Analytical Skills

• Thin section Petrography: Petrographic observations were carried out using Leica DM 4500P polarizing microscope

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• Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG–SEM): SEM images provided information about the ultrastructure of clay minerals

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• X-ray diffraction (XRD): X-Ray diffraction peaks were studied to identify different clay minerals

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• Infra-Red (IR) Spectroscopy: IR spectra gave valuable insights about clay mineral structure

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• Mössbauer Spectroscopy: Mössabuer Spectra were studied to calculate Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio to undertake structural analysis

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• X-Ray Microscopy (XRM): XRM images revealed the internal structure of the clay mineral

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• Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA): The major element geochemistry of the clay minerals and substrates was determined using EPMA

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• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP–MS): Rare Earth Elements (REE) analysis was carried out using ICP-MS

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• 40Ar/39Ar dating of glauconite pellets yielding accurate ages