Re-Visiting the Quantification of Hematite by Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy

Hematite concentration is an important climatic proxy for environmental (climatic) studies of soils and sediments. However, the accurate quantification naturally occurring hematite has always been a difficult question, especially those areas with lower concentrations. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) effective method identification detection limits. In this study, we synthesized set samples well-determined concentrations to explore exact detectable range propose most transfer function between DRS concentration. addition, natural sediments from Inland Asia Western Pacific Ocean were used further test feasibility new function. Results show that lowest limit could reach ~0.00078%, but affected by matrix. We also find second derivative Kubelka–Munk (K–M) monotonically correlated (0.00078%–100%), ambiguities exist first derivative. Therefore, K–M highly suggested quantification, when exhibits wide variations. This study provides references application promotes popularization development method.