Microscopic identification of salts

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Author: Hans-Jürgen Schwarz
English Translation by Sandra Leithäuser

back to Polarized light microscopy or Analysis of Salts


Abstract[edit]

This section describes the identification of salts using polarized light microscopy.

Method[edit]

The examination of salts can be carried out using several different methods, such as microscopy, spot test analysis, X-ray diffraction. It is important to determine both the anions and cations in the salt(s) and, if possible, the specific phases of the actual salts. In general, laboratories carrying out routine chemical analysis do not usually determine the presence of carbonate ions, and therefore this salt is not identified, although they are often present and can be responsible for the observed efflorescence and eventual deterioration.

Two different approaches to microscopic analysis of salts are presented here:

The first approach considers mainly the analysis of the salts, that is, the salt crystals actually taken from the object.

The second approach analyses the recrystallized salts obtained from the aqueous extraction of either the salts themselves or of a sample of the salt-contaminated material. Both possibilities lead to salt crystallizations that vary, depending on the different kind of salt, as described below. See also Micro-chemical testing.

Determination of individual salts in aqueous extract[edit]

Before the actual determination of salts, the sample to be examined (pure salt or material/salt mixture) is mixed with a few drops of distilled water, producing an aqueous extract as discussed by Bläuer. A few drops of this extract are placed onto a microscope slide and observed under the polarizing microscope. It is important to observe the crystallization of the salts from the beginning, i.e., from the appearance of the first small crystals until the end of the crystallization process. Only then, the right conclusions can be drawn, because salts that crystallize later may cover up some salts completely, and therefore their crystal shape may become difficult to recognize and to identify. The continuous documentation of the process is therefore an important option.

Halite (NaCl)[edit]

Figures 1-3 show halite crystals. Halite and sylvite (KCl) are the most commonly found isotropic salt crystals, i.e., belonging to the cubic crystal system in building materials. This does not mean that all crystals that appear isotropic on the microscope slide are cubic, like halite and sylvite. On the slide, some salts crystallize at an orientation that make them appear optically isotropic. Therefore caution is vital. In comparison with typical cubic crystal shapes, however, the identification is unambiguous.

Salt chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Halite NaCl nD=1.5443 cubic isotropic


Calcium chloride[edit]

Calcium chloride only crystallizes at relatively low relative humidity levels (pure salts at a RH <30, 8% and 20°C). Because the relative humidity on objects and in the laboratory usually lies above this value, calcium chloride will only rarely crystallize on an object. To have this salt crystallize so as to observe its crystals under the polarizing microscope, the slide with the solution has to be warmed up until they form. However, the crystals dissolve in the ambient air when the temperature cools down and the RH rises. Figures 4- 6 show calcium chloride crystals while warming.


Salt chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Antarcticite CaCl2•6H2O Δ= 0.024 no =1.417-1.494
ne = 1.393-1.550
trigonal negative


Niter[edit]

Salt Chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Niter KNO3 Δ = 0.171 α = 1.335
β = 1.505
γ = 1.506
orthorhombic biaxial negative

Calcium nitrate[edit]

Salt Chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Nitrocalcite

Magnesium nitrate[edit]

Salt Chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Nitromagnesite Mg(NO3)2•6H2O Δ = 0.166 nx = 1.34
ny = 1.506
nz = 1.506
monoclinic negative

Gypsum[edit]

Salt chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Gypsum CaSO4•2H2O Δ = 0.0092 α = 1.5207
β = 1.5230
γ = 1.5299
monoclinic biaxial positive

Magnesium sulfate[edit]

Salt chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Epsomite MgSO4•7H2O Δ = 0.0284 nx = 1.432
ny = 1.453
nz = 1.4609
orthorhombic biaxial negative

Sodium sulfate[edit]

Salt chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Thenardite Na2SO4 Δ = 0.015 nx = 1.468
ny = 1.473
nz = 1.483
orthorhombic positive

Sodium carbonate[edit]

Salt chemical formula Birefringence Refractive indices Crystal system Optical orientation
Natrite Na2CO3 Δ = 0.131 nx = 1.415
ny = 1.535
nz = 1.546
monoclinic biaxial negative

Sodium acetate[edit]

Weblinks[edit]