Raman-XPS Spectroscopy, REE Chemistry, and Morphological Studies of Detrital Zircon and Monazite – Implications for Metamict State and Provenance

Abstract

Abstract A combination of advanced characterisation techniques was applied to study the structure, chemistry, and surface morphological features of detrital zircon and monazite grains from the coasts of Varkala and Kovalam situated in the south-west part of India, showing implications to their metamict state, Rare Earth Element (REE) chemistry, and provenance. Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Ultraviolet-Visible-near- IR (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopic techniques were used to detect the disorder in crystal structure due to self irradiation damage. The rare earth, radioactive, and trace elements present in these minerals were identified using high resolution inductively coupled mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS). These studies are also complimented by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis for understanding the morphological features. The present study depicts a low degree of metamictization in natural detrital zircon and monazite grains with information regarding their REE chemsitry and the surface morphological changes that occurred due to mechanical impacts caused during transportation and deposition. These vivid datasets of information facilitate the mining industry and scientific community for determining their grades.