The determination of the calcite : aragonite ratio in mollusc shells by X-ray diffraction

Abstract

By measuring the integrated line intensity on a Philips' X-ray diffractometer in place of the peak intensity and by paying due regard to the ease with which aragonite converts to calcite during cleaning and grinding operations, the proportion of calcite and aragonite in a pure calcium carbonate shell can be determined to within 1% of the total in less than 30 minutes.