Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soils of technogenic landscapes

An integrated study of qualitative and quantitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the atmospheric precipitation-soil-lysimetric water system of aerotechnogenic polluted landscapes was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography in a gradient mode. Only low-molecular weight polyarenes (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, and chrysene) were found in the atmospheric precipitation and lysimetric waters. The growth of PAHs in soils is provided by the input of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene with atmospheric precipitation. The absence of heavy PAHs (benzfluoranthenes, benz(a)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, benz(ghi) perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene) in the atmospheric precipitation and their identification in soil give grounds to state that their accumulation was caused mainly by transformation of organic matter during pedogenesis. The technogenic impact was estimated and criterion of the degree of soil pollution by PAH was proposed.     

The development of a sterile,PAH-spiked,aged marine sediment for biodegradation experiments: chemical results

The fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures in marine sediments can be difficult to determine due to extraction, analytical and matrix barriers. The purpose of this work was to develop and validate methods to kill indigenous microorganisms in marine sediments, to spike the sediments with a mixture of PAHs in a minimally invasive fashion and to age the treated sediments while following the effects of the treatments on the PAHs and several groups of microorganisms. Following gamma irradiation (0.0, 2.5, 3.5 and 5.0 Mrad), the sediments were mixed with known amounts of PAHs that had been coated onto fine-grained sand. During the subsequent ageing process, levels of extractable PAHs and numbers of microorganisms were monitored. The addition of PAHs to the unirradiated sediment seemed to rapidly induce the degradation of phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene, while these PAHs decreased to a much smaller extent in the irradiated sediments in the 376 days of the experiment. The heavier PAHs, chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene, showed slight decreases in extractable concentrations at all irradiation levels, suggesting PAH sequestration/ageing over time. While some microbial populations recovered rapidly, culturable PAH degraders did not recover at any irradiation level tested and concentrations of light molecular weight PAHs in sediments irradiated at all levels dropped only slightly. This suggests that even the lowest dose (2.5 Mrad) may inhibit PAH degradation sufficiently to permit ageing of the spiked sediments for 6 months to a year. The methods described show promise for the generation of realistic, well-characterized spiked sediments for use in biodegradation and bioavailability experiments.     

Distribution and sorption of potentially toxic metals in four forest soils from Hungary

Metals of natural and anthropogenic origin behave differently in soils mostly due to their different mobility. In this study, sequential extractions and batch sorption experiments were performed to relate the fractionation of native Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb to the sorption properties of added metals in four soils with contrasting physiochemical characteristics. A significant effect due to sample composition on both the mobility and sorption characteristics of these metals was found. The efficiency of soil components in metal immobilization was in the order of carbonate > organic matter > swelling clay minerals. The partitioning of native metals together with the information gained through the sorption isotherms allows a deeper insight on the fate and behavior of metals in soils with various compositions.     

Parameters controlling the partitioning of tributyltin (TBT) in aquatic systems

In the present study the distribution of TBT between solid and water phase as a function of several parameters was determined. Two types of clay minerals (Na-montmorillonite SWy and kaolinite KGa) and quartz sand were used as sorbents in conventional batch experiments. Sorption coefficients (K_d) followed the order montmorillonite (89 l/kg) > kaolinite (51 l/kg) > quartz (25 l/kg), while for sorption coefficients normalized to the surface area (Kd′) an opposite trend was observed, with the lowest value determined for montmorillonite (2.79 × 10⁻³ l/m²) and the highest for quartz sand (8.04 × 10⁻² l/m²). The results demonstrate that numerous environmental parameters influence the adsorption process of TBT, such as solid/solution ratio, clay content and salinity. Another important factor governing TBT adsorption is pH, because it affects both the TBT species in the water phase as well as the surface properties of the mineral phase. The maximum of TBT adsorption onto clays was always around pH 6–7. According to the data, it is evident that the content of organic matter in the solid phase plays an important role on TBT adsorption, either as particulate organic matter (POM) or organic matter adsorbed to mineral particles (AOM). Experiments were carried out with well characterized organic matter and the results showed a linear increase of K_d from 51 up to 2700 l/kg upon the addition of 5% of particulate organic matter to pure phased kaolinite. TBT adsorption onto mineral surfaces, which were previously enriched with adsorbed organic matter, was investigated at different pH. The present study points to the importance of identifying and characterizing sorbents and envrionmental conditions, in order to predict and model TBT distribution in natural systems.     

水稻土中重金属元素Cd、Pb的竞争吸附 ——以长株潭地区水稻土为例

对中国南方的3个水稻土样品进行了Cd、Pb单一离子和混合离子吸附特点的研究。结果表明,3个水稻土样品中Cd、Pb的吸附特点都相似,Langmuir等温方程可很好地描述Cd、Pb的吸附等温线。3个土壤样品中,有较高pH值和较低有机物、CEC浓度、粘土含量、高岭石含量的2个土壤样品对Cd、Pb有较大的吸附量,且其等温吸附拟合的最大吸附量(B)也较大。在两组分混合溶液中,尽管共存离子的存在影响了土壤对单一离子的吸附,同时土壤对Cd的吸附在一定程度上受影响的程度大,但3个土壤样品都表现出对Pb有强的吸附能力。在3个土壤样品中,Langmuir等温方程中Pb的健合能常数(K)都大于Cd的健合能常数(K),混合溶液中的K值高于单一溶液的K值,表明2种金属离子对吸附位点的竞争提高了特定吸附位点的保持力,使金属离子在土壤中特定位点的吸附更加坚固。     

Effect of soil structure on the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within aggregates of a contaminated soil

Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) was investigated in the whole matrix and in the different aggregate size fractions of a sandy soil contaminated by a mixture of 8 PAHs and incubated at water holding capacity. The distribution of PAHs and of phenanthrene-degrading bacteria were determined in the bulk soil and in 4 size aggregate fractions corresponding to sand, coarse silt, fine silt and clay. The microbial communities able to degrade phenanthrene were detected at a similar level in the different aggregate fractions of the soil before contamination. After soil contamination and incubation, a significant growth of bacteria was observed and their distribution within aggregates was modified. Bacterial communities of phenanthrene-degraders were present in a higher density in the aggregates corresponding to sand (2000–50 μm) and clay (<2 μm). Chemical analysis show that remaining PAHs (low and high molecular weight) were much more concentrated in the fine soil fractions (fine silt and clay) and were present at a very low content in the larger aggregate size fractions. The interactions of well defined aggregates with PAHs and bacteria were also studied using phenanthrene as PAH model substrate and individual aggregates corresponding to sand and clay size fractions. Incubation of sand and clay aggregate fractions enriched with phenanthrene in the presence of a bacterial isolate NAH1 led to the simultaneous solubilization and biodegradation of phenanthrene. Differences in amounts of solubilized phenanthrene between sand and clay aggregate size fractions would be related to difference in adsorption capacities of phenanthrene by clay and sand aggregates.     

Reduction of Expansive Index,Swelling and Compression Behavior of Kaolinite and Bentonite Clay with Sand and Class C Fly Ash

Swelling behavior of expansive soil has always created problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. Generally, the method used to assess the swelling potential of expansive soil from its plasticity index, shrinkage limit and colloidal content. Alternative way to evaluate swelling behavior is from its expansive index (EI) and swelling pressure value. The present study investigates the reduction of EI and swelling pressure for kaolinite and bentonite clay when mixed with various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash used were 0–50 % by weight. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the swelling properties of expansive soil with the addition of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The reduction in EI ranged approximately from 10 to 50 and 4 to 49 % for kaolinite and bentonite clay, respectively. Also the maximum swelling pressure of kaolinite and bentonite clay decreased approximately 93 and 64 %, respectively with the addition of various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. Standard index properties test viz., liquid limit, plastic limit and linear shrinkage test were conducted to see the characteristics of expansive soil when mixed with less expansive sand and fly ash. Also, for these expansive soils one dimensional consolidation test have been conducted with sand and fly ash mixtures and the results were compared with pure kaolinite and bentonite clay.     

水稻土中重金属元素Cd、Pb的竞争吸附——以长株潭地区水稻土为例

对中国南方的3个水稻土样品进行了Cd、Pb单一离子和混合离子吸附特点的研究。结果表明,3个水稻土样品中Cd、Pb的吸附特点都相似,Langmuir等温方程可很好地描述Cd、Pb的吸附等温线。3个土壤样品中,有较高pH值和较低有机物、CEC浓度、粘土含量、高岭石含量的2个土壤样品对Cd、Pb有较大的吸附量,且其等温吸附拟合的最大吸附量（B）也较大。在两组分混合溶液中,尽管共存离子的存在影响了土壤对单一离子的吸附,同时土壤对Cd的吸附在一定程度上受影响的程度大,但3个土壤样品都表现出对Pb有强的吸附能力。在3个土壤样品中,Langmuir等温方程中Pb的健合能常数（K）都大于Cd的健合能常数（K）,混合溶液中的K值高于单一溶液的K值,表明2种金属离子对吸附位点的竞争提高了特定吸附位点的保持力,使金属离子在土壤中特定位点的吸附更加坚固。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Niger Delta soil: contamination sources and profiles

The distribution and sources of PAHs in soil as well as PAHs profiles have been investigated in areas with anthropogenic pollution in the Niger Delta (Nigeria) such as Warri and Ughelli. PAHs were identified in 21 soil samples (0–10cm upper layer) collected in May, 2003. The typical total PAHs level in Niger Delta soil ranged from 182 ± 112 - to - 433 ±256 íg/kg dw. PAH concentrations in soil samples from Warri Refinery, Tanker Loading point and Ugboko via Rapele oil field were quite high ( the mean ÓPAH concentrations were 433, 402 and 384 íg/kg dry weight respectively). The dominant PAHs in soil samples were pyrene, naphthalene and benzo[k]fluoranthene. The soil total PAHs (PAH_tot.) concentration, normalized to organic carbon content (OC), ranged from 11.4 to 47.2 mg PAH_tot. /kg OC; and showed that organic matter of the soil samples from Quality Control Centre, Ugelli West is highly contaminated with PAHs and had a value of 47.2 ± 31.2 mg PAH_tot./kg OC. Two and three ring aromatic hydrocarbons predominated in soil samples from Ughelli West, Tanker Loading point and Delta Steel Company, which is indicative of petrogenic origin.     

去除废水中重金属的低成本吸附剂:生物质和地质材料的环境利用

经济、有效、易获得的生物质和地质材料 (及二者的废弃物 )可用来取代传统的活性炭或离子交换树脂用于去除废水中的重金属。已经公开发表的低成本吸附剂主要可分为两类 :(1)生物质 (包括林业和农业的废弃物 ) :树皮 /富含丹宁酸的物质 ,木质素 ,几丁质 /甲壳质 ,死的生物体 ,苔藓 ,海草 /海藻 /褐藻酸 ,废弃的茶叶 ,稻壳 ,羊毛 ,棉花等 ;(2 )地质材料 (包括矿物利用后的工业废弃物 ) :沸石 ,粘土 ,泥炭 ,有铁氧化物包壳的砂 ,粉煤灰等。其中 ,对于重金属具有强吸附能力的吸附剂有甲壳质、沸石和木质素 ,例如 ,它们对一些重金属的最大吸附能力分别为 :甲壳质对Cd ,Hg ,Pb分别为 5 5 8,112 3 ,796mg/g ,沸石对Pb为 15 5 4mg/g ,木质素对Pb为 15 87mg/g。地质材料的环境利用值得引起地学界和环境工程界更广泛的重视。基于地质材料和水岩相互作用机理的环境污染控制技术有望成为 2 1世纪重要的环保替代技术。由于缺少连续的可比性强的成本信息 ,要比较不同的生物质和地质材料的成本和吸附性能仍较困难。尽管已对低成本吸附剂领域进行了很多研究 ,但要更好地了解低成本吸附剂的作用机理及其实用性 ,仍需要做大量的室内和现场工作。     

Heavy metal anomalies in the Tinto and Odiel River and estuary system,Spain

The Tinto and Odiel rivers drain 100 km from the Rio Tinto sulphide mining district, and join at a 20-km long estuary entering the Atlantic Ocean. A reconnaissance study of heavy metal anomalies in channel sand and overbank mud of the river and estuary by semi-quantitative emission dc-arc spectrographic analysis shows the following upstream to downstream ranges in ppm (μg g^?1): As 3,000 to <200, Cd 30 to <0.1, Cu 1,500 to 10, Pb 2,000 to <10, Sb 3000 to <150, and Zn 3,000 to <200. Organic-rich (1.3–2.6% total organic carbon, TOC), sandysilty overbank clay has been analyzed to represent suspended load materials. The high content of heavy metals in the overbank clay throughout the river and estuary systems indicates the importance of suspended sediment transport for dispersing heavy metals from natural erosion and anthropogenic mining activities of the sulfide deposit. The organic-poor (0.21–0.37% TOC) river bed sand has been analyzed to represent bedload transport of naturally-occurring sulfide minerals. The sand has high concentrations of metals upstream but these decrease an order of magnitude in the lower estuary. Although heavy metal contamination of estuary mouth beach sand has been diluted to background levels estuary mud exhibits increased contamination apparently related to finer grain size, higher organic carbon content, precipitation of river-borne dissolved solids, and input of anthropogenic heavy metals from industrial sources. The contaminated estuary mud disperses to the inner shelf mud belt and offshore suspended sediment, which exhibit metal anomalies from natural erosion and mining of upstream Rio Tinto sulphide lode sources (Pb, Cu, Zn) and industrial activities within the estuary (Fe, Cr, Ti). Because heavy metal contamination of Tinto-Odiel river sediment reaches or exceeds the highest levels encountered in other river sediments of Spain and Europe, a detailed analysis of metals in water and suspended sediment throughout the system, and epidemiological analysis of heavy metal effects in humans is appropriate.     

Thermodynamic simulation of the effect of eutrophication on the behavior of heavy metals in bottom sediments by the example of the Inan’kovsky water reservoir

A thermodynamic model of the behavior of heavy metals in bottom sediments during their eutrophication is developed. The results show that liberation of heavy metals from the reduced ferrous sorbent is accompanied by sorption on clay and organic sorbents. The process is complicated by competitive correlations between heavy metals and calcium ions, while the formation of carbonate cement in the sediments yields additional sorption. As a result, the predicted concentrations of the majority of microelements, namely heavy metals, in the interstitial water of the reduced bottom sediments do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC).     

The effect of long-term soil irrigation by wastewater on organic matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals evolution: case study of Zaouit Sousse (Tunisia)

Irrigation by treated wastewater (TWW) can pollute the soil by different organic and inorganic compounds. The pollution level can depend on the irrigation period, soil nature, and wastewater characteristics. Since 1989, the Zaouit Sousse area (central Tunisian) has been irrigated by treated wastewater. The irrigation period and the mineralogy of soil composition change from one locality to another in Zaouit Sousse area. In this work, we are interested in organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals (HMs) evolution. One control soil (S1) and four irrigated areas soil (S2, S3, S4, and S5) were chosen. The soil samples differ by the irrigation period and soil characteristics. Total PAHs content in control soil was 66.2 ng?g^?1 and in irrigated areas were between 46.23 and 129.51 ng?g^?1. The PAHs content in irrigated soil, except S5 which has been irrigated with wastewater for 20 years and contains the highest clay fraction percent, decreased with the irrigation period (from 0 to 20 years). The microbial degradation may decrease the PAHs concentrations in the soil thanks to bacterium brought by TWW and the important soil permeability. Concentration of heavy metals ranged from 24 to 1,320 μg?L^?1. The HMs (Cu, Cr, Zn, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Cd) contents decreased with the irrigation period (from 10 to 20 years). So, following the PAHs aerobic bio-degradation, this organic compound discharges their absorbed heavy metals which leached to deeper levels. The Cr, Cu, Al, Zn, and Cd mobility depend on the clay yield too. However, the PAHs and Pb mobility are also related to humic substance quantities. Cr and Cu have affinities both to clay and humic substance quantities.     

Distribution of grain size, clay mineralogy and organic matter of surface sediments from Tirumalairajanar Estuary, Tamilnadu, east coast of India

The aim of this study is to understand the various sources and factors controlling the abundance and distribution of clay minerals, sand, silt, clay and organic matter of the surface sediments of Tirumalairajanar Estuary in two different seasons. The study was undertaken for two seasons, based on ten selected stations all along the estuary, mouth and freshwater zone. Furthermore, along the estuary region, clay and silt were observed and also at few stations in the upstream end. Organic matters in the sediments appeared to be the main mechanisms for the distribution of clay minerals in estuary indicated that the distributions of clay minerals were comparatively higher during postmonsoon than in premonsoon season. The clay mineral assemblage consists mainly of chlorite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite and very scarce gibbsite. The clay from the sediments has been separated and studied for mineral identification using X-ray diffraction analysis. The present study also reveals that sediment texture is one of the main controlling factors for the distribution of organic matter.     

Effects of surfactants and electrolyte solutions on the properties of soil

Biosurfactants are frequently used in petroleum hydrocarbon and dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) remediation. The applicability of biosurfactant use in clayey soils requires an understanding and characterization of their interaction. Comprehensive effects of surfactants and electrolyte solutions on kaolinite clay soil were investigated for index properties, compaction, strength characteristics, hydraulic conductivities, and adsorption characteristics. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and NaPO₃ decreased the liquid limit and plasticity index of the test soil. Maximum dry unit weights were increased and optimum moisture contents were decreased as SDS and biosurfactant were added for the compaction tests for mixtures of 30% kaolinite and 70% sand. The addition of non-ionic surfactant, biosurfactant, and CaCl₂ increased the initial elastic modulus and undrained shear strength of the kaolinite–sand mixture soils. Hydraulic conductivities were measured by fixed-wall double-ring permeameters. Results showed that the hydraulic conductivity was not significantly affected, but slightly decreased from 1×10⁻⁷ cm/s (water) to 0.3×10⁻⁷ cm/s for Triton X-100 and SDS. The adsorption characteristics of the chemicals onto kaolinite were also investigated by developing isotherm curves. SDS adsorbed onto soil particles with the strongest bonding strength of the fluids tested. Correlations among parameters were developed for surfactants, electrolyte solutions, and clayey soils.     

Effect of Clay Minerals on Transport of Surfactants Dispersed Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes in Porous Media

Clay minerals can hinder the transport of various contaminants in soil and aquifer, but how clay minerals affect the transport of nanoparticles in aquifers has not been investigated in depth. In this paper, the transport of surfactants dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in well-defined quartz sand and mixtures of quartz sand and clay minerals (kaolinite and montmorillonite) with varying ionic strengths was studied. Sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) and octyl-phenol-ethoxylate (TX100) MWCNT suspensions can migrate through quartz sand easily, but the presence of less than 2% w/w clay minerals in quartz sand can significantly hinder the transport of MWCNT suspensions, especially at high ion strength (0.6 mM CaCl2). The inhibition mechanism of clay minerals for surfactant-dispersed MWCNTs in porous media is the interception of MWCNTs. Kaolinite has stronger inhibition effect for MWCNTs transport than montmorillonite because more kaolinite can be retained in the quartz sand. Adsorption of surfactants by clay minerals does not affect the transport of MWCNTs significantly. This finding is important for the environmental assessment of MWCNT transport risks in soils and aquifers.     

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     

Changes in mobility and speciation of heavy metals in clay-amended incinerator fly ash

The generation of municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash (MSWIF) has been increasing significantly over the recent past, and its disposal is problematic and costly due to high concentration of leachable heavy metals present in the material. This study explored a potential stabilization of MSWIF by blending with a natural sorbent material with low permeability, clay, and assessed the potential release of heavy metals from the stabilized mixtures under various simulated subsurface environments. The leachability of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu in the MSWIF-clay mixtures cured for 1 to 360 days was investigated by performing leaching tests and sequential chemical extractions (SCE). Leaching tests were performed at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH values. The leaching test results suggested that the natural clay could turn the MSWIF into non-hazardous material. All the MSWIF-clay mixtures demonstrated leaching behavior different from that of the original MSWIF. SCE results revealed that the acidic and reducing conditions were the most unfavorable to the immobilization of the heavy metals in the stabilized MSWIF-clay matrix. Conversely, the oxidizing and alkaline conditions were not critical to the stabilized MSWIF-clay mixtures. Apparently, clay in the mixtures could function as an adsorptive micro-barrier to retain the heavy metals within the MSWIF-clay matrices.     

Statistical modeling the effect of sediment physicochemical properties on the concentration of heavy metal (case study: Musa Creek,SW Iran)

Heavy metal accumulation in sediments is important even at low levels due to their irresolvable character and harmful effects. Therefore, contamination of creeks, especially their sediments, is highly important for scientific communities. This study investigates the relationship between heavy metal accumulation and some physicochemical parameters of sediments (pH, EC, calcium carbonate, texture, specific gravity, density, porosity and percentage of organic matter) in a stretch of Musa Creek beaches. The results showed that the studied sediments are extremely salty and have slight variations in terms of pH. Although there are mostly clay-sized sediments in the studied area, their mineralogical composition contains calcite with smaller amounts of dolomite, aragonite and halite minerals. The correlation between each of the parameters and heavy metal concentration was modeled using OLS regression. Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb concentrations are positively correlated with each other and inversely correlated with Cd. The accumulation of heavy metals is directly related to parameters such as EC, organic matter, clay and silt, specific gravity and porosity; it is negatively related to calcium carbonate, sand and density parameters. Owing to slight variations, the pH parameter lacks any significant correlation with heavy metal concentrations.     

铝土矿粘土研究的回顾(续)

我国球粘土应成为独立矿种,湖沼球粘土中含“内胶体”的自生高岭石是生物有机质作用造成,水云母、I-M间层粘土矿物及有机质会增加可塑性、粘结性及干燥强度,钾、钠的增加可降低烧结温度。沉积球粘土与残积成因高岭石为无序或较无序,古生代煤系高岭石为有序和高度有序,岩浆热液成因的高岭石常为有序或高度有序;北方古生代软质粘土（紫矸）为规模较大、较为均匀稳定的高度有序高岭石,应积极开发。硬水铝石岩溶铝土矿应属于生物有机质成矿作用的沉积型铝土矿。