Best of the Week: Hawaiian Geology, Meteorite Clues, Cat Food

This week, Spectroscopy published articles highlighting recent studies in several application areas in analytical spectroscopy, including astronomy, geology and mineralogy, and food analysis. Key techniques highlighted in these articles include longwave infrared (LWIR) spectroscopy, shortwave IR spectroscopy (SWIR), Raman spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Happy reading!

Analyzing Hawaii’s PTA-2 Drill Core With LWIR and SWIR Spectroscopy

In Part I of our interview with Pooja Sheevam, who recently conducted her PhD at the University of Nevada, she discusses her team’s analysis of the Hawaii PTA-2 subsurface drill core, focusing on mafic mineralogy. Using both long-wave infrared (LWIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy, they identified key minerals like Ca-feldspars, pyroxenes, and olivine in shield basalts and revealed how alteration affects spectral signatures (1). Sheevam explains in this clip how LWIR and SWIR complement each other in characterizing mineral phases and how her study also integrated scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to understand mineral textures and confirm elemental retention during alteration processes (1).

Raman Reveals Rare Ribbeck Meteorite Clues About Ancient Solar System

On January 21, 2024, asteroid 2024 BX1 entered Earth's atmosphere and fell near Ribbeck, Germany, creating the Ribbeck meteorite. Scientists from Adam Mickiewicz University analyzed over 200 fragments using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry (2). They identified pure enstatite, forsterite, and albite, which are all key indicators of a rare, coarse-grained aubrite formed under extremely low-oxygen conditions (2). Trace minerals and metallic nodules revealed signs of ancient metamorphism and atmospheric entry effects. Unique strewn field geometry and minimal weathering make Ribbeck scientifically valuable (2). This study strengthens connections between aubrites and ancient Solar System processes, linking the meteorite to reduced bodies like asteroid 3103 Eger.

Ancient Meteorite Reveals Space Weathering Secrets Through Cutting-Edge Spectroscopy

A research team at INAF-IAPS in Rome used seven advanced spectroscopic techniques to analyze the CM2 carbonaceous chondrite NWA 12184, aiming to reveal its native mineralogy and effects of space weathering. Their study, published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science, identified key minerals and hydration features, and distinguished between solar wind-induced and terrestrial alterations (3). By simulating solar wind with helium ion irradiation, the team observed spectral changes similar to those in asteroid samples from Ryugu (3). These findings help decode the history of water-rich C-type asteroids and enhance interpretation of asteroid sample-return missions like OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 (3).

New Study Finds Elevated Metal Levels in Some Cat Foods Sold in Sharjah

A study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis evaluated 52 cat food products sold in Sharjah, UAE, for heavy metal content using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) (4). This study was led by Lucy Semerjian of the University of Sharjah. The research found that 30% of tested samples, particularly dry foods, exceeded international safety limits for metals such as aluminum, copper, and zinc (4). Meat-based formulas showed higher contamination than chicken or fish-based ones (4). With pet ownership and the pet food market growing rapidly in the UAE, the study urges manufacturers to enhance quality control and regulatory agencies to enforce stricter standards.

New Raman and AI Technique Rapidly Assesses Maple Syrup’s Antioxidants On-Site

A research team led by Professor Xiaonan Lu at McGill University developed a fast, eco-friendly method to measure antioxidant capacity in maple syrup using Raman spectroscopy and deep learning. Traditional chemical assays are slow and resource-intensive, but this new approach delivers accurate results in under a minute without sample preparation (5). The method performed well with both benchtop and portable devices, suggesting that on-site applications are feasible (5). With maple syrup production rising in Canada, this new method helps support quality control, regulatory inspections, and transparent labeling. Further validation is needed, and the researchers hope to expand the method’s use to other antioxidant-rich foods (5).

References

1. Wetzel, W. Analyzing Hawaii’s PTA-2 Drill Core With LWIR and SWIR Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/analyzing-hawaii-s-pta-2-drill-core-with-lwir-and-swir-spectroscopy (accessed 2025-05-29).
2. Workman, Jr., J. Raman Reveals Rare Ribbeck Meteorite Clues About Ancient Solar System. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/raman-reveals-rare-ribbeck-meteorite-clues-about-ancient-solar-system (accessed 2025-05-29).
3. Workman, Jr., J. Ancient Meteorite Reveals Space Weathering Secrets Through Cutting-Edge Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/ancient-meteorite-reveals-space-weathering-secrets-through-cutting-edge-spectroscopy (accessed 2025-05-29).
4. Wetzel, W. New Study Finds Elevated Metal Levels in Some Cat Foods Sold in Sharjah. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-study-finds-elevated-metal-levels-in-some-cat-foods-sold-in-sharjah (accessed 2025-05-29).
5. Wetzel, W. New Raman and AI Technique Rapidly Assesses Maple Syrup’s Antioxidants On-Site. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-raman-and-ai-technique-rapidly-assesses-maple-syrup-s-antioxidants-on-site (accessed 2025-05-29).