| Abstract: | Fine clay fractions of two soils and five geological materials including three formed in late Wisconsinan glacial rock flour were separated by decantation and centrifugation procedures. X-ray diffractograms (XRD) showed mica and chlorite as the main components. Pyrosulfate fusion which removed the phyllosilicates and iron oxides revealed presence of quartz and some feldspars. After dilute H2SiF6 treatment, blade-shaped, platy and sheroidal particles mainly of 0.2–0.1 μm size were observed by scanning electron microscope. Fine feldspars and quartz were found to be susceptible to the chemical treatments. On treatment with diluted H2SiF6 + HF + H3BO3, the crystallinity of fine quartz was considerably decreased as indicated by a very broad diffraction maximum at a spacing of about 4 Å. |
