Geochemical and mineralogical properties of sulfide-bearing fine-grained sediments in Finland

 The geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of bulk samples and various size fractions of sulfide-bearing fine-grained sediments in the Petalax area, western Finland, were studied with ICP-AES (aqua regia digestion and "total" digestion) and X-ray diffraction. The sediments, which are dominated by particles <0.06 mm (clay and silt size), are composed of phyllosilicates (micas, kaolinite, chlorite, vermiculite), quartz, feldspars, amphiboles, organic matter, and secondary S minerals. The chemical analyses show that Na, Ca, and Sr are enriched in the silt and sand fractions, that Zr is enriched in the silt fraction, and that the concentrations of all other studied metals (Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Nb, Ni, Sc, Th, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) increase from the sand to the clay fraction. Sodium, Ca, and Sr occur largely in poorly dissolved feldspars, which explains the distribution of these metals in the sediments. The increase in the concentrations of most metals in the clay fraction is interpreted to be the result mainly of an increase in phyllosilicates in this size fraction. A geochemical comparison between the sulfide-bearing fine-grained sediments and glacial till shows that the former are enriched in several potentially toxic metals. It is therefore argued that the hydrological and ecological problems associated with the sulfide-bearing sediments are related not only to the production of acidity in oxidized layers, but also to mobilization and dispersion of toxic metals. Strategies to minimize damage of freshwater systems in areas covered with sulfide-bearing fine-grained sediments are suggested. Received: 20 February 1997 · Accepted: 25 August 1997     

河北平原农田土壤重金属元素Pb、Hg地球化学行为的影响因素

土壤重金属元素地球化学行为是目前国内外研究的热点。研究显示重金属元素地球化学行为与土壤理化性质有密切关系。本文选择河北平原农田为研究区,采集了325个根系土样品,测定了Pb、Hg有效态含量,并探讨了影响其地球化学行为的主要因素。研究表明:(1)Pb、Hg水溶态和离子交换态与土壤p H值呈显著负相关关系,土壤酸化使Pb、Hg有效性增加,直接导致农作物中Pb、Hg含量增加,保持土壤p H值在弱酸性至弱碱性范围,防止土壤酸化,可以降低重金属危害。(2)土壤中有机质含量与Pb、Hg全量呈显著的正相关性,但与水溶态和离子交换态呈负相关。所以土壤中有机质的增加可以降低Pb、Hg元素水溶态和离子交换态含量。(3)随着土壤黏粒的增加,Pb、Hg水溶态和离子交换态含量降低,说明黏粒可以吸附一定量的重金属离子,与重金属元素Pb、Hg地球化学行为存在一定关系。土壤p H值、有机质、黏粒是控制重金属元素Pb、Hg地球化学行为的重要因素。     

Geochemical dissociation of major and trace elements in bed and suspended sediment phases of the phosphate mines effluent water, Jordan

The bed and suspended (slime) sediment phases associated with effluent water that are produced from phosphate-ore-upgrading process at Al-Abyad mine in the southern part of Jordan were analyzed chemically and mineralogically. The results show that the effluent water is highly oxic and mildly alkaline in nature. The geochemical behavior of each phase was controlled by the effluent water physicochemical parameters, sediment particle size, mineralogical constituents of the studied phases, and the prevailing climatic nature of the area. Bed sediments have higher concentrations of many elements than slime. Accordingly, the bed sediments can be considered as a sink rather than a pool for many elements. The geochemical dissociation of major oxides and trace elements between bed and slime sediments was evident using t test, particularly between P₂O₅, SiO₂, CaO, K₂O, Mn, Sr, Y, and Co, and to lesser extent, V, U, Zn, and Cr. This might be attributed to effluent water characteristics, mineralogy, and the presence of fine-grained materials. The spatial distribution of major oxide and trace element concentrations along the stream drainage exhibited a slight increase with distance either in bed or slime sediment phases. However, they increased suddenly at the last three sampling sites, which might be due to the abundance of fine-grained materials that are mainly composed of clay minerals (montmorillonite) that would enhance the adsorption process. Moreover, the XRD results confirmed the existence of elemental geochemical dissociation as a function of mineral control.     

Clay minerals in sediments of Portuguese reservoirs and their significance as weathering products from over-eroded soils: a comparative study of the Maranhão, Monte Novo and Divor Reservoirs (South Portugal)

The Southern region of Portugal is subjected to several forms of over-erosion. Most leached products, mainly composed of fine particles containing nutrients, metals or pesticides, are easily transported by river flows. When these are hindered by a physical barrier such as a dam, the particulate load accumulates on the bottom of the reservoirs, often leading to a pronounced decrease of water quality. Bottom sediments from three reservoirs were subjected to grain-size analysis and a study of clay minerals by X-ray diffraction. Most sediments contain a diverse set of clay minerals, mostly illites, smectites, chlorites and kaolinites. The nature of the clay minerals reflects the nature of the parent rocks. During the cycles of transport and temporary deposition, they may undergo significant chemical and physical transformations, which lead to an increase of expandable properties and therefore, to a higher cationic exchange capacity, determining its important role as vehicles of environmental pollutants.     

Sand and clay mineralogy of sal forest soils of the Doon Siwalik Himalayas

The peteromineralogical characterization of the soil was carried out for the 12 soil profiles exposed in the Shorea robusta dominated forests of the Siwalik forest division, Dehradun. The quartz was observed as the dominating light mineral fraction (64–80%) in all the profiles studied. Biotite, hornblende, zircon, tourmaline, rutile and opaques comprising of iron minerals constituted the heavy mineral fraction (20%). The mineralogy of both the sand and clay fractions revealed a mixed mineralogy. The clay minerals in the order of their dominance were vermiculite, illite, kaolinite and mixed layer minerals. The presence of vermiculite and illite in appreciable quantities indicates that these were synthesized from the K-rich soil solution, as orthoclase and micas were present in significant quantities in the sand minerals. The mineral suites identified in the study shows that the geological, climatological and topographical factors of the region collectively played a dominant role in their formation and transformation. After critical appraisal of the results, it may be deduced that the mineralogical composition, physicochemical properties and total elemental analysis of the soils do not show any deficiency of the bases and other plant nutrients in general. The inherent fertility of the soil is good as indicated by the sand and clay mineralogy of the soil and the biotite and feldspar together with the mica is an important source of nutrients for the vegetation in the soils of the Doon valley.     

Insight into the effects of clay mineralogy on the cyclic behavior of silt–clay mixtures

Results of a systematic testing program showed that the cyclic behavior of silt–clay mixtures is greatly influenced by the dominant clay minerals in the mixture. In particular, it was demonstrated that given the same amount of clay/clay mineral and/or same value of plasticity index, the montmorillonitic soils have the highest cyclic strength, followed by the illitic soils, and then by the kaolinitic soils. Moreover, the rate of increase in cyclic strength with increasing % clay mineral and PI is again the highest in the montmorillonitic soil, lowest in the kaolinitic soil and intermediate in the illitic soil. Therefore, without considering clay mineralogy, the % clay fraction, % clay mineral and plasticity index are unreliable indicators of the liquefaction susceptibility of fine-grained soils. The differing adhesive bond strength each clay mineral develops with the silt particles is deemed to largely explain the observed differences in the response of the three different soil mixtures to cyclic loading.     

Geochemistry of rare earth elements in the mainstream of the Yangtze River,China

Water, suspended matter, and sediment samples were taken from 8 locations along the Yangtze River in 1992. The concentration and speciation (exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to Fe–Mn oxides, bound to organic matter, and residual forms) of rare earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu) were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).The contents of the soluble fraction of REEs in the river are low, and REEs mainly reside in particulate form. In the particles, the chondrite-normalized distribution patterns show significant LREE enrichment and Eu-depletion. While normalized to shales, both sediments and suspended matter samples show relative LREE enrichment and HREE depletion. REEs are relatively enriched in fine-grained fractions of the sediments.The speciation characteristics of REEs in the sediments and suspended matter are very similar. The amount of the five forms follows the order: residual>>bound to organic matter∼bound to Fe–Mn oxides>bound to carbonates>>exchangeable. About 65 to 85% of REEs in the particles exist in the residual form, and the exchangeable form is very low. High proportions of residual REEs reveal that REEs in sediments and suspended matter are controlled by their abundances in the earth's crust. Carbonate, Fe–Mn oxide and organic fractions of REEs in sediments account for 2.4–6.9%, 5.2–11.1%, and 7.3–14.0% of the total contents respectively. They are similar to those in the suspended matter. This shows that carbonates, Fe–Mn oxides and organic matter play important roles during the particle-water interaction processes. By normalization to shales, the 3 forms of REEs follow convex shapes according to atomic number with middle REE (Sm, Eu, and Tb) enrichment, while light REE and heavy REE are depleted.     

Preliminary studies on the characterization of clay minerals in the Sundarban mangrove core sediments,West Bengal,India

Clay mineral found in rivers, estuaries, and marine sedimentary environments is an important group of minerals which is the by-product of chemical weathering. The main constituents of this fine-grained sediment include mudstones, clay stones, and shales. This is probably the first report of a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation on the clay minerals to characterize them in the Sundarban mangrove core sediments of Moipith Matla and Belamati Island. This study was carried out in the selected stretch for FTIR and SEM analyses. The study reveals the dominant association of kaolinite with subordinate amount of quartz, illite, and chlorite. The abundance of kaolinite, illite, chlorite, and clay with quartz helps in increasing the sediment in the island region. The geochemical and mineralogical evolution of mangrove sediment results in the interaction of biotic and abiotic parameters, whose balance is conditioned by the climate that governs the hydrologic regime, the sedimentation dynamics, and of the organic matter. This study on the characterization of clay provides substantial impact in the water-holding capacity, productivity, and mineralogical and chemical transformation in order to establish much more and intermediate equilibrium between marine influence and continental contribution, as a part of the estuarine environment.     

Mercury mobility at the Carson River Superfund Site, west-central Nevada, USA: Interpretation of mercury speciation data in mill tailings, soils, and sediments

The Carson River Superfund Site in west-central Nevada is an area of Hg-contaminated soil, sediment, water, air, and biola resulting from the amalgamation milling of Ag-Au ores of the Comstock lode worked approximately a century ago. In order to develop an understanding of the behavior, transport, and fate of Hg at this site, a technique was developed to estimate the proportions of total, elemental, exchangeable, organic, and sulfide Hg in soils, sediments, and tailings.Results of this analysis performed on active Carson River sediments indicate that Hg is selectively dissolved out of Hg-Au amalgam particles and subsequently adsorbed to fine-grained sediments which are then deposited in downstream, low-energy reaches of the Carson River and Labontan Reservoir. In the relatively more-reducing environment of the reservoir Hg appears to be converted, in large part, to relatively-insoluble HgS.The original elemental form of Hg released to the environment is the chemical form which is still dominant in most highly-contaminated soils, sediments, and tailings. Deeper, more-reducing soil horizons, however, appear to fix a significant portion of the Hg as HgS, analogous to the Lahontan Reservoir example described above. This fixation as HgS is documented to be largely limited to higher-sulfur areas where sulfide minerals from the Comstock ores increase the total sulfur concentrations of contaminated soils, sediments, and tailings.     

土壤和沉积物中NOM稳定性矿物学机制研究的理论与方法

土壤和沉积物中天然有机质(NOM)稳定性问题受到关注,主要是因为NOM的稳定性直接影响到大气中CO2的平衡与全球气候变化。此外,天然有机质还影响着土壤和沉积物中矿物的表面反应性、污染物的环境行为与生物有效性。因此,本综述在详细介绍土壤和沉积物中NOM稳定性矿物学机制研究的理论与方法的同时,也简略介绍了NOM的组成结构与反应性,并着重强调NOM/矿物微界面过程作用机制的重要性。许多研究表明,土壤和沉积物中NOM稳定性的矿物学机制主要包括矿物表面吸附和物理包裹。本综述目的是,介绍矿物保护的稳定NOM的分离、特性及其分析测定方法与技术,并且强调NOM稳定性矿物学保护机制系统性研究的重要性,以搞清矿物学保护机制在土壤和沉积物中NOM稳定保持中的贡献与重要性以及矿物学保护机制对天然有机质稳定性的调控作用,从而提高对土壤和沉积物环境生态的地球化学、矿物学的认识水平。     

Organic matter scavenging of copper, zinc, molybdenum, iron and manganese, estimated by a sodium hypochlorite extraction (pH 9.5)

The importance of trace metal scavenging by organic matter in geochemical samples was estimated using an alkaline sodium hypochlorite extraction to leach copper, zinc, molybdenum, iron and manganese from a variety of soils, and stream and lake sediments collected on the Nechako plateau, central British Columbia. The reagent oxidizes or dissolves most forms of organic matter, together with any sulphide minerals, to give strongly coloured extracts containing the associated trace elements at a pH where solution of other sample fractions is at a minimum. Metals precipitated due to alkaline conditions are redissolved by a succeeding distilled-water leach (pH 3.0 ± 0.3).A large fraction of the copper, zinc, molybdenum, and manganese held within the organic fraction of the A soil horizon is liberated whereas only minor amounts of copper, zinc, and manganese are released from inorganic soil (B and C) horizons. Molybdenum, however, is relatively soluble in all soils as the molybdate ion. Despite similar concentrations of organic matter in A horizon soils and stream sediments the latter release a lower proportion of their trace element content. Behaviour of the organic fraction of lake sediments varies from lake to lake and there is great variability in the association of copper, zinc, molybdenum and manganese with organic matter even within the same lake.The presence of organic matter in samples subjected to other partial extractions can be a deleterious factor if the organic fraction is not first removed by a hypochlorite extraction.     

A procedure for partitioning bulk sediments into distinct grain-size fractions for geochemical analysis

A method to separate sediments into discrete size fractions for geochemical analysis has been tested. The procedures were chosen to minimize the destruction or formation of aggregates and involved gentle sieving and settling of wet samples. Freeze-drying and sonication pretreatments, known to influence aggregates, were used for comparison. Freeze-drying was found to increase the silt/clay ratio by an average of 180 percent compared to analysis of a wet sample that had been wet sieved only. Sonication of a wet sample decreased the silt/clay ratio by 51 percent. The concentrations of metals and organic carbon in the separated fractions changed depending on the pretreatment procedures in a manner consistent with the hypothesis that aggregates consist of fine-grained organic- and metal-rich particles. The coarse silt fraction of a freeze-dried sample contained 20–44 percent higher concentrations of Zn, Cu, and organic carbon than the coarse silt fraction of the wet sample. Sonication resulted in concentrations of these analytes that were 18–33 percent lower in the coarse silt fraction than found in the wet sample. Sonication increased the concentration of lead in the clay fraction by an average of 40 percent compared to an unsonicated sample. Understanding the magnitude of change caused by different analysis protocols is an aid in designing future studies that seek to interpret the spatial distribution of contaminated sediments and their transport mechanisms.     

山西临汾-运城盆地土壤中As含量的变化规律

通过对临汾-运城盆地表层和深层土壤中As含量变化规律的研究,发现表层土壤的As含量稍高于全国土壤的背景值,不同相态的含量差异较大。土壤pH、磁化率、有机质、粘粒含量等理化性质对不同形态的As有着不同程度的影响：研究区水溶态的As受土壤pH值的控制,腐殖质结合态的As与有机质呈明显的正相关关系,磁化率、粘粒含量与土壤As的含量都有明显的正相关关系。研究结果表明,As与Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、Mg、K、F等元素的相关性非常显著,说明研究区表层土壤中的As主要是自然成因的。进一步的回归分析表明,土壤的As含量随着铁氧化物、氢氧化物和硫化物含量的增加而增加。研究区土壤As的纵向分布特点是中层多、上下层少,这可能与研究区As的污染状况、土壤的碱性环境、植物的吸收作用、磷肥的施用等因素有关。     

Mineralogical Associations of Arsenic and Antimony in Thirty Five Geochemical Reference Materials by Sequential Extraction with Hydride Generation and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A method is described to estimate the chemical forms of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) in a variety of geochemical reference materials, combining a sequential extraction scheme with hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The fractions dissolved by sequential extraction are empirically defined as the exchangeable, EDTA soluble, oxide, sulfide and residual fractions. The amount of As and Sb in the EDTA soluble fraction have been derived mainly from oxide phases, and partly from carbonate minerals. Most sulfide minerals in common geological samples were considered to be dissolved with the digestion of 0.7 mol l⁻¹ NaOCl, but only small fraction of arsenopyrite and loellingite in ores could be dissolved in this way. Satisfactory agreement was observed between the sum of the As or Sb values from exchangeable to residual fractions and the reported total As or Sb values, with a few exceptions. Analytical results of As and Sb for thirty five geochemical reference materials are tabulated, and geochemical and mineralogical features are discussed.     

The spatial distribution of potassium status and clay mineralogy in relation to different land-use types in a calcareous Mediterranean environment

In order to investigate changes caused in clay mineralogy and potassium (K) status by different land-use types, 42 soils samples (0–30 cm) were monitored and analyzed. Soil samples belonging to Reference Soil Groups of Cambisols and Vertisols were collected from three neighboring land uses involving cropland (under long-term continuous cultivation), grassland, and forestland. The soils reflected an alkaline and calcareous aspect as were characterized by high pH (mean of 7.1 to 7.5) and calcium carbonate equivalent (mean of 35 to 97 g?kg^?1) in the three land-use types. X-ray diffraction patterns of the clay fraction showed that the soils were mainly composed of illite, smectite, chlorite, and kaolinite. Chlorite and kaolinite remained unweathered irrespective of land use and soil types, soil processes, and physicochemical attributes assessed. Some changes in the XRD diffractograms of illite and smectite (the intensity or the position of peaks) were observed in the cultivated soils compared to those of the adjoining grassland that may explain the dynamics of the K trapped in illite interlayer sites. Potassium issues reflected a heterogeneous response to changes in land-use types. In light of this, a pronounced variation in soluble K (4–22 mg?kg^?1), exchangeable K (140–558 mg?kg^?1), and non-exchangeable K (135–742 mg?kg^?1) appeared among the land-use types for both Cambisols and Vertisols, corresponding to variability in clay content, nature and type of clay mineral (mainly illite and smectite), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). In general, the largest amounts of soluble K and exchangeable K were recorded in the forestland, whereas the highest contents of non-exchangeable K were found in the grassland for both Cambisols and Vertisols. Exchangeable K, available K, CEC, and clay contents in the soils with higher smectite values (25–50 %) were significantly different (P?≤?0.05) compared to those of the lower smectite values (10–25 %). This suggests that smectite is a major source for surface sorption of K in the studied soils.     

黑龙江五大连池市卧虎山农场土壤营养元素地球化学特征研究

为研究火山岩地区土壤中营养元素的浓度水平及其空间分布特征,选取黑龙江五大连池卧虎山农场为研究区,系统采集41件表层土壤样品,测试分析氮、磷、钾等植物营养元素以及有机质、pH值等15项指标,绘制元素地球化学图,掌握了该区营养元素含量的空间分布特征。根据相关标准,评价土壤中营养元素的丰缺水平。结果表明:(1)研究区为酸性土壤,土壤营养元素含量总体丰足,只有硼含量稍缺或缺乏;(2)土壤营养元素具有明显的空间分布规律,以卧虎山北部含量较高、跃进水库附近较低为特征;(3)研究区为温暖湿润条件下的中等化学风化,伴随着成土作用营养元素持续从岩石释放到土壤中,且有机质对土壤营养元素具有良好的吸附性。本研究为当地农业生产中养分的合理利用和农业种植规划提供了第一手数据资料。     

The problem of defining geochemical baselines. A case study of selected elements and geological materials in Finland

Although the term ‘geochemical baseline’ appears in the international geochemical mapping programmes IGCP 259 and 360, it has never been well defined. Several considerations relevant to such a definition are discussed. A geochemical baseline for an element refers to its natural variations in concentration in the surficial environment. Geochemical baselines were studied in Finland by comparing results from regional geochemical mapping programmes based on samples of till, clay and organic stream sediment. The geochemical background changes regionally with the basic geology and locally with the type and genesis of the overburden. Baseline concentrations depend on sample material collected, grain size and extraction method. In Finland, concentrations of potentially harmful elements tend to be higher in fine-grained marine and lacustrine sediments than in glacial till. Concentrations are also systematically higher in the < 0.06 mm fraction than in the < 2 mm size fraction of till samples. Only small proportions of the total heavy metal concentrations in Finnish marine clays are bioavailable. Geochemical baselines are needed for environmental legislation and political decision-making, especially in the assessment of contaminated soil. In many areas of Finland, natural concentrations of several heavy metals exceed the guide or limit values designated for contaminated soils. Thus baselines must always be verified in any assessment of sites for contamination.     

Assessing the control exerted by soil mineralogy in the fixation of potentially harmful elements in the urban soils of Lisbon,Portugal

The main purposes of this study are the textural, chemical and mineralogical characterization of the urban soils of Lisbon and the identification of probable relations between the several soil properties. The results are used to infer which soil properties control the superficial dispersion of potential harmful elements to human health. Soil sampling was carried out in 51 selected sites all through the city, under the criterion that such sites should be spaces usually frequented by children. The concentrations of 42 elements in the >2 mm soil size fraction were determined at a commercial laboratory in Canada (ActLabs, LTD), by ICP-MS/ICP-OES after an acid digestion with aqua regia. The soil mineralogy was determined by X-ray diffraction in the <2 and <62 μm size fractions. The results indicate that the urban soils have mainly a sandy texture and a main mineralogical assemblage of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase and calcite. In terms of clay minerals, smectite, illite and kaolinite are the main clays in the soil. Smectite and illite show a dichotomy in their distribution, with the smectites prevailing in the soils of the volcanic complex of Lisbon, which are classified as being residual, and illite prevailing in the remaining soils, which are considered mainly as man-made soils. Smectite seems to exert an important role in the fixation of Ni and Cr. The results of the geochemical study show that Ni and Cr have concentrations above the soil guideline value established to the UK and pose a probable risk to human health.     

Clay mineralogy of the ocean sediments from the Wilkes Land margin,east Antarctica: implications on the paleoclimate,provenance and sediment dispersal pattern

Core U1359 collected from the continental rise off Wilkes Land, east Antarctica, is analyzed for the clay mineralogy and carbon content. The temporal variation of the clay mineralogical data shows a dominance of illite with chlorite, smectite and kaolinite in decreasing concentration. Clay mineral illite is negatively correlated with smectite which shows enrichment during 6.2–6.8, 5.5–5.8, 4.5 and 2.5 Ma. The mineralogical analyses on the silt size fraction (2–53 μm) of some selected samples were also carried out. The combined result of both the size fractions shows the presence of chlorite and illite in both size fractions, smectite and kaolinite only in clay size fraction (<2 μm) and similarity in the crystallinity and chemistry of illite in both fractions. Similar nature of illite in both fractions suggests negligible role of sorting probably due to the deposition from the waxing ice sheet. During times of ice growth, nearby cratonic east Antarctica shield provided biotite-rich sediments to the depositional site. On the other hand, the presence of smectite, only in the clay size fraction, suggests the effective role of sorting probably due to the deposition from distal source in ice retreat condition. During times of ice retreat, smectite-rich sediment derived from Ross Orogen is transported to the core site through surface or bottom water currents. Poor crystallinity of illite due to degradation further corroborates the ice retreat condition. The ice sheet proximal sediments of U1359 show that in the eastern part of Wilkes Land, the ‘warming’ was initiated during late Miocene.     

Residual strength of slip zones of large landslides in the Three Gorges area, China

Slip zones of the large landslides in the Three Gorges area are commonly composed of fine-grained soils with substantial amount of coarse-grained particles, particularly gravel-sized particles. In this study, residual strength of the soils from slip zones of these landslides were examined in relation to their index properties based on a survey of 170 landslides. It was found that laboratory-determined residual friction angle using gravel-free fraction of the disturbed soils from the slip zones was closely related to clay content, liquid limit and plasticity index. On the other hand, in-situ residual friction angle of these soils (i.e. including gravel fraction) showed very weak correlations with clay content and Atterberg limits, but was largely dependent on gravel and fines (clays + silts) contents, increasing with gravels and decreasing with fines, and displayed strong linear correlation with the ratio of gravel to fines contents. These observations indicate that among the index properties, clay content and Atterberg limits can be used to estimate residual strength of the soils finer than 2 mm, but they are not appropriate evaluate the residual strength of the soils containing considerable amount of gravel-sized particles. For the latter, particle size distribution (particularly the ratio of gravel to fines contents) appears to be a useful index. Additionally, it was found that there was no identifiable correlation between relative abundance of individual major clay minerals and residual friction angles of both gravel-free fraction of disturbed and in-situ soils, suggesting that influence of clay minerals on residual strength of these soils can not be simply evaluated based on their abundance.