Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T10:39:39.317Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Geology and Mineralogy of the Sedimentary Kaolins of the Southeastern United States—A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Thomas F. Bates
Thomas F. Bates*
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Beginning with the work of Ladd in 1898, much has been written about the kaolins of the Southeast, with maximum coverage on the deposits of greatest economic value. Early studies were, of necessity, general in nature but also contain excellent detailed descriptions. In the past 15 years increased demands for kaolins to meet specific requirements have resulted in a large amount of detailed research, much of it unpublished. This paper attempts to review the available information placing emphasis upon the geologic and mineralogical data and the interpretation thereof with respect to the occurrence, detailed character and variability, and probable origin of the clay deposits.

The commercial deposits of kaolin clay discussed herein lie throughout the sands of the Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa formation and are localized in a narrow belt along the southeast edge of the “fall line” from Macon, Georgia, to Aiken, South Carolina. The kaolin lenses are irregular in shape, size and purity, ranging from a few feet to a mile in length, and up to 50 ft in thickness. Variability within the lenses is a function of (1) the concentration and localization of non-clay materials (quartz, mica, gibbsite, pyrite, lignite; Fe2O3, TiO2, MnO), (2) the montmorillonite content, (3) the particle size and X-ray crystallinity of the kaolinite, and (4) the texture of the clay aggregate. These mineralogical, chemical and textural variables are not homogeneously distributed but reveal and help to explain differences between samples, layers, pits and the important hard and soft clay types of the region.

Type
Symposium on Kaolinite
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals (National Conference on Clays and Clay Minerals) , Volume 12 , February 1963 , pp. 177 - 194
Copyright
Copyright © The Clay Minerals Society 1963

References

Adler, H. H., Kerr, P. F., Bray, E. E., Stevens, N. P., Hunt, J. M., Keller, W. D., and Pickett, E. E. (1950) Infrared spectra of reference clay minerals: Prelim. Rept. 8, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj., v. 49, 146 pp.Google Scholar
Anonymous (1959) Certain properties of selected Southeastern United States soils and mineralogical procedures for their study: Southern Regional Bull. 61, Coop. Regional Res. Proj. S-14, Va. Ag. Expt. Sta., Va. Polytechnic Institute.Google Scholar
Brindley, G. W. (1957) Fuller's earth from near Dry Branch, Georgia, a montmorillonite -cristobalite clay: Clay Min. Bull., v. 3, pp. 167–169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cady, J. (1950) Rock weathering and soil formation in the North Carolina Piedmont region: Soil Sci. Soc. Proc., v. 15, pp. 337–342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cooke, C. W. (1926) Correlation of the basal Cretaceous beds of the Southeastern United States: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 140, pp. 137–139.Google Scholar
Cooke, C. W. (1936) Geology of the Coastal Plain of South Carolina: U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 867, pp. 15–19, 96-132, 154-157.Google Scholar
Cooke, C. W. (1943) Geology of the Coastal Plain of Georgia: U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 941, pp. 8–10, 77-106.Google Scholar
Davis, D. W., Rochow, T. G., Rowe, F. G., Fuller, M. L., Kerr, P. F., and Hamilton, P. K, (1950) Electron micrographs of reference clay minerals: Prelim. Rept. 6, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj. v. 49, 17 pp. 42 plates.Google Scholar
Eargle, D. H. (1955) Stratigraphy of the outcropping Cretaceous rocks of Georgia: U.S. Geol Surv. Bull. 1014, pp. 8, 83-86.Google Scholar
Espenshade, G. H., and Potter, D. B. (1960) Kyanite, Sillimanite, and Andalusite deposits of the Southeastern States: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 336, pp. 1–121.Google Scholar
Grant, W. H. (1963) Weathering of Stone Mountain granite: Clays and Clay Minerals, 11th Conf., Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 65–74.Google Scholar
Henry, A. V., and Vaughan, W. H. (1937) Geologic and technologic aspects of the sedimentary kaolins of Georgia: Am. Inst, of Mining and Metal. Eng., Tech. Pub. 774, pp. 3–5.Google Scholar
Hinckley, D. N. (1961) Mineralogical and chemical variations in the kaolin deposits of the Coastal Plain of Georgia and South Carolina: Ph.D. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, 194 pp.Google Scholar
Hinckley, D. N. (1963) Variability in “crystallinity” values among the kaolin deposits of the Coastal Plain of Georgia and South Carolina: Clays and Clay Minerals, 11th Conf., Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 229–235.Google Scholar
Hinckley, D. N. and Bates, T. F. (1960a) An X-ray fluorescence method for the quantitative determination of small amounts of montmorillonite in kaolin clays: Am. Mineral, v. 45, pp. 239–241.Google Scholar
Hinckley, D. N., and Bates, T. F. (1960b) Evaluation of the amount and distribution of montmorillonite in some Georgia and South Carolina clays: Clays and Clay Minerals, 8th Conf., Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 18–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, R. J. (1950) Reference clay localities—-Europe: Prelim. Rept. 4, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj., v. 49, 101 pp.Google Scholar
Kerr, P. F., and Hamilton, P. K, (1949) Glossary of clay mineral names: Prelim. Rept. 1, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj., v. 49, 66 pp.Google Scholar
Kerr, P. F., Hamilton, P. K., Pill, R. J., Wheeler, G. V., Lewis, D. R., Burkhardt, D. R., Taylor, G. L., Mielenz, R. C., King, M. E., and Schieitz, N. S. (1950) Analytical data on reference clay minerals: Prelim. Rept. 7, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj. v. 49, 161 pp.Google Scholar
Kerr, P. F., and Kulp, J. L. (1949) Reference clay localities—-United States: Prelim. Rept. 2, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj., v. 49, 103 pp.Google Scholar
Kerr, P. F., Kulp, J. L., and Hamilton, P. K. (1949) Differential thermal analyses of reference clay mineral specimens: Prelim. Rept. 3, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj., v. 49, 48 pp.Google Scholar
Kesler, T. L. (1951) Occurrence and explorations of Georgia's kaolin deposits: Mining Eng., v. 3, pp. 879–885.Google Scholar
Kesler, T. L. (1956) Environment and origin of the Cretaceous kaolin deposits of Georgia and South Carolina: Econ. Geol., v. 51, pp. 541–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kesler, T. L. (1963) Environment and origin of the Cretaceous kaolin deposits of Georgia and South Carolina: Ga. Mineral Newsletter, v. 16, pp. 3–11.Google Scholar
Klinefelter, T. A., O'Meara, R. G., Truesdell, G. C., and Gottlieb, S. (1943) Hard and soft kaolins of Georgia: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Inv. 3682, pp. 1–20.Google Scholar
Krynine, P. D. (1948) The megascopic study and field classification of sedimentary rocks: J. Geol, v. 56, pp. 130–165.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ladd, G. E. (1898) A preliminary report on a part of the clays of Georgia: Ga. Geol Surv. Bull. v. 6-A, pp. 81–87.Google Scholar
LaMoreaux, P. E. (1946) Geology and ground-water resources of the Coastal Plain of East-Central Georgia: Ga. Geol Surv. Bull, v. 52, 173 pp.Google Scholar
Lang, W. B. (1940) The sedimentary kaolinitic clays of South Carolina: U.S. Geol Surv. Bull, v. 901, pp. 23–81.Google Scholar
Le Grand, E. E., and Furcron, A. S. (1956) Geology and ground-water resources of Central-East Georgia: Ga. Geol. Surv. Bull, v. 64, 120 pp.Google Scholar
Main, M. S., Kerr, P. F., and Hamilton, P. K. (1950) Occurrence and microscopic examination of reference clay mineral specimens: Prelim. Rept. 5, Am. Petrol. Inst. Proj., v. 49, 58 pp.Google Scholar
Mark, H. R. (1963) High-alumina kaolinitic clay in the United States: U.S. Geol Surv. Mineral Inv. Resource Map MR-37, pp. 1–22.Google Scholar
Mitchell, L., and Henry, E. C. (1943) The nature of Georgia kaolin, I, Evidence of chemical and colloidal analysis: J. Am. Ceram. Soc., v. 26, pp. 105–113.Google Scholar
Mitchell, L., and Henry, E. C. (1943) The nature of Georgia kaolin, II, Evidence of mineralogica! analysis: J. Am. Ceram. Soc., v. 26, pp. 113–119.Google Scholar
Munyan, A. C. (1943) Subsurface stratigraphy and lithology of the Tuscaloosa formation in the Southeastern Gulf Coastal Plain: Am. Assn. Petrol Geol Bull, v. 27, pp. 596–607.Google Scholar
Murray, E. H. (1963) Mining and processing industrial kaolins: Ga. Mineral Newsletter, v. 16, pp. 12–19.Google Scholar
Murray, E. H., and Lyons, S. C. (1956) Correlation of paper-coating quality with degree of crystal perfection of kaolinite: Clays and Clay Minerals, Nat'l. Acad. Sci.—Nat'l. Res. Council, pub. 456, pp. 31–40.Google Scholar
Murray, E. H., and Lyons, S. C. (1960) Further correlations of kaolinite crystallinity with chemical and physical properties: Clays and Clay Minerals, 8th Conf., Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 11–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neumann, F. R. (1927) Origin of the Cretaceous white clays of South Carolina: Econ. Geol, v. 22, pp. 374–387.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ries, H. (1903) The clays of the United States east of the Mississippi: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof: Paper 11, 298 pp.Google Scholar
Ries, H. (1927) Clays, their occurrence, Properties and Uses: John Wiley and Sons, New York, 3rd Ed., 616 pp.Google Scholar
Ries, H., Bayley, W. S., and others (1922) High-grade clays of the eastern United States, with notes on some western clays: U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull., v. 708, 314 pp.Google Scholar
Ross, C. S., and Kerr, P. F. (1930) The kaolin minerals: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 165-E, pp. 151–180.Google Scholar
Sand, L. B. (1956) On the genesis of residual kaolins: Am. Mineralv.41 pp. 28–40.Google Scholar
Sand, L. V., and Bates, T. F. (1953) Mineralogy of the residual kaolins of the Southern Appalachians (Abstract): Am. Mineral., v. 38, p. 358.Google Scholar
Schofield, R. K., and Sampson, H. R. (1954) Flocculation of kaolinite due to the attraction of oppositely charged crystal faces: Discussions Faraday Soc., v. 18, pp. 135–145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sloan, E. (1904) A preliminary report on the clays of South Carolina: S. S. Geol. Surv, ser.4, Bull. 1, 175 pp.Google Scholar
Smith, E. A., and Johnson, L. C. (1887) Tertiary and Cretaceous strata of the Tuscaloosa. Tombigbee and Alabama Rivers: U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 43, 189 pp.Google Scholar
Smith, R. W. (1929) Sedimentary kaolins of the Coastal Plain of Georgia: Ga. Geol. Surv. Bull. 44, pp. 30–32.Google Scholar
Stephenson, L. W. (1911) in Veatch, O., and Stephenson, L. W., Preliminary report on the geology of the Coastal Plain of Georgia: Ga. Geol. Surv. Bull. 26, 466 pp.Google Scholar
Stephenson, L. W. (1914) Cretaceous deposits of the eastern Gulf region and species of Exogyra from the eastern Gulf region and the Carolinas: U.S. Geol. Prof. Paper 81, 77 pp.Google Scholar
Stephenson, L. W., King, F. V., Monroe, W. H. and Imlay, R. W. (1942) Correlation of the outcropping Cretaceous formations of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain and Trans-Pecos Texas: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 53, pp. 435–448.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stull, R. T., and Bole, G. A. (1926) Benefication and utilization of Georgia clays: U.S. Bur. Mines Bull. 252, 72 pp.Google Scholar
Thompson, R. M. (1943) Geologic maps of the principal clay area of Twiggs County, Georgia: U.S. Geol. Surv. Strategic Mineral Inv. Preliminary Map.Google Scholar
Thompson, R. M. (1943) Geologic map of the principal clay area of Washington County, Georgia: U.S. Geol. Surv. Strategic Mineral Inv. Preliminary Map.Google Scholar
Veatch, O. (1908) Kaolins of the Dry Branch Region, Georgia: Econ. Geol., v. 3, pp. 109117.Google Scholar
Veatch, O. (1909) Second report on the clay deposits of Georgia: Ga. Geol. Surv. Bull. 18, 453 pp.Google Scholar
Warren, W. C., and Thompson, R. M. (1943) Bauxite and kaolin deposits of Wilkinson County, Georgia: U.S. Geol. Surv. Strategic Mineral. Inv. Prelim. Map.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weigel, W. M. (1922) The white-clay industry in the vicinity of Langley, S. C.: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Inv. 2382, 51 pp.Google Scholar
Weigel, W. M, (1925) Georgia and Alabama clay as fillers: U.S. Bur. Mines, Tech. Paper 343, 34 pp.Google Scholar
Woodward, L. A. (1955) Variations in viscosity of clay-water suspensions of Georgia kaolins: in Clays and Clay Minerals, Nat'l. Acad, Sci.-Nat'l. Res. Council, pub. 395 pp. 246-259.Google Scholar