Developing of the image segmentation methods to rock microcracks analysis

The paper is concerned with the development and application of an automatic algorithm of image analysis for detection of intercrystalline microcracks in dolomite structures in the laboratory conditions. Thin sections of dolomite rock samples were duly prepared. For each measurement field on thin sections we considered a set of input color images obtained using an optical polarizing microscope with different polarization set-ups. Then color system transformation was performed, followed by rock grain and intercrystalline microcracks segmentation for each color image. The results confirm the adequacy of the applied method of image analysis in the segmentation of the microscope images of intercrystalline microcracks in dolomites. The newly-developed algorithm may facilitate the petrographical and stereological studies of rock structures.