Loss-of-ignition, elemental carbon and mineral data from a peat composite – from a method study for organic matter removal

Jenny Sjöström

This dataset contains the measured values of loss of ignition (LOI), residual elemental carbon and identified minerals from peat composite sub-samples subjected to different pre-treatments. The dataset was developed for a study aiming to find the most efficient and gentle, to the mineral component, method to remove organic matter (OM) from highly organic peat samples. The purpose of the study was to conduct mineral analysis of the inorganic residues by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.

Citation

Jenny Sjöström (2019) Loss-of-ignition, elemental carbon and mineral data from a peat composite – from a method study for organic matter removal. Dataset version 1. Bolin Centre Database. https://doi.org/10.17043/sjostrom-2019-method-1

References

Sjöström J, Bindler R, Granberg T, Kylander M (2018): Procedure for Organic Matter Removal from Peat Samples for XRD Mineral Analysis. Wetlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-018-1093-7

Data description

The data is provided in one xlsx file having four tabs: LOI and C, Chemical oxidation, Fig2, Fig3. The same data is also available in four separate csv files. All data files are included in one zip file.

"LOI and C" contains the weights of the samples prior and after combustion at different temperatures and, where measured, also the carbon content of the ash residues.

"Chemical oxidation" contains information about sample weight prior to wet oxidation, weight of Na₂S₂O₈ added, amount of water (ml) and weight of added clay standards and lastly, where measured, residual elemental carbon values after oxidation.

"Fig2" contains the XRD data from the first exploratory part of the study, ie the data from the XRD analysis of one sample subjected to different pre-treatments, as well as XRD data after analysis of different peat samples from Store Mosse oxidised with either H₂O₂ or Na₂S₂O₈. The results from this part of the study where used to design the next, replicate, part of the study where triplicates of a homogenised peat composite where subjected to either combustion at different temperatures or chemical oxidation by Na₂S₂O₈.

"Fig3" contains the data from XRD analysis of the replicates. For each treatment, three samples where used and analysed (in the figure only one representative sample is displayed). The sheet contains the XRD data of the analysed ash residues (combusted at either 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 or 550°C) as well as the XRD data of the chemically oxidised samples. In order to evaluate the effect on more sensitive clay minerals, clay standards where also added to some samples. These samples where also analysed by XRD and are also included in the sheet.

Comments

The dataset contains the measured values from the study: % LOI, residual elemental carbon values and identified minerals from a bulk peat composite subjected to different pre-treatments. Based on the result of the study we find that combustion (at 500°C) is the most efficient method to remove organic matter (OM) from this sample type and that this treatment leaves the majority of common dust minerals intact. For analysis and identification of sensitive clay mineral, chemical oxidation, by Na₂S₂O₈, can be applied. This method is less efficient in removing OM compared to combustion, but also leaves clay mineral phases intact.