Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1819
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1819
14 Aug 2023
 | 14 Aug 2023

Using Internal Standards in Time-resolved X-ray Micro-computed Tomography to Quantify Grain-scale Developments in Solid State Mineral Reactions

Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, Damien Freitas, James Gilgannon, Sohan Seth, Ian B. Butler, Gina Elisabeth McGill, and Florian Fusseis

Abstract. X-ray computed tomography has established itself as a crucial tool in the analysis of rock materials, providing the ability to visualise intricate 3D microstructures and capture quantitative information about internal phenomena such as structural damage, mineral reactions, and fluid-rock interactions. The efficacy of this tool, however, depends significantly on the precision of image segmentation, a process that has seen varied results across different methodologies, ranging from simple histogram thresholding to more complex machine learning and deep learning strategies. The irregularity in these segmentation outcomes raises concerns about the reproducibility of the results, a challenge that we aim to address in this work.

In our study, we employ the mass balance of a metamorphic reaction as an internal standard to verify segmentation accuracy and shed light on the advantages of deep learning approaches, particularly their capacity to efficiently process expansive datasets. Our methodology utilises deep learning to achieve accurate segmentation of time-resolved volumetric images of the gypsum dehydration reaction, a process that traditional segmentation techniques have struggled with due to poor contrast between reactants and products. We utilise a 2D U-net architecture for segmentation and introduce machine learning-obtained labelled data (specifically, from random forest classification) as an innovative solution to the limitations of training data obtained from imaging. The deep learning algorithm we developed has demonstrated remarkable resilience, consistently segmenting volume phases across all experiments. Furthermore, our trained neural network exhibits impressively short run times on a standard workstation equipped with a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). To evaluate the precision of our workflow, we compared the theoretical and measured molar evolution of gypsum to bassanite during dehydration. The errors between the predicted and segmented volumes in all time-series experiments fell within the 2 % confidence intervals of the theoretical curves, affirming the accuracy of our methodology. We also compared the results obtained by the proposed method with standard segmentation methods and found a significant improvement in precision and accuracy of segmented volumes. This makes the segmented CT images suited for extracting quantitative data, such as variations in mineral growth rate and pore size during the reaction.

In this work, we introduce a distinctive approach by using an internal standard to validate the accuracy of a segmentation model, demonstrating its potential as a robust and reliable method for image segmentation in this field. This ability to measure the volumetric evolution during a reaction with precision paves the way for advanced modelling and verification of the physical properties of rock materials, particularly those involved in tectono-metamorphic processes. Our work underscores the promise of deep learning approaches in elevating the quality and reproducibility of research in the geosciences.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

09 Apr 2024
Using internal standards in time-resolved X-ray micro-computed tomography to quantify grain-scale developments in solid-state mineral reactions
Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, Damien Freitas, James Gilgannon, Sohan Seth, Ian B. Butler, Gina Elizabeth McGill, and Florian Fusseis
Solid Earth, 15, 493–512, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-493-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-493-2024, 2024
Short summary
Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, Damien Freitas, James Gilgannon, Sohan Seth, Ian B. Butler, Gina Elisabeth McGill, and Florian Fusseis

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1819', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 Sep 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1819', Richard A. Ketcham, 23 Oct 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1819', Luke Griffiths, 03 Nov 2023
    • RC4: 'Reply on RC3', Luke Griffiths, 03 Nov 2023
      • AC4: 'Reply on RC4', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1819', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 Sep 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1819', Richard A. Ketcham, 23 Oct 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1819', Luke Griffiths, 03 Nov 2023
    • RC4: 'Reply on RC3', Luke Griffiths, 03 Nov 2023
      • AC4: 'Reply on RC4', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, 08 Dec 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Roberto Emanuele Rizzo on behalf of the Authors (18 Dec 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (19 Dec 2023) by Federico Rossetti
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (20 Jan 2024)
ED: Publish as is (30 Jan 2024) by Federico Rossetti
ED: Publish as is (30 Jan 2024) by Federico Rossetti (Executive editor)
AR by Roberto Emanuele Rizzo on behalf of the Authors (14 Feb 2024)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

09 Apr 2024
Using internal standards in time-resolved X-ray micro-computed tomography to quantify grain-scale developments in solid-state mineral reactions
Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, Damien Freitas, James Gilgannon, Sohan Seth, Ian B. Butler, Gina Elizabeth McGill, and Florian Fusseis
Solid Earth, 15, 493–512, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-493-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-493-2024, 2024
Short summary
Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, Damien Freitas, James Gilgannon, Sohan Seth, Ian B. Butler, Gina Elisabeth McGill, and Florian Fusseis

Data sets

Deep learning model Roberto Emanuele Rizzo https://doi.org/10.7488/ds/7493

Volumetric data for sample VA17 Florian Fusseis https://doi.org/10.16907/8ca0995b-d09b-46a7-945d-a996a70bf70b

Volumetric data for sample VA19 Florian Fusseis https://doi.org/10.16907/a97b5230-7a16-4fdf-92f6-1ed800e45e37

Model code and software

Scripts and data for recreating the figures Roberto Emanuele Rizzo https://doi.org/10.7488/ds/7493

Roberto Emanuele Rizzo, Damien Freitas, James Gilgannon, Sohan Seth, Ian B. Butler, Gina Elisabeth McGill, and Florian Fusseis

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Short summary
This study leverages deep learning for accurate segmentation of volumetric images in rock material analysis, specifically during the gypsum dehydration reaction. Utilizing a 2D U-net architecture and mass balance of a metamorphic reaction as an internal standard, the method demonstrated improved precision, accuracy, and efficiency over traditional techniques, opening new avenues for advanced modeling in geosciences.