A method for applying matrix corrections to X-ray intensity maps using theBence-Albee algorithm and Matlab

Matlab scripts that apply the Bence & Albee (1968) matrix correction algori thm to X-ray intensity data collected as element maps on a Cameca SX-50 mic roprobe are used to produce two-dimensional maps of oxide weight percent an d cation proportions for SiO2 Al2O3, FeO, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O and K2O. Once generated, large data sets of mapped oxide weight percent values or cation numbers that retain spatial information can be used petrologically. The te chnique is used to evaluate the compositional range of barroisitic amphibol e in an eclogite from New Caledonia, to examine aspects of equilibration du ring the partial hydration of the eclogite facies mineral assemblage.