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The Relationships between Kaolinite Crystal Properties and the Origin of Materials for a Brazilian Kaolin Deposit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Angélica F. Drummond C. Varajāo ,
Robert J. Gilkes  and
Robert D. Hart
Angélica F. Drummond C. Varajāo*
Affiliation:
DEGEO/EM/UFOP, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
Robert J. Gilkes
Affiliation:
Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6907, Australia
Robert D. Hart
Affiliation:
Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6907, Australia
*
E-mail of corresponding author: angelica@degeo.degeo.ufop.br
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Abstract

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The clay particles in a kaolin deposit from Brazil were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to examine the relationships between morphological and chemical properties of the crystals and to relate these properties to formation conditions. The XRD patterns show the dominant presence of kaolinite with minor amounts of gibbsite, illite, quartz, goethite, hematite, and anatase. ATEM observations show two discontinuities in the deposit as indicated by changes in morphology and size of the kaolinite crystals. At the base of the deposit, hexagonal platy and lath-shaped particles (mean area of 001 face = 0.26 μm2) maintain the original fabric of the parent rock which characterizes an in situ evolution. In the middle of the deposit a bimodal population of large (mean area of 001 face > 0.05 μm2) and small (mean area of 001 face < 0.05 μm2) sub-hexagonal platy kaolinite crystals occurs. This zone defines the boundary between the saprolitic kaolinite and the pedogenic kaolinite. Near the top of the profile, laths and irregular plates of kaolinite, together with sub-hexagonal particles, define two different depositional sources in the history of formation of the deposit. Crystal thickness as derived from the width of basal reflections and the Hinckley index are compatible with the morphological results, but show only one discontinuity. At the base of the deposit, kaolinite has a low- defect density whereas in the middle and at the top of the profile, kaolinite has a high-defect density. Likewise, EPR spectroscopy shows typical spectra of low-defect kaolinite for the bottom of the deposit and typical spectra of high-defect kaolinite for the other portions of the deposit. Despite the morphological changes observed through the profile, the elemental composition of individual kaolinite crystals did not show systematic variations. These results are consistent with the deposit consisting of a transported pedogenic kaolinite over saprolite consisting of in situ kaolinized phyllite.

Keywords

ATEMDefectEPRFormation ConditionKaoliniteMorphologySaproliteSoilXRD
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 49 , Issue 1 , February 2001 , pp. 44 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © 2001, The Clay Minerals Society

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