Tracking Metamorphic Dehydration Reactions in Real Time with Transmission Small- and Wide-Angle Synchrotron X-ray Scattering: the Case of Gypsum Dehydration

We present a review of a unique non-destructive method for the real-time monitoring of phase transformations and nano-pore evolution in dehydrating rocks: transmission small- and wide-angle synchrotron X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). It is shown how SAXS/WAXS can be applied to investigating rock samples dehydrated in a purpose-built loading cell that allows the coeval application of high temperature, axial confinement, and fluid pressure or flow...