Skip to main content

Origin of Clays by Rock Weathering and Soil Formation

  • Chapter
Origin and Mineralogy of Clays

Abstract

It is a fact that mankind’s domain of influence at the surface of the planet is roughly that of clay mineral formation: soils, weathered rocks, diagenetic series, continental and marine sediments, geothermal fields. These clay resources have been exploited since the discovery of fire. It is now important, for environmental studies, to know as well as possible, how and where these minerals form. Curiously, among the numerous works published until now, only a few are devoted to the mechanisms of clay formation at the scale of a soil profile, i.e. the metric scale in temperate zones. Indeed, more is known at the scale of a country (km) or the mineral-fluid interface (nm). For example, at the scale of a country, weathering can be considered as a homogeneous process. As a consequence, it is possible to model chemical transfers and clay-mineral stability fields using calculation codes. On the other extreme, the intimate dissolution-recrystallization mechanisms at the fluid-mineral interface scale are studied on isolated pure crystals in order to simplify the chemical system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Barnes I, O’Neil JR (1971) The relationship between fluids in some fresh alpine-type ultramafics and possible modern serpentinization, western United States. Geol Soc Am Bull 80: 1947–1960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes I, Lamarche VC, Himmelberg G (1967) Geochemical evidence of present-day serpentinization. Science 156: 830–832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes I, O’Neil JR, Trescases JJ (1978) Present-day serpentinization in New-Caledonia, Oman and Yugoslavia. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42: 144–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnhisel RI, Bertsch PM (1989) Chlorites and hydroxy interlayered vermiculite and smectite. In: Dixon JB, Weed SB (eds) Minerals in soil environments, 2nd edn. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, pp 729–788

    Google Scholar 

  • Baudracco J, Bel M, Perami R (1982) Effets de l’altĂ©ration sur quelques propiĂ©tĂ©s mĂ©caniques du granite du Sidobre ( France ). Bull Int Assoc Engin Geol 25: 33–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Begon JC, Jamagne M (1972) Sur la genèse des sols limoneux hydromorphes en France. In: Schlichting E,. Schwertmann U (eds) Pseudogley and gley, genesis and use of hydromorphic soils. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, pp 307–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Berner RA (1980) Early diagenesis: a theoretical approach. Princeton University Press, Princeton 241 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Bisdom EBA (1967) Micromorphology of weathered granite near the ria de Arosa (NW Spain). Leiden Geol Med 37: 33–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Bocquier G, Muller JP, BoulangĂ© B (1984) Les latĂ©rites. Connaissances et perspectives actuelles sur les mĂ©canismes de leur diffĂ©renciation. In: Livre Jubilaire du cinquantenaire, AFES, Plaisir, pp 123–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Boukili H, Novikoff A, Besnus Y, Soubies F, Queiroz C (1983) PĂ©trologie des produits de l’altĂ©ration des roches ultrabasiques Ă  chromite de Campo Formoso, Ă©tat de Bahia, BrĂ©sil. Sci GĂ©ol MĂ©m 72: 19–28

    Google Scholar 

  • BoulangĂ© B (1984) Les formations bauxitiques latĂ©ritiques de CĂ´te-d’Ivoire. Les faciès, leur transformation, leur distribution et l’évolution du modelĂ©. Mem ORSTOM 175 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradaoui M, Bloom PR (1990) Iron-rich high-charge beidellite in Vertisols and Mollisols of the High Chaouia region of Morocco. Soil Sci Am J 54: 267–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamayou H, Legros JP (1989) Les bases physiques, chimiques et minĂ©ralogiques de la science du sol. Agence de coopĂ©ration culturelle et technique. PUF, Paris, 594 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Chauvel A (1976) Recherches sur la transformation des sols ferrallitiques dans la zone tropicale Ă  saisons contrastĂ©es. Evolution et rĂ©organisation des sols de Moyenne Casamance (SĂ©nĂ©gal). ORSTOM, Paris, 495 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Colin F (1984) Etude pĂ©trologique des altĂ©rations de pyroxènite du gisement nickèlifère de Niquelandia (BrĂ©sil). Thèse de spĂ©cialitĂ©, Univ Paris VII, 137 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Courbe C, Velde B, Meunier A (1981) Weathering of glauconites: reversal of the glauconitization process in a soil profile in western France. Clay Min 16: 231–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cradwick PDG, Farmer VC, Russell JD, Masson CR, Wada K, Yoshinaga N (1972) Imogolite, a hydrared aluminium silicate of tubular structure. Nature (Lond) Phys Sci 240: 187–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeConinck F, Favrot JC, Tavernier R, Jamagne M (1976) DĂ©gradation dans les sols lĂ©ssivĂ©s hydromorphes sur matĂ©riaux argilo-sableux. Exemple des sols de la nappe dĂ©tritique bourbonnaise ( France ). PĂ©dologie XXVI: 105–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Delvigne J (1983) Micromorphology of the alteration and weathering of pyroxenes in the Coua Boca ultramafic intrusion, Ivory Coast, Western Africa. Sei GĂ©ol MĂ©m 72: 57–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Drever JI (1982) The geochemistry of natural waters. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 388 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Duchaufour P (1991) PĂ©dologie. Sol, vĂ©gĂ©tation, environnement, 3eme ed. AbrĂ©gĂ©s, Masson, Paris, 289 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ducloux J, Meunier A, Velde B (1976) Smectite, chlorite and a regular interlayered chlorite-vermiculite in soils developed on a small serpentinite body, Massif Central, France. Clay Min 11: 121–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudoignon P (1983) AltĂ©rations hydrothermales et supergène des granites. Etude des gisements de Montebras (Creuse), de Sourches (Deux-Sèvres) et des arènes granitiques de Parthenay. Thèse de spĂ©cialitĂ©, Univ Poitiers, Poitiers, 117 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebelmen M (1847) Recherches sur la dĂ©composition des roches. Ann Mines 12: 627–654

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggleton RA (1984) For mation of iddingsite rims on olivine: a transmission electron microscopy study. Clays Clay Min 32: 1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eggleton RA, Boland JN (1982) Weathering of enstatite to talc through a sequence of transitional phases. Clays Clay Min 30: 11–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eswaran H, Bin WC (1978) A study of a deep weathering profile on granite in peninsular malaysia. III. Alteration of feldspars. Soil Soc Am J 42: 154–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Feth TH, Roberston CE Polzer WL (1964) Sources of mineral constituents in waters from granitic rocks, Sierra Nevada, California and Nevada. US Geol Surv Water Supply Pap 1535, 70 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • FitzPatrick EA (1980) Soils. Their formation, classification and distribution. Longman, London, 352 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Fontanaud A (1982) Les faciès d’altĂ©ration supergène des roches ultrabasiques. Etude de deux massifs de lherzolite (PyrĂ©nĂ©es, France). Thèse de spĂ©cialitĂ©, Univ Poitiers, Poitiers, 103 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Fontanaud A, Meunier A (1983) Mineralogical faciès of a serpentinized lherzolite from PyrĂ©nĂ©es, France. Clay Min 18: 77–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrels RM (1984) Montmorillonite/illite stability diagram. Clays Clay Min 32: 161–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrels RM, Christ LL (1965) Solutions, minerals and equilibria. Freeman, Cooper, San Francisco, 450 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrels RM, Howard DF (1957) Reactions of feldspar and mica with water at low temperature and pressure. Prol 6th Natl Conf on Clays and clay minerals, Pergaluon, New York, pp 68–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilkes RJ, Scholz G, Dimmock GM (1973) Lateritic deep weathering of granite. J Soil Sei 24: 523–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gjems O (1967) Studies on clay minerals and clay mineral formation in soil profiles in Scandinavia. Med Nor Skogsgorsoeksues 21: 303–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder H (1976) Nontronite synthesis at low temperatures. Chem Geol 18: 169–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harriss RC, Adams JAS (1966) Geochemical and mineralogical studies on the weathering ofgranitic rocks. Am J Sei 264: 146–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helgeson HC, Garrels RM, Mackenzie FT (1969) Evolution of irreversible reactions in geochemical processes involving minerals and aqueous solutions. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 33: 455–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillel D (1980) F0ndamental of soil physics. Academic Press, New York, 413 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochella MF, White AF (1990) Mineral-water interface geochemistry. Reviews in Mineralogy 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mineralogical Society of America, Washington Hower J (1961) Some factors concerning the nature and origin of glauconite. Am Min 47: 886–896

    Google Scholar 

  • Ildefonse P (1980) Mineral facies developed by weathering of a metagabbro, Loire Atlantique (France). Geoderma 24: 257–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ildefonse P (1987) Analyse pĂ©trologique des altĂ©rations prĂ©mĂ©tĂ©oriques et mĂ©tĂ©oriques de deux roches basaltiques (basalte alcalin de Belbex, Cantal et Hawaiite de M’Bouda, Cameroun). Thèse doctorat, UnivensitĂ© de Paris 7, 323 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson ML (1963) Interlayering of expansible layer silicates in soils by chemical weathering. Clays Clay Min 11: 29–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamagne M, Begon JC (1984) Les sols lĂ©ssivĂ©s de la zone tempĂ©rĂ©e. In: Livre Jubilaire du cinquantenaire, AFES, Plaisir, pp 55–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamagne M, DeConinck F, Robert M, Maucorps J (1984) Mineralogy of clay fractions of some loess in northern France. Geoderma 33: 319–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korzhinskii DS (1959) Physicochemical basis of the analysis of the paragenesis of minerals. ( Trans) New York Consultant Bureau, New York, 143 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kounestron O, Robert M, Berrier J (1977) Nouvel aspect de la formation des smectites dans les Vertisols. CR, Acad Sci Paris 284: 733–736

    Google Scholar 

  • Laffon B, Meunier A (1982) Les rĂ©actions minĂ©rales des micas hĂ©ritĂ©s et de la matrice argileuse au cours de l’altĂ©ration supergène d’une marne ( Roumazières, Charentes) Sci GĂ©ol 35: 225–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanson B, Besson G (1992) Characterization of the end of smectite-to illite transformation: decomposition of X-ray patterns. Clays Clay Min 40: 40–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loveland PJ (1981) Weathering of a soil glauconite in southern England. Geoderma 25: 35–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe DJ (1986) Controls and rates of weathering and clay mineral genesis in airfall tephras: a review and New Zealand case study. In: Coiman SM, Dutie DP (eds) Rates of chemical weathering of rocks and minerals. Academic Press, New York, pp 265–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Macias F, Chesworth W (1992) Weathering in humid regions with emphasis on igneous rocks and their metamorphic equivalent. In: Martini IP, Chesworth W (eds) Weathering, soils and paleosols. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 283–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Meunier A (1980) Les mĂ©canismes de l’altĂ©ration des granites et le rĂ´le des microsystèmes. Etude des arènes du massif granitique de Parthenay (Deux-Sèvres). Mèm Soc GĂ©ol Fr 140: 80

    Google Scholar 

  • Meunier A, Velde B (1979) Weathering mineral facies in altered granite: the importance of local small-scale equilibria. Min Mag 43: 261–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meunier A, Velde B (1986) A method of constructing potential-composition and potential-potential phase diagrams for solid-solution type phases: graphical considerations. Bull Min 109: 657–666

    Google Scholar 

  • Mogk DW, Locke WW (1988) Application of Auger electron spectroscopy ( AES) to naturally weathered hornblende. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 52: 2537–2542

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller JP, Bocquier G (1986) Dissolution of kaolinites and accumulation of iron oxides in lateritic-ferruginous nodules: mineralogical and microstructural transformations. Geoderma 37: 113–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nahon D (1991) Introduction to the petrology of soils and chemical weathering. John Wiley, New York, 313 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahon D, Colin F (1982) Chemical weathering of orthopyroxenes under lateritic conditions. Am J Sci 282: 1232–1243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nahon D, Colin F, Tardy Y (1982) Formation and distribution of Mg, Fe, Mn-smectites in the first stages of the lateritic weathering of forsterite and tephroĂŻte. Clay Min 17: 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW (1974) The study of some mineral-aqueous solution interactions. PhD Thesis, John Hopkins University Baltimore, 180 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen Kha, Rouiller J, Souchier B (1976) Premiers rĂ©sultats concernant une Ă©tude expĂ©rimentale du phĂ©nomène d’appauvrissement dans les PĂ©losols. Sci Sol 4: 259–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Niggli P (1938) La loi des phases en minĂ©ralogie et pĂ©trographie. Herman, Paris, 2 vols

    Google Scholar 

  • Paquet H (1983) Stability, instability and significance of attapulgite in the calcretes of mediterranean and tropical areas with marked dry season. Sci GĂ©ol 72: 131–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Parneix JC, Meunier A (1983) Les transformations de la microfissuration du granite de Mayet-de-Montagne ( Allier, France) sous l’influence des rĂ©actions minĂ©rales d’altĂ©ration hydrothermale. Ann GĂ©ophys 38: 203–310

    Google Scholar 

  • PĂ©dro G (1968) Distribution des principaux types d’altĂ©ration chimique Ă  la surface du globe.

    Google Scholar 

  • PrĂ©sentation d’une esquisse gĂ©ographique. Rev GĂ©og Phys GĂ©ol Dyn X 5: 457–470

    Google Scholar 

  • PĂ©dro G (1985) Les grandes tendances des sols mondiaux. Cultivar 184, numero spĂ©cial: Sols et Sous-sols

    Google Scholar 

  • PĂ©dro G, Chauvel A, Melfi J (1976) Recherches sur la constitution et la genèse des terra roxa estructurada du BrĂ©sil. Ann Agron 27: 265–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Petit JC, Delia Mea G, Dran JC, Schott J, Berner RA (1987) Mechanism of diopside dissolution from hydrogen depth profiling. Nature 325, 6106: 705–707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeiffer HR (1977) A model for fluid in metamorphosed ultramafic rocks. Observations at surface and sub-surface conditions (high pH spring waters). Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 57: 361–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Prigogine I, Defay R (1954) Chemical thermodynamics. Longmans, New York, 960 pp (English translation by Everett)

    Google Scholar 

  • Protz R, Ross GJ, Martini IP, Terasmae J (1984) Rate of podzolic soil formation near Hudson Bay, Ontario. Can J Soil Sei 64: 31–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Protz R, Ross GJ, Shipilato MJ, Terasmae J (1988) Podzolic soil development in the southern James Bay lowlands, Ontario. Can J Soil Sei 68: 287–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Proust D (1983) MĂ©canismes de l’altĂ©ration supergĂ©ne des roches basiques. Etude des arènes d’orthoamphibolite du Limousin et de glaucophanite de l’île de Groix. Thèse doctorat, UniversitĂ© de Poitiers, Poitiers, 197 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Proust D, Velde B (1978) Beidellite crystallization from plagioclase and amphibole precursors: local and long-range equilibrium during weathering. Clay Min 13: 199–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassineux F, Beaufort D, Meunier A, Bouchet A (1987) A method of coloration by fluorescein aqueous solution for thin section microscopic observation. J Sediment Petrol 57: 782–783

    Google Scholar 

  • Rassineux F, Beaufort D, Bouchet A, Merceron T, Meunier A (1988) Use of a linear localization detector for X-ray diffraction of very small quantities of clay minerals. Clays Clay Min 36: 187–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice RM (1973) Chemical weathering on the Carnmenellis granite. Min Mag 39: 429–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Righi D, Lorphelin L (1987) Structure des microagregats des sols podzolises sur micashistes d’un versant type de l’Himalaya (NĂ©pal). In: Bresson LM, Courty MA (eds) Soil micromorphology, N. Fedoroff. AFES, Paris, pp 295–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Righi D, Meunier A (1991) Characterization and genetic interpretation of clays in an acid brown soil ( Dystrochrept) developed in a granite saprolite. Clays Clay Min 39: 519–530

    Google Scholar 

  • Righi D, Ranger J, Robert M (1988) Clay minerals as indicators of some soil forming processes in the temperate zone. Bull Miner 111: 625–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Robert M, Herbillon A (1990) Genèse, nature et role des constituants argileux dans les principaux types de sols des environnements volcaniques insulaires. In: Decarreau A (ed) MatĂ©riaux Argileux. SFMC and GFA, Paris, pp 539–576

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossignol JP (1983) Les Vertisols du nord de l’Uruguay. Cah ORSTOM Ser PĂ©dol 20: 271–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnitzer M, Ripmeester JA, Kodama H (1988) Characterization of the organic matter associated with a soil clay. Soil Sei 145: 448–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sikora W, Stoch L (1972) Mineral forming processes in weathering crusts of acid magmatic and metamorphic rocks of lower Silesia. Miner Pol 3: 39–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer A (1989) Palygorskite and Sepiolite group minerals. In: Dixon JB, Weed SB (eds) Minerals in soil environments, 2nd edn. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, pp 829–872

    Google Scholar 

  • Spear FS, Ferry JM, Rumble III D (1982) Analytical formulation of phase equilibria: the Gibbs’ method. In: Ferry JM (ed) Characterization of metamorphism through mineral equilibria. Reviews in Mineralogy 10, Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, pp 105–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiers G A, Dudas MJ, Muehlenbachs K, Pawluck S (1985) Isotopic evidence for clay mineral weathering and authigenesis in Cryoboralfs. Soil Sei Soc Am J 49: 467–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sposito G (1981) The surface chemistry of soils. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson FJ (1982) Humus chemistry. Genesis, composition, reactions. John Wiley, New York, 443 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardy Y (1969) GĂ©ochimie des altĂ©rations. Etudes des arènes et des eaux de quelques massifs cristallins d’Europe et d’Afrique. Mem Ser Carte GĂ©ol Als Lorr, 31, 187 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardy Y, Roquin C (1992) geochemistry and evolution of lateritic landscapes In: Martini IP, Chesworth W (eds) Weathering, soils and paleosols. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 407–443

    Google Scholar 

  • Theng BKG, Churman GJ, Newnam RH (1986) The occurrence of interlayered clay-organic complexes in two New Zealand soils. Soil Sei 142: 262–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson JB (1955) The thermodynamic basis for the mineral facies concept. Am J Sci 253: 65–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trescases JJ (1973) L’évolution gĂ©ochimique supergène des roches ultrabasiques en zone tropicale. Formation des gisements nickèlifères de Nouvelle-CalĂ©donie. Mèm ORSTOM 78: 259

    Google Scholar 

  • Trolard F, Tardy Y (1989) A model of Fe3+-kaolinite, Al3+-goethite, Al3+-hematite equilibria in granites. Clay Min 24: 1–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ugolini F, Sletten RS (1991) The role of proton donors in pedogenesis as revealed by soil solution studies. Soil Sci 151: 59–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USDA (1975) Soil Taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. Agric Handbook 436.

    Google Scholar 

  • US Government Printing Office, Washington DC Veblen DR, Busek PR (1980) Microstructures and reaction mechanisms in biopyriboles. Am Mineral 65: 599–623

    Google Scholar 

  • Velde B (1976) The chemical evolution of glauconite pellets as seen by microprobe determinations. Min Mag 30: 753–760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Velde B (1985) Clay minerals. A physicochemical explanation of their occurence. Developments in Sedimentology 40 Elsevier, Amsterdam, 427 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Wada K (1989) Allophane and Imogolite. In: Dixon JB, Weed SB (eds) Minerals in soil environments, 2nd edn Soil Science Society of America, Madison, pp 1051–1087

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson MJ (1987) Soil smectites and related interstratified minerals: recent developments. In: Schultz G, van Olphen H, Mumpton FA (eds) Proc Clay Conf, Denver, 1985. The Clay Minerals Society, Bloomington, pp 167–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff RG (1967) Weathering of Woodstock granite near Baltimore, Maryland. Am J Sci 265: 106–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Righi, D., Meunier, A. (1995). Origin of Clays by Rock Weathering and Soil Formation. In: Velde, B. (eds) Origin and Mineralogy of Clays. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-12648-6_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-12648-6_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-08195-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-12648-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics