此它们产生的x射线衍射模式同样是独一无二的，这意味着粉末x射线PXRD可以成为分析材料的有力工具。在地球科学中，对岩石进行分析，既有原始岩石，也有随时间变化的岩石，后者是由压力、温度、化学等因素的变化引起的。使用PXRD进行研究的广泛目标是更好地了解岩石的地质环境及其所含矿物是如何随着时间的推移而演变的，从而为我们了解地球的历史提供见解。来自PXRD分析的数据也为了解矿石系统如何发展以及如何进行勘探提供了线索，主要是通过记录存在的矿物类型（例如硫化物矿石），但也通过描述与各种矿石系统相关的蚀变风格的矿物。此外，PXRD可以被认为是停止开采后矿山环境修复的必要条件，因为二次矿物的存在反映了相对的蚀变情况，而且这些数据也可以用于开发有效的矿山废水缓解方法。PXRD在地球科学研究中的应用包括识别存在的矿物及其模态丰度，这种组合提供了解决地质环境如何随时间演变所需的数据；量化这些特征将扩大我们关于地质演化如何发生的知识，但同样地，特定地质环境为什么和在哪里发展，包括矿物在哪里发生。目前正在申请资金以取代过时、过时的PXRD系统，该系统将能够分析大块岩石样品，但也可以分析少量蚀变矿物（涂层、细粒矿物）。这一结合将为从各种角度研究地质环境的地球科学领域的广泛用户提供机会：地球的早期历史、矿床的矿物学、以矿物勘探为目的的蚀变研究和与矿山有关的废物的补救。采矿和矿产勘探是加拿大国内生产总值的主要组成部分，所要求的仪器将在继续支持研究项目方面发挥关键作用，这些项目对于确保加拿大在采矿和矿产勘探方面保持在国际舞台上的强大角色至关重要。

Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) is one of the most basic techniques used in the analysis crystalline solids, including minerals. The wavelength of X-ray radiation used corresponds to spacings between planes of atoms, meaning information on bonding types, chemical composition, ordering, etc., can all be derived from analyzing the pattern produced through the diffraction of incident X-rays. Since the chemistry and atomic structure of crystalline materials are in many ways unique, the X-ray diffraction patterns they produce are equally unique, meaning that powder X-ray PXRD can be a powerful tool in fingerprinting the materials being analyzed. In the geosciences, analyses are made of rocks, both primary and those modified (altered) through time, the latter resulting from changes in pressure, temperature, chemistry, etc. The broad goal of research using PXRD is to better understand how geological environments of rocks and the minerals they contain, have evolved through time, thus providing insights into the history of our planet. Data from PXRD analyses also provide clues to understanding how ore systems develop and how they can be explored for, primarily by documenting the mineral types present (e.g., sulfide ores), but also by the minerals that characterize the styles of alteration associated with various ore systems. Further, PXRD can be considered essential to the remediation of mining environments after the cessation of operations, as the secondary minerals present reflect relative conditions of alteration, but also the data can be used to develop effective methods of mitigating mine effluent. The application of PXRD in geoscience research involves identifying the minerals present along with their modal abundances, this combination providing the data needed to address how geological environments evolve through time; quantifying these features will expand our knowledge as to how geological evolution occurs, but equally, why and where specific geological environments develop, including where mineral ores occur. Funds are being requested to replace a dated, obsolete PXRD system that will have the capacity to analyze rock samples in the bulk form, but also small quantities of materials of alteration minerals (coatings, fine-grained minerals). This combination will provide access to a broad range of users in the geosciences conducting research into geological environments from a variety of perspectives: Earth's early history, the mineralogy of ore deposits, alteration studies directed at mineral exploration and the remediation of mine-related wastes. Mining and mineral exploration represent a major component of Canada's gross-domestic product and the requested instrumentation will play a key role in continuing to support research programs that are critical to ensuring Canada remains a strong player on the international stage when it comes mining and mineral exploration.