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Diagenetic Development of Kaolinite

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Clays and Clay Minerals

Abstract

Experimental solubility data for gibbsite and kaolinite are reviewed and applied to the problem of gibbsite stability within the natural environment. It is concluded that free alumina compounds formed (only) in lateritic soils will tend to silicify spontaneously in all sedimentary environments. This metasomatic reaction should be accompanied by massive volume expansion: unusual textures are to be anticipated.

Petrographic and field descriptions of a number of ancient kaolinitic sediments (some with, some without free alumina) are reviewed. It is concluded that silicification of hydrated aluminum oxides was an important mechanism of kaolinite formation in ancient sediments and that free alumina compounds persist only as a result of the unusual volume expansion associated with kaolinite formation.

Résumé

Les données concernant la solubilité expérimentale de la gibbsite et de la kaolinite sont passées en revue et appliquées au problème de la stabili’e de la gibbsite dans l’environnement naturel. On en conclut que les composés à alumine libre formés (seulement) dans les sols latéritiques tendront à se silicifier spontanément dans tous les environnements sédimentaires. Cette réaction métasomatique devrait être accompagnée d’une expansion massive du volume: des textures inhabituelles sont donc à attendre.

Les descriptions pétrographiques et de terrain d’un certain nombre de sédiments kaolinitiques anciens (certains avec, certains sans alumine libre) sont passées en revue. On en conclut que la silicification des oxydes d’aluminium hydrat’es a été un mécanisme important pour la formation de kaolinite dans les sédiments anciens, et que les composés à alumine libre persistent seulement en tant que résultat de l’expansion en volume inhabituelle, associée à la formation de kaolinite.

Kurzreferat

Es werden experimentelle Lòslichkeitsdaten für Gibbsit und Kaolinit überprüft und auf das Problem der Stabilität von Gibbsit in natürlicher Umgebung angewendet. Es wird der Schluss gezogen, dass (ausschliesslich) in lateritischen Böden gebildete freie Tonerdeverbindungen dazu neigen werden in allen Sedimentärumgebungen spontan zu verkieseln. Eine solche metasomatische Reaktion würde von massiver Volumenausdehnung begleitet werden. Ungewöhnliche Gefüge sind zu erwarten.

Es werden petrographische und Feldbeschreibungen einer Anzahl alter kaolinitischer Sedimente (manche mit, manche ohne freie Tonerde) überprüft. Es wird der Schluss gezogen, dass Verkieselung hydratisierter Aluminiumoxyde ein wichtiger Vorgang bei der Kaolinitbildung in alten Sedimenten war und dass freie Tonerdeverbindungen nur als eine Foloe der ungewöhnlichen, mit der Kaolinitbildung verbundenen Volumenausdehnung weiter vorhanden sind.

Резюме

Рассмотрены и применены для решения проблемы устойчивости гиббсита в природной обстановке экспериментальные данные по растворимости гиббсита и каолинита. Сделан вывод, что соединения свободного глинозема, образованные (только) в латеритовых почвах, будут иметь тенденцию к спонтанной силисификации в любой среде в осадках. Эта реакция замещения должна сопровождаться значительным увеличением объема; при этом можно ожидать появления необычных текстур.

Проанализированы петрографические данные и условия залегания ряда древних каолинитовых осадков со свободным глиноземом и без него. Авторы пришли к заключению, что силисификация гидратированных окислов алюминия является важным механизмом образования каолинита в древних осадках и что соединения свободного глинозема сохраняются только благодаря необычному увеличению объема при образовании каолинита.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, The University, Sheffield, S1 3JD, England

    C. D. Curtis & D. A. Spears

  2. The Department of Geology, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif., 90024, USA

    C. D. Curtis

Authors
  1. C. D. Curtis
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  2. D. A. Spears
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Curtis, C.D., Spears, D.A. Diagenetic Development of Kaolinite. Clays Clay Miner. 19, 219–227 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1971.0190403

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1971.0190403

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