The chromatographic separation of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium ions applied to the identification of soluble salts in clays and clay products, and of efflorescent salts

Abstract

Paper and thin-layer chromatographic methods have been used to detect and identify the soluble salts in clays and in burnt clay bricks, and to characterise the efflorescent salts on clay building bricks.

Both techniques are simple and have advantages over conventional methods, especially with large numbers of samples. The novel thin-layer separation of the ions is more rapid and sensitive than that achieved by paper chromatography.