Removal of magnesium from interstitial waters in reducing environments—the problem reconsidered

Iron-containing smectites are not affected significantly by Mg-containing dilute sulphide solutions. Concentrated solutions reduce most of the Fe in montmorillonites; Fe is partially extracted from nontronite with concomitant disintegration of the structure. It is concluded that direct Mg → Fe exchange in clays seems improbable, but that depletion of Mg in interstitial waters of anoxic sediments may be due to reaction of Mg-containing solutions with partially disintegrated clay.