Application of ion beam analysis and refined sample preparation techniques to the study of aeolian dust samples from north-west Australia

Abstract

Ion beam analysis (IBA) can provide extremely accurate data on the elemental composition of dust samples. However, recent analysis of dust samples collected from SE Australia using a range of sample collectors have demonstrated that considerable uncertainty may exist in the interpretation of results because of uncertainties associated with the sample preparation methods. This current study focuses on refining the methods used for preparing dust samples for analysis; it also considers probable source areas for entrained dust in order to minimise additional uncertainties which may be introduced when assumptions about sample composition are made during mathematical treatment of the IBA data. © 2009 AINSE