Abstract:
The caly mineral composition of ten selected samples from Warcha Formation exposed at Burikhel was investigated to understand their distribution from base to the top of the Formation. The most abundant clay minerals present are illite, kaolinite, and the mixed-layer clay mineral, recognized as illite-vermiculite. The minor clay minerals are chlorite, smectite, vermiculite, and the mixed-layer clay mineral identified as chlorite-vermiculite. The clay mineral composition from base to top indicates depositional and diagenetic changes in the Warcha Formation. The presence of kaolinite in most of the samples reflects fresh water to brackish water environment. The clay mineral kaolinite is partly detrital and partly diagenetic in origin. The clay minerals illite and chlorite are detrital in origin. The detrital nature of the clay minerals e.g. illite, chlorite and smectite suggests the active and deep erosion of the continental areas during the deposition of the Warcha Formation.
Page(s):
19-26
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Acta mineralogica pakistanica, Volume: 12, Issue: 1, Year: 2001