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Sand Compositional Analysis Using a Combined Geological and Spectroscopic Approach

Many minerals, such as calcite and magnetite, show diagnostic overtone and combination bands in the 350-2500 nm window. Sand, though an important unconsolidated material with great abundance on the Earth’s surface, is largely overlooked in spectroscopic studies. Over 100 sand samples were analyzed through traditional microscopic methods and compared to spectral reflectance collected via an ASD Spectroradiometer. Multiple methods were chosen to compare spectroscopic data to sand composition and grain size: 1) existing spectral indices, 2) continuum removal, 3) derivative analysis, and 4) correlation analysis. Particular focus was given to carbonate content. Results from derivative and correlation analysis showed strong correlations in the 2180-2240 nm and 2300-2360 nm windows to carbonate content. Proposed here is the Normalized Difference Carbonate Sand Index (NDCSI), which showed Pearson correlations of r=-0.78 for light-colored samples and r=-0.77 for all samples used. This index is viable for use with carbonate-rich sands. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_33493
ContributorsSmith, Molly E. (author), Oleinik, Anton E. (Thesis advisor), Zhang, Caiyun (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
PublisherFlorida Atlantic University
Source SetsFlorida Atlantic University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text
Format66 p., application/pdf
RightsCopyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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