Sourcing flint from Sweden and Denmark. A pilot study employing non-destructive energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

is article presents the results of a pilot study exploring the feasibility of using non-destructive energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry for the chemical sourcing of flint from three geographical areas: eastern Denmark and southwestern Sweden (Stevns Klint, Møns Klint, Södra Sallerup), south and southwestern Sweden (Klagshamn, Östra Torp, Smygehuk) and southeastern Sweden (Hanaskog). The EDXRF results showed that the flint samples from Stevns Klint are all chemically alike on the basis of Si/Ca/Fe and Ca/Fe ratio data, even though they possess markedly different visual qualities and are of different geological ages. e samples from Södra Sallerup, Sweden, and Stevns Klint, Denmark, are chemically similar. Since the chalk slabs at Södra Sallerup were re-deposited by glacial ice, the results of the chemical analysis may indicate that they originated from the same formation that emerges
at Stevns Klint. The samples from Klagshamn, Östra Torp and Smygehuk are visually alike and bear the same chemical signature; all three originate from the same geological formation of Danian age but are from different localities. The Common Kristianstad Flint (Hanaskog) is distinctive in appearance and the results of the EDXRF instrumental analysis yielded a corresponding unique
Ca/Fe chemical signature. In summary, the pilot study successfully revealed distinctions among the flint samples.