The use of FTIR methods for rapid determination of contents of mineral and biogenic components in lake bottom sediments, based on studying of East Siberian lakes

Technique for estimation of contents of the major components of lake bottom sediments using single peak analysis procedure has been developed. The technique allows estimation of biogenic silica (BSi), total inorganic carbon (TIC), total organic carbon (TOC) and quartz and feldspars content in bottom sediments. The calibration models are based on the following spectral regions: bands at 646 cm −1 (feldspars), 695 cm −1 (quartz), 874 cm −1 (TIC); the range from 818 to 835 cm −1 (BSi), the range of C–H vibrations (2800–3000 cm −1 ) (TOC). The technique has been probed for a number of Eastern Siberian lakes and results are compared with the data of other methods. It has been shown that the use of single peak analysis procedure allows very rapid FTIR estimation of the major components content in bottom sediments with accuracy, which is acceptable for many tasks.