Issue 12, 2023

Non-destructive distinction between geogenic and anthropogenic calcite by Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning workflow

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, the possibility of distinguishing between geogenic and anthropogenic calcite in a non-destructive and effective way. Geogenic calcite derives from natural sedimentary and metamorphic rocks whereas anthropogenic calcite is formed artificially due to the carbonation process in mortars and plaster lime binders. Currently, their distinction is a major unaddressed issue although it is crucial across several fields such as 14C dating of historical mortars to avoid contamination with carbonate aggregates, investigating the origins of pigments, and studying the origins of sediments, to name a few. In this paper, we address this unmet need combining high-resolution micro-Raman spectroscopy with data mining and machine learning methods. This approach provides an effective means of obtaining robust and representative Raman datasets from which samples’ origins can be effectively deduced; moreover, a distinction between sedimentary and metamorphic calcite has been also highlighted. The samples, chemically identical, exhibit systematic and reliable differences in Raman band positions, band shape and intensity, which are likely related to the degree of structural order and polarization effects.

Graphical abstract: Non-destructive distinction between geogenic and anthropogenic calcite by Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning workflow

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
21 Mar 2023
Accepted
12 May 2023
First published
30 May 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Analyst, 2023,148, 2861-2870

Non-destructive distinction between geogenic and anthropogenic calcite by Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning workflow

S. Calandra, C. Conti, I. Centauro and E. Cantisani, Analyst, 2023, 148, 2861 DOI: 10.1039/D3AN00441D

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