Geological Aspects and Genesis of Bentonites

Research Article| April 01, 2009 Geological Aspects and Genesis of Bentonites George E. Christidis; George E. Christidis 1Technical University of Crete Department of Mineral Resources Engineering 73100 Chania, Greece E-mail: christid@mred.tuc.gr Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Warren D. Huff Warren D. Huff 2Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA E-mail: warren.huff@uc.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information George E. Christidis 1Technical University of Crete Department of Mineral Resources Engineering 73100 Chania, Greece E-mail: christid@mred.tuc.gr Warren D. Huff 2Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA E-mail: warren.huff@uc.edu Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1811-5217 Print ISSN: 1811-5209 © 2009 by the Mineralogical Society of America Elements (2009) 5 (2): 93–98. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.5.2.93 Article history First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation George E. Christidis, Warren D. Huff; Geological Aspects and Genesis of Bentonites. Elements 2009;; 5 (2): 93–98. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.5.2.93 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Bentonites are clay rocks consisting predominantly of smectite. They form mainly from alteration of pyroclastic and/or volcaniclastic rocks. Extensive deposits, linked to large eruptions, have formed repeatedly in the past. Bentonite layers are useful for stratigraphic correlation and for interpreting the geodynamic evolution of our planet. Bentonites generally form by diagenetic or hydrothermal alteration, favoured by fluids that leach alkali elements and by high Mg content. Smectite composition is partly controlled by parent rock chemistry. Recent studies have shown that bentonite deposits may display cryptic variations in layer charge - i.e. the variations are not visible at the macroscopic scale - and these correlate with physical properties. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.