Exploring Silicate-Rich Minerals in Mangguliling Nature Park: A Microscopy and Diffraction-Based Study

Abstract

This study aims to identify and classify the mineral content of rock samples collected from the Mangguliling Nature Park, Segeri District, Pangkajene and Islands Regency. Various characterization techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Optical Microscopy, were applied to determine the elemental composition, crystalline structure, and surface morphology of the samples. The SEM-EDS analysis revealed that the dominant elements in Melati 01 were oxygen (O), carbon (C), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), and iron (Fe), while in Melati 02, the primary elements included oxygen (O), silicon (Si), carbon (C), and aluminium (Al). XRD analysis identified Albite, Quartz, and Aluminium Oxide as the main crystalline phases in Melati 02. ImageJ-based optical microscopy confirmed the presence and area distribution of these minerals. The crystallinity of the sample was determined to be 55.53%, suggesting a polycrystalline nature with moderate amorphous content. This study confirms that the dominant rock type in the area is feldspar-rich silicate rock, with potential geological and material science significance.