Calibration of the XRF-Estimated CaCO3 Content in the Western Tropical Pacific Deep-Sea Sediments

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning, which can be used for the rapid, high-resolution measurement of elements in marine sediments, is advantageous because multiple elements can be simultaneously analysed. However, the use of XRF scan data as quantitative data has limitations. The XRF scanning measures element intensities (cps) of sediments instead of element contents (wt%). In addition, the element intensities are influenced by physical properties, such as water content and lithification. The objective of this study is to establish a calibration method for quantifying the CaCO 3 content from XRF Ca data based on comparisons between XRF Ca and inorganic carbon measured CaCO 3 contents.