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The origins of kaolinite-rich rocks associated with coal measures in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

Qinfu Liu ,
D. A. Spears ,
Pengfei Zhang  and
Hongliang Xu
Qinfu Liu*
Affiliation:
Department of Resource Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, P.R., China
D. A. Spears
Affiliation:
Environmental & Geological Sciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS3 7HF, UK
Pengfei Zhang
Affiliation:
Department of Resource Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, P.R., China
Hongliang Xu
Affiliation:
Department of Material Science & Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R.China
*
*E-mail: lqf@cumtb.edu.cn
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Abstract

Kaolinite-rich rocks are widespread in Chinese coal-bearing strata. Three main types of deposits are recognized. Those deposits identified as flint clays are several metres thick and show lateral variations in bed composition. The kaolinite is thought to have formed mainly on the adjacent landmass, but some crystallization of gels within the basin is not ruled out. Tonsteins, which formed from the in situ alteration of airfall volcanic ashes, are very common in the coal measures and are up to 0.5 m thick. Finally, kaolinite deposits are described where the development of kaolin is related to weathering of coals either close to or at the present land surface.

Keywords

kaolinite depositstonsteinflint claysoft kaolinChinese coal measures
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 36 , Issue 3 , September 2001 , pp. 389 - 402
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2001

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