Determination of layer-charge density of expandable 2:1 clay minerals in soils and loess sediments using the alkylammonium method

Abstract

The alkylammonium adsorption method for the determination of layer-charge density was slightly modified and applied to mixtures of expandable clay minerals (i.e. predominantly 18 Å minerals after glycerol sorption) from two loess samples and two soils (Haplaquept and Aquentic Chromudert) having different K-adsorption properties. The layer-charge density of the so-called 18 Å minerals from these sediments and soil samples varied between −0·23 and −0·85 per formula unit, which suggested the presence of different amounts of vermiculite within the 18 Å minerals. The amounts of these vermiculites were related to K-fixing and K-buffering properties of the different samples. High-resolution electron micrographs of vermiculites saturated with tetradecylammonium exhibited a basal spacing of 25 Å. It was confirmed, that the alkylammonium ions in the interlayers of the vermiculites formed a paraffin-type structure. In the fine clay from the loess samples an interstratification of vermiculite and illitic layers was observed.