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Origin and mineralogy of sepiolite and palygorskite from the tuluanshan formation, eastern Taiwan

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Clays and Clay Minerals

Abstract

The Tuluanshan Formation of the eastern Coastal Range of Taiwan overlies an andesitic core complex presumed to be the source of hydrothermal fluids responsible for the Si- and Mg-rich mineralization of sepiolite and palygorskite (attapulgite) which are found in veins within fissures and in fracture zones of the volcanic rocks of the region. This study was undertaken in order to understand these relationships better by characterizing sepiolite and palygorskite in this Formation and by examining their occurrence and distribution in the Tungho (TH) and Chunjih (CJ) areas. Samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and petrographic, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic methods. Sepiolite and palygorskite are blocky and earthy-type materials that display fibrous characteristics when viewed using TEM and SEM and occurred alone or with chalcedony in veins. The fibers of blocky sepiolite are commonly intercalated with smectite but the earthy type of sepiolite and palygorskite observed in this study displayed precipitation from fluid enriched in Si, Al, Mg, and minor Fe and depleted in other ions at an earlier stage of offset of the andesitic veins. Continuation of reverse faulting and high shearing stress caused the precipitation of a significant quantity of interlaminated sepiolite. Sepiolite and palygorskite were formed at an earlier stage of fluid interaction relative to smectite in the Tuluanshan Formation.

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Author notes

  1. Ruey Chyong Chen

    Present address: Exploration and Development Research Center, Chinese Petroleum Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, 10617

    Ming Kuang Wang & Po Neng Chiang

  2. Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, 70101

    Pao Chung Tseng, Shyun Sheng Chang, Dah Tong Ray & Yun Wei Shen

  3. Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaoshiung, 80424, Taiwan

    Yen Hong Shau

  4. Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, 10617

    Ruey Chyong Chen

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Correspondence to Ming Kuang Wang.

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Wang, M.K., Tseng, P.C., Chang, S.S. et al. Origin and mineralogy of sepiolite and palygorskite from the tuluanshan formation, eastern Taiwan. Clays Clay Miner. 57, 521–530 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2009.0570502

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2009.0570502

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