Infrared Spectra for Mineral Identification

The use of solid infrared spectroscopy is shown to greatly augment the use of x-ray diffraction spectra for mineral identification. Moreover, the method alone is helpful in analyzing dust samples of interest in the occupational health field. Some of the literature in this area is reviewed. Qualitative infrared spectra for mineral identification are presented for actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, tremolite, gedrite, quartz, cristobalite, tridymite, kaolin, vermiculite, corundum, hematite, magnetite, muscovite, pyrophyllite, talc, antigorite, serpentine, and chrysotile.