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Weathering of Chlorite in a Quartz-Chlorite Schist: I. Mineralogical and Chemical Changes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Takashi Murakami ,
Hiroshi Isobe ,
Tsutomu Sato  and
Toshihiko Ohnuki
Takashi Murakami*
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790, Japan
Hiroshi Isobe
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Safety Research, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai. Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
Tsutomu Sato
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Safety Research, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai. Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
Toshihiko Ohnuki
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Safety Research, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai. Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
*
†Present address: Mineralogical Institute, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan
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Abstract

The weathering of chlorite, one of the major minerals of the host rock in the uranium ore deposit at Koongarra, Australia, was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The conversion sequence of chlorite weathering is: (1) chlorite; (2) chlorite/vermiculite intergrade (showing XRD responses to various treatments intermediate between those of chlorite and vermiculite); (3) interstratified chlorite and vermiculite; (4) vermiculite; and (5) kaolinite. This sequence may be more simply expressed as chlorite ⤒ vermiculite ⤒ kaolinite. The weathering finally changed chlorite into sub-micrometer to micrometer sized Fe minerals and kaolinite. The transformation of chlorite to vermiculite is chemically characterized by an Fe and Mg loss with a slight decrease in the Al/Si ratio. Mg continues to be released throughout the weathering. Fe minerals formed through chlorite weathering are located between chlorite and vermiculite domains (a few μm in size) at first, and then accumulated between grain boundaries, occasionally forming veins. The distribution of Fe minerals is suggestive of preferential pathways of water movement. The time-dependent nature of mineral alteration demonstrated in the present study must be taken into account for the quantitative estimation of radionuclide migration.

Keywords

AlterationChloriteKaoliniteUranium Ore DepositVermiculiteWeathering
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 44 , Issue 2 , April 1996 , pp. 244 - 256
Copyright
Copyright © 1996, The Clay Minerals Society

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