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Ti-Bearing Phases in the Huber Formation, an East Georgia Kaolin Deposit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Paul A. Schroeder  and
Jason Shiflet
Paul A. Schroeder
Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Department of Geology, 210 Field Street, Athens, Georgia 30602-2501, USA
Jason Shiflet*
Affiliation:
University of Georgia, Department of Geology, 210 Field Street, Athens, Georgia 30602-2501, USA
*
†Present address: Zapata Engineering, P.A., 1100 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 104, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204, USA.
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Abstract

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Six kaolin samples from the Lower Tertiary Huber Formation near Wrens, Georgia were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis, and magnetic susceptibility to characterize the Ti-bearing phases. Selected samples were treated with 5 M NaOH to remove kaolinite and concentrate the Ti-bearing phases for additional analysis. TiO2 content in the bulk fraction ranges from 1.2 to 5.4 wt. %. There are at least three Ti-bearing phases, including anatase, rutile, and a poorly defined nanocrystalline form. Anatase is most abundant and is commonly found with {010} faces in association with kaolinite edge and basal faces. The nanocrystalline form occurs at 0–1 wt. %, and rutile occurs in trace amounts. Bulk XRD analysis correlates well with the bulk TiO2 chemical measurements. Average anatase unit-cell parameters are a = 0.37908 ± 0.0002 nm and c = 0.951 ± 0.001 nm. These parameters indicate an approximate chemical formula of Fe3+0.05Ti4+0.95O1.95(OH)0.05.

The distribution of TiO2 content as a function of depth may be useful to obtain original grain-size variations associated with relative sea-level changes responsible for the deposition of the Huber Formation. Evidence for original depositional sediment properties can be seen in the occurrence of pseudomorphic replacement of micas and fecal pellets by kaolinite. Additional evidence for post-depositional changes includes the sub-micrometer euhedral character and low Fe content of the anatase (relative to soil-derived anatase). These observations for the Huber Formation are consistent with a previously published theory for kaolin genesis that includes biomineralization of originally coarser-grained aluminosilicates into a kaolinite-rich ore body.

Keywords

AnataseGeorgiaHuber FormationKaoliniteRutileTiO2TitaniumX-ray Diffraction
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 48 , Issue 2 , April 2000 , pp. 151 - 158
Copyright
Copyright © 2000, The Clay Minerals Society

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