The nature of component layers of mixed-layer illite-smectite and their possible evolution in the course of illitization have been debated since the 1960s. The present study is a new attempt to solve these problems, using samples collected from diverse geological formations around the world. ...
Layer charge (LC) is a fundamental property of smectite but its measurement remains challenging and tedious to apply on a high-throughput basis. The present study demonstrates that the position of a sharp, high-energy O-D stretching band of adsorbed D2O (vO-D, at ~2686-2700 cm-1 ), determined...
Surface characteristics of sedimentary opal-A and -CT were investigated for a large collection of samples from the Monterey Formation, California, based on the bulk rock mineral and chemical analysis, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and water content. Two approaches were used: (1) modeling bulk CEC and...
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is among most important properties of sedimentary rocks, broadly applied in various means of geosciences research and industry. The organic matter (OM) in ancient black shales is thought to be a negligible source of cation exchange capacity (CEC), due to the...
The increasing exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources hosted by oil and gas shales demands the correct measurement of certain properties of sedimentary rocks rich in organic matter (OM). Two essential properties of OM-rich shales, the total specific surface area (TSSA) and cation exchange capacity...
The illitization reaction in a thick K-bentonite bed located in upper Cretaceous marine shale in the Montana disturbed belt was studied by X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Modeling of the experimental XRD patterns from oriented clay specimens in air-dried and glycolated states...