The Experimental Transformation of Mica toward Smectite*; Relative Importance of Total Charge and Tetrahedral Substitution

TLDR: In this paper, the influence of crystal-chemical composition on the ease of transformation of micas to vermiculite or more smectite-like minerals is emphasized, and the swelling test, with glycerol, of Mg-saturated mineral is used to characterize the degree of transformation.

Abstract: This article emphasizes the influence of crystal-chemical composition on the ease of transformation of micas to vermiculite or more smectite-like minerals. The swelling test, with glycerol, of Mg-saturated mineral is used to characterize the degree of transformation. The main structural factors of this evolution are tetrahedral substitution of Si by Al, and total charge. There is a relation between these two factors, i.e. the lower the tetrahedral substitution, the greater can be the charge without affecting the smectite swelling behavior. In this respect there is a contrast between tri and dioctahedral micas. In the first, tetrahedral Al is so high (> 1·20 for Si4O10) that transformation into smectite must imply modification of the tetrahedral layer. For dioctahedral micaceous phyllites (illites, glauconites) where tetrahedral charge is lower, transformation can be easier. Only a lowering of total charge is needed and reduction-oxidation seems to play a very important role in this process.