Micro X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer

深入了解复杂的矿物-水在上地壳的相互作用过程和元素的环境行为的可预测性，需要在流体/固体界面的个别反应机制的阐明。这些机制的定量评估是柏林工业大学应用地球化学组的一个中心研究目标。这种研究方法反过来又需要使用现代光谱和显微镜方法。除了传统的实验室方法外，还采用了最先进的同步加速器方法。作为对柏林工业大学现有分析基础设施的补充，将建立一个微相分析实验室，为定量表征矿物相及其化学成分提供可能性，包括具有低检测限的高空间分辨率的痕量元素和同位素特征，以及确定流体的痕量元素含量。实验室应包括三个主要组成部分：1）高性能X射线衍射仪和微衍射（μXRD），可识别粉末样品中的矿物相，并在抛光矿物/岩石切片上进行空间分辨。2）强大的X射线荧光分析和μ焦点（μXRF），可非破坏性地以高空间分辨率量化地质材料的化学成分。3）强大的激光ICP质谱仪（LA-ICP-MS），其能够对地质材料进行高分辨率微量元素分析，确定所选元素的同位素比率，并可用于水样的微量元素分析。未来的研究项目，将重点用于以下领域的矿物/水的相互作用过程：（一）地热能系统，（二）污染物在所谓临界区的迁移、转化和滞留，（三）古气候重建。

An in-depth understanding of the complex mineral-water interaction processes in the upper earth's crust and a predictability of the environmental behavior of elements requires the elucidation of individual reaction mechanisms at the fluid/solid interface. The quantitative assessment of these mechanisms is a central research goal of the Applied Geochemistry Group at TU Berlin. This research approach in turn requires the use of modern spectroscopic and microscopic methods. In addition to conventional laboratory methods, state-of-the-art synchrotron-based methods are also used.Complementary to the existing analytical infrastructure of the TU Berlin, a laboratory for microphase analysis will be set up, which offers the possibilities to quantitatively characterize mineral phases and their chemical composition, including trace elements and isotope signatures in high spatial resolution with low detection limits and to determine trace element contents of fluids. The laboratory should consist of three main components:1) High-performance X-ray diffractometry with micro diffraction (μXRD) that identifies mineral phases both in powder samples and spatially resolved on polished mineral/rock sections.2) A powerful X-ray fluorescence analysis with μ-focus (μXRF), with which it is possible to quantify the chemical composition of geomaterials nondestructively and in high spatial resolution.3) A powerful Laser ICP Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS), which enables a high-resolution trace element analysis of geomaterials, determines isotope ratios of selected elements and can be used for the trace element analysis of water samples.Future research projects in which the micro techniques will be used focus on mineral/water interaction processes in the following areas: (i) geothermal energy systems, (ii) transport, transformation and retention of pollutants in the so-called critical zone, (iii) paleoclimate reconstruction.