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Occurrence of Kaolinite in Association with Iron-pan

Abstract

KAOLINITE has generally been recognized as the most widely occurring clay type in the humid tropics. Various theories in regard to the probable mode of occurrence of this clay type have been advanced from time to time. Prescott and Pendleton1 have observed that in a region of high rainfall and under heavy leaching: “Kaolinite is likely to be most characteristic”. They have also expressed the likelihood of kaolinite formation as a result of resilicification of gibbsite. According to Russell2 kaolinites are formed “under conditions of a low concen tration of bases”, that is, in well-drained areas. It has also been suggested by Russell2 that in Malabar laterite might have developed from a lithomarge (containing 30–50 per cent kaolinite with 15–40 per cent of iron oxides) under an indurated iron pan.

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References

  1. Prescott, J. A., and Pendleton, R. L., Laterite and Lateritic Soils, 33 (Commonwealth Bur. Soil Sci. Tech. Comm., No. 47).

  2. Russell, E. J., Soil Conditions and Plant Growth. 556, 560 (Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd., London, 1961).

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TEWARI, G. Occurrence of Kaolinite in Association with Iron-pan. Nature 198, 1019 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/1981019a0

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