Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-wq484 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-28T04:45:25.044Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Sedimentary Structure in Gray Kaolins of Georgia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

G. Norman White
Affiliation:
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2474
J. B. Dixon
Affiliation:
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2474
R. M. Weaver
Affiliation:
J. M. Huber Corporation, Huber, Georgia 31298
A. C. Kunkle
Affiliation:
J. M. Huber Corporation, Huber, Georgia 31298

Abstract

One Tertiary and two Cretaceous gray kaolin sites in Georgia were examined using X-ray radiography of core sections to determine the processes of formation of the deposits. The Tertiary kaolin was oxidized in the upper 3 m of the deposit and reduced below that point. The two Cretaceous kaolins were reduced from the top of the deposit to an abrupt boundary with oxidized red kaolin below. Radiography of the first Cretaceous core revealed thin laminar bedding in the gray kaolin and in the underlying red kaolin. The laminae continue without interruption across the gray kaolin/red kaolin boundary. The laminae were not visible in the gray kaolin except in radiographs. Sedimentary bedding was not observed visually or radiographically at the Tertiary site nor in sections of the core from the second Cretaceous site where kaolinite was recrystallized to large vermiforms. The original sedimentary structure in the first Cretaceous kaolin was preserved possibly due to the inhibition of kaolinite recrystallization by a higher organic matter content. Recrystallization of kaolinite and iron compounds may have destroyed sedimentary structures in part or all of the other two kaolin cores. It is hypothesized that the first Cretaceous physical and biological mixing. The same hypothesis may apply to the other two kaolins but recrystallization after deposition has destroyed sedimentary structures.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1992, The Clay Minerals Society

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Austin, R. S., 1978 The origin of Georgia’s kaolin deposits 1015.Google Scholar
Bates, T. F., 1964 Geology and mineralogy of the sedimentary kaolins of the Southeastern United States—A review Clays & Clay Minerals 12 177194 10.1346/CCMN.1963.0120118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berner, R. A., 1984 Sedimentary pyrite formation: An update Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 48 605615 10.1016/0016-7037(84)90089-9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bouma, A. H., 1969 Methods for the Study of Sedimentary Structures New York Wiley-Interscience.Google Scholar
Hamblin, W. K., 1962 X-ray radiography in the study of structures in homogeneous sediments J. Sedimen. Petrol. 32 201210.Google Scholar
Hurst, V. J., 1979 Field conference on kaolin, bauxite, and Fuller’s earth: in Fieldtrip Guide for the Annual Meeting of the Clay Minerals Society .Google Scholar
Keller, W. D., 1977 Scan electron micrographs of kaolins collected from diverse environments of origin—IV. Georgia kaolin and kaolinizing source rocks Clays & Clay Minerals 25 311345 10.1346/CCMN.1977.0250501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schrader, E. L., Long, A. L., Muir, C. H., Quintus-Bosz, R. and Stewart, H. C., 1983 General geology and operations of kaolin mining in the “Southeastern Clay Belt”: A perspective from Huber, Georgia .Google Scholar
White, G. N., Dixon, J. B., Weaver, R. M. and Kunkle, A. C., 1991 Genesis and morphology of sulfides from gray kaolins Clays & Clay Minerals 39 7076 10.1346/CCMN.1991.0390109.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
White, G. N., Dixon, J. B., Weaver, R. M. and Kunkle, A. C., 1992 Recrystallization of kaolinite in gray kaolins Clays & Clay Minerals .CrossRefGoogle Scholar