Articles | Volume 35, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-35-21-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-35-21-2026
Technical development
 | 
26 Feb 2026
Technical development |  | 26 Feb 2026

Recommendations for using core X-ray fluorescence data on basaltic rock as a tool to assess compositional variability

Ashley M. Morris, Sarah Lambart, Carlos A. Alvarez Zarikian, John M. Millett, Morgan T. Jones, Sverre Planke, Peter Betlem, Sayantani Chatterjee, Marialena Christopoulou, Eric C. Ferré, Irina Y. Filina, Joost Frieling, Reed P. Scherer, Natalia Varela, Weimu Xu, and Stacy L. Yager

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Cited articles

Alvarez Zarikian, C. A., Yager, S. L., Harper, D. T., Christopoulou, M., Clementi, V. J., Varela, N., and Expedition 396 Scientists: Data Report: X-Ray Fluorescence Scanning of Site U1574, Vøring Plateau, IODP Expedition 396, Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, 396, https://doi.org/10.14379/iodp.proc.396.2023, 2024. 
Bourke, A. and Ross, P.-S.: Portable X-ray fluorescence measurements on exploration drill-cores: Comparing performance on unprepared cores and powders for “whole-rock” analysis, Geochem. Explor. Environ. Anal., 16, 147–157, https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2014-326, 2016. 
Bowman, E. E. and Ducea, M. N.: Pyroxenite melting at subduction zones, Geology, 51, 383–386, https://doi.org/10.1130/G50929.1, 2023. 
Dawson, H. L., Dubrule, O., and John, C. M.: Impact of dataset size and convolutional neural network architecture on transfer learning for carbonate rock classification, Comput. Geosci., 171, 105284, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2022.105284, 2023. 
Drake, B. L., MacDonald, B. L., and Shannon, R. F.: Introduction, In Advances in Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry: Instrumentation, Application and Interpretation, Roy. Soc. Ch., 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1039/9781839162695-00001, 2022. 
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Short summary
Choosing samples from large sections of hard-rock cores often relies on preliminary chemical analyses, which can be limited and therefore misrepresentative of full chemical variability. This study adapts X-ray fluorescence core-scanning techniques for use on hard-rock basalt cores to outline a method that provides accurate chemical information in greater detail relative to traditional analytical methods. The presented workflow suggests significant contributions to new and legacy core research.
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