Weathering of chlorite in a soil derived from a chloritoschist under humid tropical conditions

Abstract

Eight samples from a soil derived from greenschist were chosen to represent the weathering transformation of chlorite and were subjected to chemical and mineralogical analyses by X-ray, D.T.A., selective and acid dissolution techniques. Regularly interstratified chlorite-vermiculite is the major weathering product in the sand and silt fractions, whereas nontronite predominates in the clay fraction. Kaolinite and a “chlorite-like” mineral progressively appear in the clay fraction as the soil surface is approached. The results show that the genetic link suspected between the clay chloritic component and the kaolinite does not withstand a detailed examination. The clay chloritic mineral is a disordered remnant of the regularly interstratified chlorite-vermiculite and it appears in the clay fraction of the solum concommitantly with the argillitization of the silt fraction. Kaolinite occurs in close association with nontronite and would perhaps form with this mineral a true mixed-layer phase. The unequal distribution of aluminium, iron and magnesium amongst the available sites in the parent chlorite appears to be a factor that strengthens the divergent behaviour of these elements during the weathering.