Clay petrology of the Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic terrestrial strata of the Newark Supergroup,Connecticut Valley,U.S.A.

The clay mineralogy of the Newark Supergroup (Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic) in the Connecticut Valley was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Clay minerals identified in 126 samples are illite, chlorite, smectite, kaolinite, vermiculite, expandable chlorite, mixed-layer illite/smectite, mixed-layer chlorite/smectite, and mixed-layer chlorite/vermiculite. In general, the rocks are illitic with subordinate amounts of chlorite. However, the various lithofacies in the Newark Supergroup are characterized by distinct clay-mineral assemblages. Red beds of floodplain origin contain clays mainly of detrital nature with 2M illite most abundant. Subordinate amounts of chlorite, smectite, vermiculite, kaolinite and mixed-layer illite/smectite are also present. An interstratified chlorite/vermiculite occurs in red mudstone underlying basalt flows. Lacustrine gray beds are generally characterized by the clay-mineral assemblage 1Md illite + chlorite with minor amounts of smectite ane expandable chlorite. An interstratified chlorite/smectite predominates in gray mudstone associated with perennial lake cycles in the East Berlin Formation. Black shales of deeper lacustrine origin contain the assemblage 1Md ifillite + trioctahedral smectite and traces of chlorite. Illite and smectite also occur as mixed-layer phases.In many respects, the distribution of clay minerals in the Connecticut Valley can be likened to the general scheme proposed for the Permo-Triassic basins of Europe and Africa. These display both vertical and horizontal variations in clay-mineral assemblages that reflect the chemical and spatiotemporal evolution of intrabasin depositional and diagenetic environments. Chemical data indicate that magnesium, especially, was concentrated in the black muds of large perennial lakes that intermittently occupied the Connecticut rift valley. Pore waters derived from these sediments played an important role in the development of Mg-rich 2 : 1 and interstratified clay minerals during early diagenesis.     

广西东攀剖面二叠系顶部粘土矿物特征及古气候意义

对广西东攀剖面二叠系顶部20个样品中的粘土矿物进行X射线衍射分析。伊利石结晶度值显示这些样品形成于中晚成岩带的地质环境;伊利石、蒙脱石纵向分布规律和伊利石结晶度与伊利石含量的关系表明伊利石除陆源碎屑来源外,可能有部分为蒙脱石伊利石化而成;伊利石结晶度变化曲线和伊蒙混层类型的变化规律表明,本区粘土矿物组合与含量的变化除受到后期成岩作用的影响外,还明显地受沉积因素的控制;伊利石结晶度、伊利石化学指数、高岭石和伊利石的含量、伊蒙混层类型显示东攀剖面以9、10层界线上方5cm为界,古气候由干冷变为湿暖;水介质由偏碱性向酸性转变。     

Platform-induced clay-mineral fractionation along a northern Tethyan basin-platform transect: implications for the interpretation of Early Cretaceous climate change (Late Hauterivian-Early Aptian)

High-resolution clay-mineral analyses were performed on upper Hauterivian to lower Aptian sediments along a platform-to-basin transect through the northern Tethyan margin from the Neuchâtel area (Switzerland), to the Vocontian Trough (France) in order to investigate links between climate change, carbonate platform evolution, and fractionation patterns in clay minerals during their transport.During the Hauterivian, the northern Tethyan carbonate platform developed in a heterozoan mode, and the associated ramp-like topography facilitated the export of detrital material into the adjacent basin, where clay-mineral assemblages are dominated by smectite and kaolinite is almost absent, thereby suggesting dry-seasonal conditions. During the Late Hauterivian Balearites balearis ammonite zone, a change to a more humid climate is documented by the appearance of kaolinite, which reaches up to 30% of the clay fraction in sediments in the Vocontian Trough. This prominent change just preceded the Faraoni Oceanic Anoxic Event and the onset of the demise of the Helvetic Carbonate Platform, which lasted to the late early Barremian.From the Late Barremian onwards, the renewed growth of the northern Tethyan carbonate platform in a photozoan mode and the associated development of a marginally confined platform topography fractionated the clay-mineral assemblages exported into hemipelagic settings: kaolinite particles were preferentially retained in proximal, platform settings, due to their size and their relatively high specific weight. In the inner platform environment preserved in the Swiss Jura, an average of 32% of kaolinite in the clay fraction is observed during the latest Barremian–earliest Aptian, whereas clay-mineral assemblages of coeval sediments from deeper depositional settings are dominated by smectite and show only minor amounts of kaolinite.This signifies that besides palaeoclimate conditions, the morphology and ecology of the carbonate platform had a significant effect on the distribution and composition of clay assemblages during the Late Hauterivian–Early Aptian along the northern Tethyan margin.     

The roles of pedogenesis and diagenesis in clay mineral assemblages: Lower Cretaceous fluvial mudrocks,Nova Scotia,Canada

Clay mineral assemblages in alluvial mudrocks are important for paleoclimatic interpretation and for understanding burial diagenetic cementation in sandstones, but it is commonly difficult to unravel the relative importance of source weathering, pedogenesis and diagenesis in their origin. The clay mineral assemblages in fluvial overbank mudrocks from the Lower Cretaceous Chaswood Formation in central Nova Scotia, investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis of the < 2 µm fraction of 45 samples, include kaolinite, illite, vermiculite, and mixed layer kaolinite/expandable clay and mica/vermiculite. The assemblages vary with depositional facies. Wetland organic-rich mudrocks have large amounts of amorphous material and kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral. In the eastern part of the basin, where overbank mudrocks were episodically uplifted by syn-sedimentary strike-slip faulting, cumulate ultisol and alfisol paleosols are common. In the ultisols, hematite is enriched and kaolinite increases at the expense of illite in the B horizon. Alfisols contain more illite and vermiculite and the B horizon is enriched in goethite. In the western part of the basin, where thin sandstones with abundant diagenetic kaolinite cement are interbedded with the mudrocks, the distinctive clay mineral assemblage of mica/vermiculite mixed layer, vermiculite with 15.5 Å peak, and kaolinite/expandable mixed layer clay with a 17.7 Å peak is interpreted to result from bacterially-mediated oxidation of organic matter below the paleo-water table during early burial diagenesis. Deeper burial diagenesis may lead to slightly higher kaolinite crystallinity. Volcanic ash appears to alter to kaolinite/expandable mixed layer clay with a 7.9 Å peak. Comparison with the continuously subsiding and rapidly accumulated Wessex Formation of southern England, formed at a similar paleolatitude, shows the strong role of pedogenic processes and early diagenesis by meteoric water in development of clay mineral assemblages in the locally tectonically uplifted Chaswood Formation.     

临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物中坡缕石的发现及其环境气候意义

为揭示临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物的矿物组成对环境气候的指示意义, 利用X射线衍射和扫描电子显微分析方法, 对临夏盆地晚渐新世的沉积物的矿物组成以及坡缕石的矿物学特征进行了深入的研究.结果表明, 沉积物中的坡缕石主要为自生成因, 极少量具有碎屑成因.自生成因的坡缕石呈细长丝状的形态特征, 往往沿片状的伊/蒙混层粘土矿物颗粒的边缘交代、生长;碎屑成因的坡缕石呈平直细纤维状的, 以单颗粒形式产出, 与细小的粘土矿物颗粒混杂, 或叠合在片状粘土矿物颗粒的表面.在临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物中, 下段岩层中的粘土矿物组合为伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土和高岭石;中段岩层的为伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土;而上段岩层则为伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土和绿泥石, 反映在盆地形成之后, 气候演化经历从湿润→冷干的变化过程.而沉积物中坡缕石的含量自下而上逐渐增多, 其分布特征与粘土矿物组合所反映的气候环境变化趋势相吻合.伊利石和伊/蒙混层粘土普遍存在于临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物中, 伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土和高岭石的共存表明这些粘土矿物具有不同的来源.坡缕石是干旱、半干旱地区泥灰岩风化以及风成沙漠尘土沉积物的特征矿物, 临夏盆地晚渐新世的沉积物中碎屑成因坡缕石的发现, 表明自~9Ma以来便出现风成黄土的沉积.      

Clay minerals in sediments of the hydrothermally active southern trough in the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California)

The results of the study of clay mineral alterations in Upper Pleistocene sediments of the southern trough in the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California) due to the influence of hydrothermal solutions and heat produced by sill intrusions are discussed. Core samples from DSDP Holes 477 and 477A were taken for the analysis of clay minerals. Application of the method of modeling X-ray diffraction patterns of oriented specimens of the finely dispersed particles made it possible to establish the phase composition of clay minerals, determine their structural parameters, and obtain reliable quantitative estimates of their contents in natural mixtures. The modeling data allowed us to characterize reliably the transformation of clay minerals in sediments of the hydrothermally active southern trough in the Guaymas Basin. In Upper Pleistocene sandy–clayey sediments of the southern trough, changes in the composition of clay minerals occurred under the influence of a long-living hydrothermal system. Its lower part (interval 170.0–257.5 m) with maximum temperatures (~300°C) was marked by the formation of chlorite. Terrigenous clay minerals are not preserved here. Saponite appears at a depth of 248 m in the chlorite formation zone. Higher in the sedimentary section, the interval 146–170 m is also barren of terrigenous clay minerals. Sediments of this interval yielded two newly formed clay minerals (chlorite and illite), which were formed at lower temperatures (above 180°C and below 300°C, approximately up to ~250°C), while the relatively low-temperature upper part (110–146 m) of the hydrothermal system (from ~140°C to ~180°C) includes the mixture of terrigenous and newly formed clay minerals. Terrigenous illite is preserved here. Illitization of the mixed-layer illite–smectite was subjected to illitization. The terrigenous montmorillonite disappeared, and chlorite–smectite with 5–10% of smectite layers were formed. In the upper interval (down to approximately 110 mbsf), the composition of terrigenous clay minerals remains unchanged. They are composed of the predominant mixed-layer illite–smectite and montmorillonite, the subordinate illite, mixed-layer chlorite–smectite with 5% of smectite layers, mixed-layer kaolinite–smectite with 30% of smectite layers, and kaolinite. This composition of clay minerals changed under the influence of sill intrusions into the sedimentary cover at 58–105 m in the section of Hole 477. The most significant changes are noted in the 8-m-thick member above the sill at 50–58 m. The upper part of this interval is barren of the terrigenous mixed-layer illite–smectite, which is replaced by the newly formed trioctahedral smectite (saponite). At the same time, the terrigenous dioctahedral smectite (montmorillonite) is preserved. The composition of terrigenous clay minerals remains unchanged at the top of the unit underlying the sill base.     

Diagenesis of clay minerals and K-bentonites in Late Permian/Early Triassic sediments of the Sichuan Basin (Chaotian section,Central China)

Detailed clay mineralogical analyses were carried out on Late Permian/Early Triassic carbonate sediments exposed on the Chaotian section (Sichuan Basin, Central China). The clay assemblages are dominantly composed of illite in platform carbonates and clay seams, and illite–smectite mixed-layers (I/S) in tuff layers (K-bentonites) intercalated in the carbonate succession. Detrital and authigenic volcanogenic clay minerals have been partially replaced through illitisation processes during burial, raising questions about diagenetic effects. The precise determination of I/S occurring in K-bentonites shows that the sediments reached a temperature of about 180 °C, which is consistent with (1) previous estimates based on fluid-inclusion homogenisation temperature analysis, (2) the burial depth of the sedimentary series deduced from the post-Palaeozoic geological history of the Sichuan Basin and (3) the new data (T_max) obtained on organic matter indicating the transition between oil and gas windows. The Wangpo Bed, located close to the Guadalupian–Lopingian Boundary, is interpreted either as a volcanic acidic tuff or as a clastic horizon. This controversial origin probably results from mixed volcanogenic and detrital influences. The Wangpo Bed is therefore interpreted as a reworked bentonite as revealed by the occurrence of I/S similar to those found in tuff layers, together with preserved detrital kaolinite.     

Influence of tectonics and palaeoenvironment on late cretaceous clay sedimentation in the upper benue trough,Nigeria

The Late Cretaceous sedimentary sequence in the Upper Benue Trough consists of seven formations. Outcrop samples from the type localities of these units were analysed by X-ray diffraction for their day mineral content. The composition and distribution of the clay minerals are influenced by tectonics, relief and water depth. Three main depositional phases are recognizable on the basis of clay mineral assemblages, two of which are associated with tectonic movements. The first phase, characterized by the presence of chlorite, illite, kaolinite and mixed-layer clays is common to Albian-Cenomanian sediments. This phase is succeeded by mixed-layer clays and smectite-rich, Turonian-Early Santonian sediments. The re-occurrence of chlorite and illite in association with kaolinite and mixed-layer clays in the Post-Santonian sediments constitutes the third depositional phase. These clay mineral assemblages are indicative of two periods of tectonism (Albian and Late Santonian) and an intervening Turonian-Early Santonian period of quiescence in the Upper Benue Trough.     

安徽宣城红土剖面中粘土矿物过渡相及其意义

为研究长江中下游红土剖面中粘土矿物的特征及其成因意义, 对安徽宣城红土剖面中粘土矿物进行深入、系统的X射线衍射分析.结果表明, 宣城剖面各土壤层中粘土矿物成分基本一致, 主要为蛭石、伊利石、高岭石, 以及粘土矿物过渡相. 由采自剖面上部样品的X射线衍射图可知, 经乙二醇饱和后7 ?衍射峰可分解为7.15、7.60和7.92 ?三部分, 表明除了高岭石(7.15 ?)外, 还存在高岭晶层含量分别为~80%和~95%的2种高岭-蒙脱石过渡相, 并以前者为主; 剖面下部样品在乙二醇饱和后, 7 ?衍射峰可分解为7.16、7.79和8.35 ?等3个衍射峰, 其中8.35 ?峰衍射强度很小, 表明除了高岭石外, 样品中存在高岭晶层含量为~90%和~43%的高岭-蒙脱石过渡相, 后者含量甚少.甲酰胺饱和结果表明, 高岭-蒙脱石混层粘土矿物相中高岭晶层为埃洛石相.加热试验的衍射图中10 ?衍射峰强度明显增强, 证实高岭相中含有一定数量的来源于绿泥石风化的蒙脱石间层; 而10 ?衍射峰的低角度一侧没有出现拖尾现象, 则指示高岭-蒙脱石混层矿物中的蒙脱石不是简单的羟基间层蒙脱石.此外, 红土剖面中还普遍出现过渡性粘土矿物伊利石-蒙脱石混层和伊利石-蛭石混层粘土矿物.大量过渡性粘土矿物相的出现, 从成土作用的角度上说明红土沉积物经历了沉积-风化、以及多期风化作用叠加, 而且在沉积-风化成土过程中, 气候环境变化于强烈化学风化的温暖、季节性干旱和强烈风化淋滤的温暖而更加潮湿的条件.蛭石-伊利石混层粘土矿物仅发育于红土剖面上部, 表明总体上剖面上部的化学风化程度低于剖面下部.      

鸡西盆地下白垩统城子河组-穆棱组露头砂岩中的黏土矿物成因探讨

对鸡西盆地下白垩统城子河组—穆棱组露头砂岩中的黏土矿物进行了X-衍射分析。研究结果表明,黏土矿物主要由伊利石,高岭石和伊/蒙混层组成,组合可分为高岭石型与伊/蒙混层和伊利石型两种,根据黏土矿物组合判断露头砂岩处于中成岩阶段A期。下白垩统城子河组—穆棱组煤系地层和泥岩成岩过程中析出的有机酸是高岭石型黏土矿物组合发育的重要原因,而沉积相带水动力条件弱导致砂岩渗滤条件的变差则是伊/蒙混层和伊利石型黏土矿物组合形成的原因。     

Near‐isochemical evolution of clay mineral assemblages in differentially buried volcaniclastic sediments,the Late Miocene Upper Red Formation,Iran

The Upper Red Formation (URF) comprises over 1–5 km of late Miocene siliciclastic sediments in the Central Iran Basin. The formation is dominated by volcaniclastic conglomerates and arenites. The prevailing arid conditions during most of the basin's history resulted in deposition of predominantly organic‐poor, red sediments with gypsum and zeolites. This investigation concentrates on the mineralogy and geochemistry of the URF in the southern and northern margins of the basin where the formation was buried to depths of 2.4 and 6.6 km, respectively. Fine fraction mineral separates from the southern margin consist of nearly pure smectite and zeolites at a depth of 400 m and smectite with minor quartz and calcite at 1800 m. Shallow samples (1350 m) from the northern section are rich in smectite, illite/smectite with some discrete illite and chlorite. This assemblage is progressively replaced by discrete illite and chlorite with increasing burial depth so that only these two minerals are found at depths greater than 4300 m. The initial alteration process involved replacement of glass and volcanic lithics by smectite and zeolites in both margins of the basin. Increased depth of burial in the northern margin resulted in the progressive isochemical alteration of smectite to discrete illite and chlorite. Diagenesis of clay assemblages occurred essentially in a closed system. Solute products of glass hydrolysis reactions were retained in highly alkaline, saline ground waters from which zeolites, carbonates and oxides precipitated as cements. It is unlikely that these sediments were ever significantly leached by meteoric waters or by organic acids generated during burial diagenesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Illite-smectite Mixed-layer Minerals in the Alteration Volcanic Ashes under Submarine Environment

The clay mineralogy of the clay intervals interbedded with siliceous mudstones across the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) in Pengda, Guiyang, Guizhou province, was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The clay mineral assemblages of the sediments are mainly I/S clays and minor smectite, kaolinite, and illite as reveled by XRD analyses. The peak-shape parameters BB1 and BB2 of I/S clays of the representative clay bed PL-01 are 4.7° and 4.4°, and the peak position of the low angle reflection is at 6.8° 2θ (13.6 ), suggesting that the I/S clays has a IS type of ordering. However, the presence of multi-order reflections and their intensities are different from those of completely ordered 1∶1 mixed-layer I/S clay rectorite, indicating that I/S clays of the Pengda section have partially ordered IS structures. HRTEM observations show that most of the I/S clays exhibit an IS stacking ordering. However, in some areas within a IS particle, smectite layer is observed in doublets, triplets, and quartets, which are interstratified by various amounts of illite layers, suggesting the presence of other irregular stacking in addition to the major 1∶1 IS ordered stacking. Transformation of smectite layer into illite layers is also observed in the I/S clays, suggesting that the Pengda I/S clays are derived from smectite illitization, in good agreement with the clay mineral assemblage. The I/S clays of the Pengda section contain up to 45% to 95% smectite layer, the notably higher contents of smectite layer relative to those of other PTB stratigraphic sets in south China can be attributed to difference in alteration and smectite illitization processes due to different sedimentary environments.     

Diagenesis, palaeoclimate and tectono-sedimentary influences on clay mineralogy and stable isotopes from Upper Cretaceous marine successions of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin (N Spain)

Clay mineralogy and whole-rock stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) of Upper Cretaceous marly sediments on the Basque-Cantabrian Basin have been integrated to determine the main effects of diagenesis, palaeoclimate and tectono-sedimentary factors in sections belonging to deep- (Barrika) and platform-marine (Isla de Castro, Villamartín and Olazagutía) settings.The mean values for the clay assemblages and δ¹⁸O exhibit notable differences among the sections, partially explainable by the influence of diagenesis. The Barrika sediments, with more diagenetically advanced illite-smectite (I-S) mixed-layer (R1, 70% illite), authigenic chlorite, and low δ¹⁸O (−4.05‰ PDB), experienced higher diagenetic grade than Isla de Castro and Olazagutía, which have R0 I-S (20% illite) and heavier δ¹⁸O. Villamartín was also affected by higher diagenesis than Isla de Castro and Olazagutía, given the occurrence of R1 I-S (60% illite) and low δ¹⁸O (−4.11‰ PDB). However, the absence of other clays in Villamartín (e.g. authigenic chlorite) is indicative of less diagenetic grade than Barrika. These results show the useful integration of clay mineralogy and stable isotopes to detect different diagenetic grades in distinct marine successions of the same basin.Despite being influenced by diagenesis, the clay mineralogy partially preserves its inherited signature. This allows detection of major contents of I-S and mica, and minor kaolinite, interpreted as indicative of warm palaeoclimatic conditions. High kaolinite content in Villamartín and absence of kaolinite in Isla de Castro, though, are considered to be a product of neither diagenesis nor palaeoclimatic influences. Instead, tectono-sedimentary causes, related to unsuitable conditions for clay formation and transport from the local source areas, contributed to original clay differences. The inferred effects of diagenesis, palaeoclimate and tectono-sedimentary factors make this work important to show the potentially great variety of controls on the clay mineralogy of marine sections, which are often uncritically treated in studies concerning the Late Cretaceous.     

泥页岩主要黏土矿物组分甲烷吸附实验

为了从深层次揭示控制黏土矿物天然气吸附能力的主要因素, 选择不同来源和成因的泥页岩中的常见黏土矿物进行了甲烷等温吸附实验.分析显示不同类型的黏土矿物气体吸附能力差异明显, 各种黏土矿物甲烷吸附容量次序为蒙脱石＞＞伊蒙混层＞高岭石＞绿泥石＞伊利石＞粉砂岩＞石英岩.黏土矿物结晶结构决定了矿物片层之间的层间孔隙和聚合体颗粒之间粒间孔隙的形态和大小, 从而决定着其表面积和气体吸附性能.黏土矿物甲烷吸附能力与电镜扫描所反映的微孔隙发育程度密切相关.研究表明, 黏土矿物的气体吸附能力不仅与黏土类型有关, 而且明显受成岩演化程度和岩石成因的影响.此外, 随粒度减小孔隙连通性和内表面积的不断增加, 黏土矿物气体吸附能力有所升高.      

Characteristics of Clay Minerals in the Luohe Formation in Zhenyuan Area,Ordos Basin,and its Uranium Prospecting SignificanceEI北大核心CSCD

Industrial uranium orebodies have recently been found through in-depth uranium exploration in the Luohe Formation in the southwestern Ordos Basin, which is an important breakthrough in deep prospecting for sandstone-type uranium deposits. The composition, content and characteristics of clay minerals in the Luohe Formation in the Zhenyuan area were systematically studied by means of thin section identification, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and altered mineral spectral scanning. Unlike the most important uranium-bearing rock series in the Zhiluo Formation in the northeast and southwest of the basin, the ore-bearing Luohe Formation sandstone has low contents of clay minerals while the clay mineral assemblages vary in different sand bodies. Among them, the main types of mudstone, oxidized sandstone, calcareous sandstone and mineralized sandstone are illite-smectite mixed-layer mineral and illite, followed by kaolinite and chlorite, the main types uranium-rich sandstone and gray-green sandstone are kaolinite and illite-smectite mixed-layer mineral, followed by illite and chlorite. Even though adsorption of clay minerals, such as chlorite, illite-smectite mixed-layer mineral, kaolinite, and illite may contribute to U enrichment and uranium mineral precipitation, no correlation between clays and uranium minerals have been observed, indicating that clay minerals are not the main factor affecting uranium enrichment during the deep metallogenic process. The study of clay minerals in the Luohe Formation sandstone demonstrated that there are at least two phases of chlorite and one phase of kaolinite in the study area, which respectively represent two phases of alkaline fluid and one phase of acid fluid activities, revealing a fluid phase transition of alkaline-acidic-alkaline. Therefore, the clay minerals can be used as an important indicator for uranium mineralization. © 2020, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Palaeoenvironmental significance of the clay mineral composition of Olduvai basin deposits,northern Tanzania

Quaternary deposits in the southeastern part of the Olduvai basin, northern Tanzania, consist of lake margin deposits, followed by a series of fluvial sediments. The clay mineral fraction of the lake margin deposits (Bed I and lower part of Bed II) is composed of smectite and subordinate illite. All smectite is largely dioctahedral and shows indications for a limited degree of irregular interstratification by illite. In the overlying fluvial deposits (Beds II–IV), illite is the most abundant clay mineral. Smectite only occurs in lower parts of the fluvial deposits (up to the middle of Bed III), where it generally shows a high degree of irregular interstratification. Differences in clay mineral composition between the lake margin deposits and the fluvial deposits record differences in sediment source area and degree of alteration. Dioctahedral smectite in the lake margin deposits and the oldest fluvial deposits is derived from a region with volcanic material extending to the east and south of the basin, which also supplies a certain amount of illite. Illite in the fluvial deposits of Bed IV originates from an area with a metamorphic bedrock to the west and north. Alteration of detrital clay minerals resulted in Mg-enrichment of dioctahedral smectite in part of the lake margin deposits and partial illitization of smectite in the older fluvial deposits. Formation of clay minerals during diagenesis or soil development is not documented by analysis of the total clay fraction.     

Controls on clay minerals assemblages in an early paleogene nonmarine succession: Implications for the volcanic and paleoclimatic record of extra-andean patagonia,Argentina

The distribution of the clay minerals of the Banco Negro Inferior-Río Chico Group succession (BNI-RC), a middle Danian–middle Eocene mainly continental epiclastic–pyroclastic succession exposed in the Golfo San Jorge Basin, extra-Andean Patagonia (∼46° LS), is assessed in order to determine the possible origin of clay and specific non-clay minerals using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The control over the clay mineralogy of the sedimentary settings, contemporary volcanism, paleoclimate and weathering conditions is considered. A paleoclimatic reconstruction is provided and correlated with the main global warming events that occurred during the early Paleogene.Mineralogical analyses of BNI-RC demonstrate that smectite and kaolin minerals (kaolinite, halloysite and kaolinite/smectite mixed layers) are the main clay minerals, whereas silica polymorphs (volcanic glass and opal) are common non-clay minerals. Throughout the succession, smectite and kaolin minerals are arranged in different proportions in the three clay–mineral assemblages. These show a general vertical trend in which the smectite-dominated assemblage (S1) is replaced by the smectite-dominated assemblage associated with other clays (S2) and the kaolinite-dominated assemblage (K), and finally by S2 up-section. The detailed micromorphological analysis of the clay and non-clay minerals allows us to establish that the origins of these are by volcanic ash weathering, authigenic and pedogenic, and that different stages in the evolution of mineral transformations have occurred.The supply of labile pyroclastic material from an active volcanic area located to the northwest of the study area could have acted as precursor of the authigenic and volcanogenic minerals of the analyzed succession. Diverse fine-grained lithological facies (muddy and tuffaceous facies) and sedimentary settings (coastal swamp and transitional environments, and different fluvial systems) together with variable climate and weathering conditions controlled the mineralogical transformations and the arrangement of clay–mineral assemblages. The paleoclimatic reconstruction suggests a general warm and humid climate. However, the temporal trend of the clay–mineral assemblages, the ratios between smectite and kaolinite and the micromorphological analysis of clay minerals contrasted with evidence from sedimentological analyses suggest a warm and seasonal climate for the basal part of the unit, a warm and humid climate with a relatively more perennial rainfall regime in the middle part of the unit, and a warm and less humid, probably subhumid, climate up-section. Such a reconstruction makes it possible to establish a correlation with some of the hyperthermal events of the Early Paleogene Global Warming (EPGW) and, consequently, constitute one of the most complete time records of the EPGW in South America.     

Environmental controls on clay mineralogy of an Early Jurassic mudrock (Blue Lias Formation,southern England)

We present a dataset including clay mineralogy, gamma-ray spectrometry, organic matter content and magnetic susceptibility of the Hettangian to lowest Sinemurian successions of Dorset and Somerset, southern UK (Blue Lias Formation, Bristol Channel and Wessex basins). In both areas, the clay assemblages comprise predominantly detrital illite, kaolinite and illite/smectite mixed layers. Clays probably originated from the erosion of the Hercynian massifs, the relative proportions of kaolinite and illite being modulated by arid-humid climatic fluctuations. The organic matter (OM) content (types II to IV) ranges up to 12% in both areas. A clear stratigraphical trend in clay mineral assemblages is apparent in Somerset, whereas in Dorset sharp contrasts between adjacent horizons and a greater dilution by carbonate mask the long-term evolution. Correlations between both areas based on similar vertical trends in clay mineral abundance support the suggestion of a hiatus within the angulata Zone of the Dorset succession. As expected, the kaolinite/illite ratio correlates with the Th/K ratio deduced from gamma-ray spectrometry. However, significant departures from the correlation occur in OM-rich intervals, suggesting that Th may be partly adsorbed on to OM particles. Surprisingly, high magnetic susceptibility correlates with abundant kaolinite, not with Fe-rich clays, indicating either that kaolinite is accompanied by a soil-inherited magnetisable phase (possibly iron oxide) or that illite-rich rocks are more strongly diluted by carbonate than are kaolinite-rich strata.     

The Tayiba Red Beds: Transitional marine-continental deposits in the precursor Suez Rift,Sinai, Egypt

The Tayiba Red Beds, exposed in the Abu Zenima area, west-central Sinai, have been intensively studied for their clay mineralogy and charophytes assemblages. Three surface sections exposed at Wadi El-Tayiba and Wadi Nukhul were studied. The Tayiba Formation uncomformably overlies the Middle Eocene Khaboba Formation at Wadi Nukhul and the Late Eocene Tanka Formation at Wadi El-Tayiba and commonly underlies the Early Miocene Nukhul Formation with unconformable relationships. The Tayiba Formation at Wadi Nukhul consists predominantly of continental coarse clastic sediments represented by polymictic conglomerates, alternating with red to pinkish mudstone, ferruginous sandstone and varicoloured mottled siltstone with plant remains. At Wadi El-Tayiba, the Tayiba Formation is represented by marine, yellow mudstone and red siltstone, alternating with greyish and reddish-yellow argillaceous to sandy limestone, highly fossiliferous with reworked Nummulites spp. and molluscan shell fragments.The mineralogical composition of the studied clay size fraction showed that most samples are dominated by illite, together with smectite, kaolinite and illite/smectite mixed layers. The relative proportion of these constituents shows wide variation. Smectite is more abundant than other constituents at Wadi El-Tayiba. The high content of smectite is usually accompanied by a terrigenous influx in the form of kaolinite and illite, reflecting deposition in an inner neritic shallow marine environment. The sediments of Wadi Nukhul are characterised by an appreciable proportion of illite, together with an illite/smectite mixed layer and minor amounts of kaolinite, suggesting deposition in fluviatile environments.The detailed investigation of charophytes (green algae) in the investigated sections showed that Wadi El-Tayiba is nearly barren of these microflorae, except for some benthic foraminifera from a shallow marine environment. In contrast, Wadi Nukhul yielded a high frequency and great diversity of charophytes, where 15 species have been identified, described and illustrated for the first time. The utilisation of the ranges of these species allowed the subdivision of the section into three charophyte zones, which are correlated with other zones recorded in Europe, as well as the standard mammal levels in the world. These biozones strongly assign the Tayiba Formation to the Late Eocene to Late Oligocene (Late Priabonian to Chattian). A depositional model was suggested for the Tayiba Formation in west-central Sinai.     

Clay-mineral distribution patterns in late Neogene fluvial sediments of the Subathu sub-basin,central sector of Himalayan foreland basin: implications for provenance and climate

The late Neogene (6–0.5 Ma) fluvial succession of the Subathu sub-basin, a part of the Himalayan foreland basin, comprises a 2.4-km-thick pile of conglomerate, grey and buff sandstone, and mudstone, representing Middle and Upper Siwalik subgroup. This basin is filled mainly by major trunk and piedmont drainage, which are nearly perpendicular to each other. The clay-mineral assemblages of this sedimentary succession have illite (7–82%), smectite (0–90%), chlorite (2–23%) and kaolinite (1–13%). The grey sandstones have moderate to abundant smectite (23–90%), whereas the buff sandstones have abundant illite (66–79%) and low to absent smectite (0–14%). The mudstones that dominates the succession (>50%) have clay-mineral assemblages similar to grey and buff sandstones, or intermediate proportion. The temporal distribution of clay minerals in mudstones shows occasional intense zigzag pattern with either smectite (3–81%) or illite (15–82%) abundance.The smectite-rich grey sandstones and mudstones are deposited by trunk drainage, and the illite-rich buff sandstones and mudstones are deposited by piedmont drainage. The intense zigzag distribution pattern of clay minerals in mudstone indicates interfingering of floods from trunk and piedmont drainages. The interfingering was severe, ranging between 4.8 and 3.36 Ma and between 2.60 and 1.77 Ma, related to tectonic activity. The association of smectite (>36%) bearing mudstones and piedmont source-derived buff sandstone and conglomerate towards the upper part of the section (above 1.77 Ma) suggests either floodwater of trunk drainage over spill on the fringe of piedmont alluvial fan or derivation from smectite bearing Middle Siwalik rocks, exposed due to the activity of an intra-foreland thrust (IFT) in the piedmont zone. The occurrence of smectite and its variable proportion with time suggests its probable derivation not only from the sparsely exposed basic rock in the catchment area but also from siliceous and metamorphic rocks under favourable climatic conditions between 6 and 0.5 Ma.