Integrated Spectronics PIMA-I instrument (Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer) measures the reflectance at wavelengths from 1300 to 2500 nm with a spectral sampling interval of 2 nm. The non-destructive in situ infrared spectroscopy can detect all common clay minerals as well as phosphates, carbonates, zeolites and sulphates. The spectra produced are interpreted by computer using digital mineral libraries. SWIR (short-wave infrared) spectroscopy is commonly used for identification of clay minerals in sandstone cements in addition to XRD.

Summer Student Paul Stewart analyzing clay samples.