Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T17:04:15.282Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Chronostratigraphic distribution and genesis of palygorskite in Tertiary sediments of the Isfahan region, central Iran

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

S. Hojati ,
H. Khademi ,
J. M. Arocena ,
A. Faz Cano  and
S. Ayoubi
S. Hojati
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
H. Khademi*
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
J. M. Arocena
Affiliation:
Canada Research Chair in Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada V2N 4Z9
A. Faz Cano
Affiliation:
Agrarian Science and Technology Department, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 52.30203, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
S. Ayoubi
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
*
*E-mail: hkhademi@cc.iut.ac.ir
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

No comprehensive study has yet been conducted to determine the chronostratigraphic distribution of palygorskite in the Tertiary sediments of Iran. Thirty sediment samples of different Tertiary epochs were taken, based on the field observations and geological maps. The clay fraction of samples was then investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that sediments of the Miocene and Pliocene had large amounts of palygorskite whereas no trace of this mineral was found in the sediments from the Palaeocene, Eocene and Oligocene. Geochemical analyses revealed that sediments younger than the Oligocene had greater amounts of soluble Mg and H4SiO4 and a higher pH than those of the Palaeocene and Eocene. The stability diagram of the smectite-palygorskite system suggests that smectite is unstable and transforms to palygorskite in Neogene sediments. The SEM micrographs showed palygorskite as interwoven fibrous mats, coatings, pore-fillings and pore-bridging material in Neogene sediments. This textural evidence suggests a direct chemical precipitation of palygorskite by dissolution of silicates under the alkaline conditions. The results also suggest that geochemical conditions in the Early Tertiary era, represented by deep-sea conditions in central Iran, were not apparently favourable for palygoskite formation until the Late Oligocene.

Keywords

fibrous clayssmectitegeochemistrypalygorskite formationTertiary sedimentsIsfahan regionIran
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 47 , Issue 1 , March 2012 , pp. 11 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aba-Husayn, M.M. & Sayegh, A.H. (1977) Mineralogy of Al-Hasa desert soils. Clays and Clay Minerals, 25, 138–147.Google Scholar
Akbulut, A. & Kadir, S. (2003) The geology and origin of sepiolite, palygorskite and saponite in Neogene lacustrine sediments of the Serinhisar-Acipayam Basin, Denizli, SW Turkey. Clays and Clay Minerals, 51, 279–292.Google Scholar
Al-Juboury, A.I. (2009) Palygorskite in Miocene rocks of northern Iraq: environmental and geochemical indicators. Acta Geologica Polonica, 59, 269–282.Google Scholar
Aqrawi, A.A.M. (1993) Palygorskite in the recent fluviolacustrine and deltaic sediments of southern Mesopotamia. Clay Minerals, 28, 153–159.Google Scholar
Banaei, M.H., Bybordi, M., Moameni, A. & Malakouti, M.J. (2005) The Soils of Iran: New Achievements in Perception, Management and Use. Agricultural Research and Education Organization & Soil and Water Research Institute, 482 pp. (in Persian).Google Scholar
Birsoy, R. (2002) Formation of sepiolite-palygorskite and related minerals from solution. Clays and Clay Minerals, 50, 736–745.Google Scholar
Bolle, M.P. & Adatte, T. (2001) Palaeocene – early Eocene climatic evolution in the Tethyan realm: clay mineral evidence. Clay Minerals, 36, 249–261.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bouza, P.J., Simon, M., Aguilar, J., del Valle, H. & Rostagno, M. (2007) Fibrous clay mineral formation and soil evolution in Aridisols of northern Patagonia, Argentina. Geoderma, 139, 38–50.Google Scholar
Burnett, A.D., Fookes, P.G. & Robertson, R.H. (1972) An engineering soil at Kermanshah, Zagros Mountains, Iran. Clay Minerals, 9, 329–343.Google Scholar
Esteban-Cubillo, A., Pina-Zapardiel, R., Moya, J.S., Barba, M.F. & Pecharroman, C. (2008) The role of magnesium on the stability of crystalline sepiolite structure. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 28, 1763–1768.Google Scholar
Esteoule-Choux, J. (1984) Palygorskite in the Tertiary deposits of the Armorican Massif. Pp. 75–85 in: Palygorskite-Sepiolite: Occurrences, Genesis and Uses (A. Singer & E. Galán, editors), Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Farpoor, M.H. & Krouse, H.R. (2008) Stable isotope geochemistry of sulfur-bearing minerals and clay mineralogy of soils and sediments in Loot Desert, central Iran. Geoderma, 146, 283–290.Google Scholar
Furrer, M.A. & Soder, P.A. (1955) The Oligo-Miocene formation in the Qom region (central Iran). Pp. 266–277 in: Proceedings of the 4th World Petroleum Congress, Roma, Italy.Google Scholar
Gee, G.W. & Bauder, J.W. (1986) Particle size analysis. Pp. 383–412 in: Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1: Physical and Mineralogical Methods (K. Arnold, editor). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.Google Scholar
Griffin, R.A. & Jurinak, J.J. (1973) Estimation of activity coefficients from electrical conductivity of natural aquatic systems and soils extracts. Soil Science, 116, 26–30.Google Scholar
Gurel, A. (2008) Sedimentological and mineralogical investigation of the Late Miocene successions of Aktoprak Basin (central Turkey): implications for sediment source and paleoclimates. Clays and Clay Minerals, 56, 660–676.Google Scholar
Hallmark, C.T., Wilding, L.P. & Smeck, N.E (1982) Silicon. Pp. 263–273 in: Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties (A.L. Page, R.H. Miller & D.R. Keeny, editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.Google Scholar
Henderson, S.G. & Robertson, R.H.S. (1958) A Mineralogical Reconnaissance in Western Iran. Resource Use Ltd., Glasgow, UK.Google Scholar
Jackson, M.L. (1979) Soil Chemical Analysis Advanced Course. 2nd edition. Published by the author, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 895 pp.Google Scholar
Kadir, S. & Eren, M. (2008) The occurrence and genesis of clay minerals associated with Quaternary caliches in the Mersin area, southern Turkey. Clays and Clay Minerals, 56, 244–258.Google Scholar
Khademi, H. & Mermut, A.R. (1998) Source of palygorskite in gypsiferous Aridisols and associated sediments from central Iran. Clay Minerals, 33, 561–578.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Khormali, F., Abtahi, A. & Owliaei, H.R. (2005) Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic clay mineral successions of southern Iran and their palaeoclimatic implications. Clay Minerals, 40, 191–203.Google Scholar
Krinsley, D.B. (1970) A Geomorphological and Paleoclimatological Study of the Playas of Iran. Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Lim, C.H. & Jackson, M.L. (1982) Dissolution for total elemental analysis. Pp. 5–7 in: Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2. Chemical and Microbiological Properties (A.L. Page, R.H. Miller & D.R. Keeny, editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W.L. (1979) Chemical Equilibria in Soils. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 411 pp.Google Scholar
Llewellyn, P.G. (1973) Dezful geological compilation map no. 20507. Scale 1:250000. Geological and Exploration Division, Iranian Oil Operating Companies.Google Scholar
Mahjoory, R.A. (1979) The nature and genesis of some salt-affected soils in Iran. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 43, 1019–1024.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manouchehri, M. (1987) Mashhad geological quadrangle map of Iran no. K4. Scale 1:250000. Ministry of Industry and Mines & Geology Survey of Iran.Google Scholar
Nabavi, M.H. & Houshmandzadeh, A. (1978) Chupanan geological quadrangle map of Iran no. 6856. Scale 1:100000. Ministry of Industry and Mines & Geology Survey of Iran.Google Scholar
Naghshineh-Pour, B., Sheta, A.S. & Hendricks, D.M. (1989) The effects of sodium acetate buffer pretreatment on the clay minerals of some arid land soils and reference clays. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 20, 95–111.Google Scholar
Namik Cagatay, M. (1990) Palygorskite in the Eocene rocks of the Dammam Dome, Saudi Arabia. Clays and Clay Minerals, 38, 299–307.Google Scholar
Nelson, R.E. (1982) Carbonate and gypsum. Pp. 181–186 in: Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties (A.L. Page, R.H. Miller & D.R. Keeny, editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paquet, H. & Millot, G. (1972) Geochemical evolution of clay minerals in the weathered products in soils of Mediterranean climate. Pp. 199–206 in: Proceeding of the International Clay Conference (J.M. Serratosa, editor), Madrid, Spain.Google Scholar
Rhoades, J.D. (1982) Soluble salts. Pp. 167–180 in: Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties (A.L. Page, R.H. Miller & D.R. Keeny, editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Samadian, A. (1996) Chabahar geological quadrangle map of Iran no. 8140. Scale 1:100000. Ministry of Industry and Mines & Geology Survey of Iran.Google Scholar
Sengör, A.M.C., Altiner, D., Cin, A., Ustaömer, T. & Hsü, K.J. (1988) Origin and assembly of the Tethyside orogenic collage at the expense of Gondwana Land. Pp. 119–181 in: Gondwana and Tethys (Audley-Charles, M.G. & Hallam, A., editors). Geological Society Special Publication no. 37, Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Shadfan, H. & Dixon, J.B. (1984) Occurrence of palygorskite in the soils and rocks of the Jordan Valley. Pp. 187–198 in: Palygorskite-Sepiolite: Occurrences, Genesis and Uses (A. Singer & E. Galán, editors). Developments in Sedimentology, 37, Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Shadfan, H. & Mashhady, A.S. (1985) Distribution of palygorskite in sediments and soils of eastern Saudi Arabia. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 49, 243–250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singer, A. (1980) The palaeoclimatic interpretation of clay minerals in soils and weathering profiles. Earth Science Reviews, 15, 303–326.Google Scholar
Singer, A. (1981) The texture of palygorskite from the Rift valley, southern Israel. Clay Minerals, 16, 415–419.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singer, A. (1989) Palygorskite and sepiolite group minerals. Pp. 829–872 in: Minerals in Soil Environments (J.B. Dixon & S.B. Weed, editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.Google Scholar
Singer, A., Kristen, W. & Bühmann, C. (1995) Fibrous clay minerals in the soils of Namaqualand, South Africa: characteristics and formation. Geoderma. 66, 43–70.Google Scholar
Starkey, H.C. & Blackmon, P.D. (1984) Sepiolite in Pleistocene Lake Tecopa, Inyo County, California. Pp. 137–147 in: Palygorskite-Sepiolite: Occurrences, Genesis and Uses (A. Singer & E. Galán, editors). Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Stöcklin, J. & Setudehnia, A. (1991) Stratigraphic Lexicon of Iran. Geological Survey of Iran, Report No. 18.Google Scholar
Tateo, F., Sabbadini, R. & Morandi, N. (2000) Palygorskite and sepiolite occurrence in Pliocene lake deposits along the River Nile: evidence of an arid climate. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 31, 633–645.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tiessen, H., Roberts, T.L. & Stewart, J.W.B. (1983) Carbonate analysis in soils and minerals by acid digestion and two-end point titration. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 14, 161–166.Google Scholar
Weaver, C.E. & Beck, K.C. (1977) Miocene of the S.E. United States: a model for chemical sedimentation in a peri-marine environment. Sedimentary Geology, 17, 1–234.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yalcin, H. & Bozkaya, O. (1995) Sepiolite-palygorskite from the Hekimhan region (Turkey). Clays and Clay Minerals, 43, 705–717.Google Scholar
Zachos, J., Lohmann, K., Walker, J.C.G. & Wise, S.W. (1993) Abrupt climate change and transient climates during the Paleogene: a marine perspective. Journal of Geology, 101, 191–123.Google Scholar
Zahedi, M. (1976) Explanatory text of the Esfahan Quadrangle Map 1:250000. Geological Survey of Iran, 49 pp.Google Scholar
Zahedi, M. (1993) Shahrekord geological quadrangle map of Iran no. E8. Scale 1:250000. Ministry of Industry and Mines & Geological Survey of Iran.Google Scholar