Kaolinite history in the weathering crust and associated clay deposits: EPR data

Abstract

During the Aptian, these deposits containing sec� ondary kaolin composed an elevated erosion–denu� dation plain with quite rugged relief and a series of river valleys stretching from the south to the north. Erosion of the Mamon Series resulted in the removal of rough material to the alluvial, lagoon–deltaic, and shallow sea plains. The maximal length of transfer exceeded 300 km. According to the SEM investiga� tions, the presence of relict minerals of the Mamon series rocks as fragments of vermicular kaolinite crys� tals, rounded grains of quartz, feldspar, rutile, garnet, and zircon is a direct sign for a genetic link between the considered accumulative formations and the removal source. Argillaceous–aleurite–sand deposits of the alluvial plain were formed as a result of confluence of river val� leys. The Latnen deposit of kaolin fireproof clays is located in this facial geomorphological environment. They form lenses in sand series. The composition of clays is variable along the section. This results from various concentrations of admixtures of quartz, mont� morillonite, gibbsite, iron sulfides, and carbonaceous material. The mentioned peculiarities of Latnen clays result from the processes of “flowing” diagenesis occurring under reducing acid conditions of flotants enriched in organic material [2].