Mineralogical and Chemical Properties of El-Fa Youm Clays

Abstract

El-Batts Demo Area constitutes a part of El-Fayoum province in Egypt, it is dominated by clay formations 17 meters thickness, covered in part by a thin layer of Pleistocene deposits. XRD studies reveal that smectite is the dominant clay mineral. Kaolinite is the next in frequency. Illite and the mixed layer illite / smectite occur in minor capacities. The minerals smectite and kaolinite are the end product of degradation process. The nonclay minerals, recorded, are detrital quartz, calcite, dolomite, and K-feldspars. The Significance of elemental ratios calculated from chemical data and the mode of distribution of the major elements are discussed. The geochemical criteria indicate a shallow marine sedimentary environment for these clays. A high degree of chemical homogeneity is detected among the examined samples.