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Laterite Definition for Newbies
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 12:42:15 PST
> From: "Colin Anderson" <colin_d_anderson at hotmail_com>
> Subject: Laterite Definition for Newbies
>
> for those still interested..
>
> while browsing through the dictionary of geological terms by bates and
> jackson I ran across the definition of laterite:
snip... (accurate laterite definition)
> Kaolinite: a common clay mineral of the kaolin group. It is the
> characteristic mineral of most kaolins, and is polymorphous with dickite
> and nacrite. Kalinite is a high alumina clay mineral that does not
> appreciably expand under varying water content and DOES NOT EXCHANGE
> IRON or magnesium.
Bad dictionary, I think.
This definition is quite wrong. Kaolinite is created by fast geothermal
action on feldspar, and is primarily platelets of hydrated aluminum
silicate. It differs wildly from the slowly-created alumina (aluminum
oxide) of laterites.
AFAIK, it isn't famous for having a high CEC, though, and doesn't expand
as much as some other clays.
Wright
--
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679 huntley1 at home dot com
Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face.
Thomas Sowell