A new technique to automatically quantify microstructures of fine grained carbonate mylonites: two-step etching combined with SEM imaging and image analysis

Herwegh, Marco (2000). A new technique to automatically quantify microstructures of fine grained carbonate mylonites: two-step etching combined with SEM imaging and image analysis. Journal of structural geology, 22(4), pp. 391-400. Pergamon 10.1016/S0191-8141(99)00165-0

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A two-step etching technique for fine-grained calcite mylonites using 0.37% hydrochloric and 0.1% acetic acid produces a topographic relief which reflects the grain boundary geometry. With this technique, calcite grain boundaries become more intensely dissolved than their grain interiors but second phase minerals like dolomite, quartz, feldspars, apatite, hematite and pyrite are not affected by the acid and therefore form topographic peaks. Based on digital backscatter electron images and element distribution maps acquired on a scanning electron microscope, the geometry of calcite and the second phase minerals can be automatically quantified using image analysis software. For research on fine-grained carbonate rocks (e.g. dolomite calcite mixtures), this low-cost approach is an attractive alternative to the generation of manual grain boundary maps based on photographs from ultra-thin sections or orientation contrast images.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geological Sciences

UniBE Contributor:

Herwegh, Marco

Subjects:

500 Science > 550 Earth sciences & geology

ISSN:

0191-8141

Publisher:

Pergamon

Language:

English

Submitter:

Marco Herwegh

Date Deposited:

04 Aug 2016 14:58

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:50

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/S0191-8141(99)00165-0

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.73896

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/73896

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