Analysis of speleothems by electron and X-ray microprobes

A piece of stalagmite from a cave in Winthertore, Belgium, was analysed by the use of capillary tabletop and synchrotron versions of X-ray microprobes and then by the electron microprobe. The potential of these microprobes wa s tested for the first time in the study of such specific periodic objects. Indirect measurements of the morphology/density of samples were made by th e use of Compton and Rayleigh scattered radiation in the X-ray tabletop mic roprobe and a selected channel in white scattered radiation in the X-ray sy nchrotron microprobe. In the electron microprobe, the linear profile extrac ted from the grey-scale transformation of the secondary electron image was used for the same purpose. The elemental analyses were superimposed on the density characteristics of the samples. The inclusions of iron and silicon, measurements of the magnesium/ calcium/strontium/barium ratio, profiles of anionic species and the noticeable presence of iodine were among the most important findings. Some of the measured parameters probably allow the crea tion of thermometric scales for the potential estimation of the climatic co nditions during the deposition of the calcite material.