Source minerals and formation of partially interlayered vermiculites in Dystrochrepts derived from Tertiary sediments

SUMMARY The formation of partially interlayered vermiculite (PIV) was studied in six Dystrochrepts derived from Tertiary sediments. Mineralogy of silt and clay fractions of gravel and fine earth separated from surface and subsurface samples were determined by X‐ray diffraction. PIV, mica, vermiculite and regularly interstratified 1:1 PIV/chlorite (PIV/Ch(l:l)) were the dominant clay minerals. The contents of these minerals were compared between the specific particle‐size fractions of gravel and fine earth for each sample and the difference was interpreted in terms of mineral transformation associated with soil formation. PIV was formed from mica and PIV/Ch(l:l) in soils with a pH(KCl) of 3.5 to 4.0 and little organic matter. Vermiculite was formed from mica in surface soils with a low pH (pH(KCl) 3.5) and abundant organic matter. PIV would form directly from mica without an intermediary phase of vermiculite and form from PIV/Ch(l:l) by partial dissolution of interlayers in chlorite layers.