Weathering reactions mainly involve the transformation of feldspars, phyllosilicates, amphiboles, pyroxenes, and volcanic glass to the secondary mineral groups, kandites, illites, smectites, vermiculites, and/or chlorites. Although mineralogical changes are complex, bulk compositional changes to weathering profiles, resulting from chemical weathering, are simple and predictable from kinetic, thermodynamic, and mass balance considerations. Predicted bulk compositional changes are corroborated by studies of Recent weathering profiles developed on a variety of plutonic and volcanic rocks under different climatic regimes. Unlike the mineralogical compositions of profiles, the bulk compositional trends are not noticeably modified by climate; consequently, the simple, predictable bulk compositional trends observed in recent profiles provide a "norm" to which ancient weathering profiles can be compared. Early diagenetic reactions may occur prior to burial of the profile by reaction of groundwaters with secondary...

Formation and Diagenesis of Weathering Profiles

Halloysite clay minerals are ubiquitous in soils and weathered rocks where they occur in a variety of particle shapes and hydration states. Diversity also characterizes their chemical composition, cation exchange capacity and potassium selectivity. This review summarizes the extensive but scattered literature on halloysite, from its natural occurrence, through its crystal structure, chemical and morphological diversity, to its reactivity toward organic compounds, ions and salts, involving the various methods of differentiating halloysite from kaolinite. No unique test seems to be ideal to distinguish these 1:1 clay minerals, especially in soils. The occurrence of 2:1 phyllosilicate contaminants appears, so far, to provide the best explanation for the high charge and potassium selectivity of halloysite. Yet, hydration properties of the mineral probably play a major role in ion sorption. Clear trends seem to relate particle morphology and structural Fe. However, future work is required to understand the possible mechanisms linking chemical, morphological, hydration and charge properties of halloysite.

Halloysite clay minerals — a review

A crucial aim upon completion of whole genome sequences is the functional analysis of all predicted genes. We have applied a high-throughput RNA-interference (RNAi) screen of 19,470 double-stranded (ds) RNAs in cultured cells to characterize the function of nearly all (91%) predicted Drosophila genes in cell growth and viability. We found 438 dsRNAs that identified essential genes, among which 80% lacked mutant alleles. A quantitative assay of cell number was applied to identify genes of known and uncharacterized functions. In particular, we demonstrate a role for the homolog of a mammalian acute myeloid leukemia gene (AML1) in cell survival. Such a systematic screen for cell phenotypes, such as cell viability, can thus be effective in characterizing functionally related genes on a genome-wide scale.

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Genome-Wide RNAi Analysis of Growth and Viability in Drosophila Cells

The palygorskite-sepiolite group of clay minerals has a wide range of industrial applications derived mainly from its sorptive, rheological and catalytic properties which are based on the fabric, surface area, porosity, crystal morphology, structure and composition of these minerals. For assessing potential industrial uses, the mineralogical and chemical composition of the clay and its basic physical and physico-chemical parameters must be determined. Then some particular properties of commercial interest can be modified and improved by appropriate thermal, mechanical and acid treatments, surface active agents, organo-mineral derivatives formation, etc. In this paper, a revision of the principal characteristics of commercial palygorskite-sepiolite clays is presented, and potential uses are suggested according to these data. New products and applications are being investigated and those concerning environmental protection in particular, are noted. Finally, possible health effects of these elongate clay minerals are discussed. While commercial deposits of palygorskite and sepiolite are rare, these two clay minerals occur relatively frequently in sediments and soils. Both palygorskite and sepiolite clays are so- called 'special clays'. The annual production in the western world for the former is estimated to be around two million tonnes; production comes mainly from the southeastern USA (Miocene deposits in Florida and Georgia), about 1.8 million tonnes in 1989 (Ampian, 1991), and from Senegal, Spain, Australia, India, Turkey, South Africa and France to a much smaller extent. Sepiolite is less abundant than palygors- kite. The former is a typically Spanish mineral; in fact, over 90% of sepiolitic clays are produced in Spain (also from Miocene deposits). Other small operations are in Nevada (USA), Turkey and China. The annual production of sepiolite in Spain is close to 800,000 tonnes (O'Driscoll,

Properties and applications of palygorskite-sepiolite clays

Clays have long been used as catalysts [1] and they retain a continuing important role since they constitute the matrix of many industrial catalysts based on zeolites. Intercalated clays are a new class of materials, in which an homogeneous distribution of micropores can be obtained with pore openings varying from 4 A to 18 A according to the type of pillars. These solids are then attractive because they can adsorb and convert large molecules.

Pillared Clays as Catalysts

This book is number 15 in a series of books titled "Developments in Sedimentology. " The book is devoted largely to the layer silicates of clay size, although macroscopi c chlorites, vermiculite, and sericite are discussed . Other mineral s of clay size are mentioned briefly. One outstanding feature is the extensive compilation of chemical analyses and formulae of these minerals based on their chemical analysis. There are excellent discussions on the origin of these mineral s and the morphology and internal variations in size of the octahedra l and tetrahedral sheet s and rotation and tilting of tetrahedr a to accommodat e the chemical content of the minerals. The chapter of most interest to the reviewer is entitled "Relations of Composition to Structure." The chemistr y of weathering and electrochemica l reactions are treated only to a smal degree. The literature through 1969, for the fields reviewed, is covered extensively, although there are some important omissions. For example, the 2-layer structure of nacrite proposed by Bailey (1963) is not mentioned. This book has considerabl e value in supplementin g other texts on clay mineralogy. Thus, it would be of value to the student in the general area of clay mineralogy as well as being an excellent source of information and references for the researc h worker and teacher.—C. I. RICH, Professor of Agronomy, Dep. of Agronomy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg.

Charles E. Weaver

Papers

The chemistry of clay minerals