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Chemical Disaggregation of Kaolinitic Claystones (Tonsteins and Flint Clays)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Don M. Triplehorn ,
Bruce F. Bohor  and
William J. Betterton
Don M. Triplehorn
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, USA
Bruce F. Bohor
Affiliation:
US Geological Survey, MS 939, Box 25046, Denver, CO 80225, USA
William J. Betterton*
Affiliation:
US Geological Survey, MS 939, Box 25046, Denver, CO 80225, USA
*
*E-mail address of corresponding author: wbettert@usgs.gov
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Abstract

The coarse, non-clay fraction of many flint-like kaolinitic claystones often contains mineral grains diagnostic of the claystone's origin and, in the case of tonsteins (altered volcanic ashes), may also provide minerals suitable for radiometric dating. Separation of the non-clay mineral fraction is often difficult because flint clays and flint-like clays resist slaking in water and thus are difficult to disaggregate. Chemical disaggregation of resistant kaolinitic claystones may be achieved by immersion in either hydrazine monohydrate or DMSO for periods ranging from one day to several weeks. Generally, hydrazine monohydrate works more quickly and efficiently than DMSO to disaggregate most kaolinitic claystones and flint clays.

Keywords

DisaggregationDMSOFlint ClayHydrazine MonohydrateKaolinitic ClaystoneTonstein
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 50 , Issue 6 , December 2002 , pp. 766 - 770
Copyright
Copyright © 2002, The Clay Minerals Society

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