Determination of Mineral Contents in Meukek Marble Using XRD and SEM-EDS Analysis

Marble is a metamorphic rock that has been widely used in many applications. In general, it is composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the minerals present in the marble sample from Meukek area, South Aceh. The mineral identification was conducted by using the X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). The morphological and elementary analysis was carried out by using Scanning Electron Microscopy supported with Energy Dispersed Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Based on the XRD pattern data analysis, it was revealed that the marble sample from Meukek area in South Aceh mainly consists of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The SEM-EDS analysis indicated the presence of 55.479% Oxygen (O), 0.249% Magnesium (Mg), 1.197% Aluminium (Al), 0.716% Silicon (Si), 0.202% Sulphur (S), 1.388% Potassium (K) and 40.769% Calcium (Ca) elements in Meukek marble. The highest element contents were shown by Oxygen (O) and Calcium (Ca). It confirmed that calcite is the major mineral phase composed in Meukek marble.