Environmental association of clay minerals with potassium concentrations in soils close to an abandoned manganese mine - A multivariate and GIS analytical approach

Abstract

Environmental implications resulting from association of clay minerals with K concentrations in soils close to an abandoned Mn oxide mine were investigated. Clay minerals in the < 4 μm fraction of soil samples were determined by X-ray powder diffractometry, and K concentrations in the bulk samples by flame photometry. Identified kaolinite, illite and muscovite were semi-quantified. Potassium concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 2.9 cmol ckg-1. Correlation coefficients depicted very weak negative association except kaolinite/illite which was moderate and kaolinite/K weak but positive. Four clusters were generated: cluster one consisted mainly of illite in major quantities; cluster two, muscovite in trace or more quantities; cluster three, illite in trace or more quantities and more K than the others; and cluster four, kaolinite in minor quantities. Spatial distibution of data presented four successions of mainly illite and kaolinite which were related to the clusters, clay minerals genesis, and vegetation cover of the area. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.