Chemometric characterization studies of marbles by atomic absorption spectrometry

A method is proposed for the characterisation of marble samples used in his torical buildings in Bursa, Turkey. Determination of heavy metals such as C u, Pb, Ag, Ni, Mn, Cd, Zn, Fe, Co and Mg in original marbles have been carr ied out by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and Na and K by atomic emis sion spectrophotometer. Information about geographical origin is often requ ired of marble samples. In order to obtain such information, principal comp onent analysis, correlation analysis and cluster analysis techniques can be used as valid tools for processing series of data from chemical analysis. The techniques were applied to the raw and standardised data, showing diffe rent clusters related to the origin of marble samples. Some predictions abo ut the origin of samples are made and showing the potential of chemometric techniques and their possible contribution to the characterisation of marbl es used in historical buildings.