The analytical technique of micro-probe XRF analysis has been applied for many years in many disciplines of Geoscience, particularly in mineralogy, geochemistry, planetary science and paleontology. The technique can probe geological materials in a non-destructive way with relatively good spatial resolution (~0.05 mm) and analytical sensitivity (~1-10 μg/g). The accuracy and precision of this quantitative analysis on geological materials can give answers to wider geological problems. The micro-beam offers the opportunity to quantify the elemental abundances of even small diameter minerals and construct elemental distribution maps. This advantage can be utilized in the detection of precious (e.g. Au) and critical metals (REE, Nb, V) in mining industry, as well as hazardous heavy metal contaminations (U, Th) in geological materials. Moreover, the identification and quantification of minor and trace element abundances with high sensitivity in fossils and meteorites can give new insights in the classification of chondritic meteorites and in provenance studies.
Recently, the micro-XRF spectrometer of the XRF laboratory was successfully applied in the research study of critical metals in minerals of economic importance for the industry. More specifically it was utilized to prove the association of Nb content with the Ti/Fe-rich phases (e.g. ilmenites) in the Nisyros volcanic coastal sands, whereas REE and Th spatial associations were also revealed by studying the geochemistry of allanite-bearing Mediterranean coastal sands from Northern Greece.