Abstract
Extremely low abrasion pH values characterize the weathering products of the Partridge Formation, a Middle-Ordovician metamorphosed, black, sulfidic shale. The local occurence is observed of two sulfates that are rare in the northeastrn U. S. : pickeringite and jarosite. X-ray diffraction studies of the weathering residues and the sulfate efflorescences have also identified dioctahedral and trioctahedral illite, kaolinite, vermiculite, and an 11-12 A phase, thought to be a type of randomly-interstratified biotite-vermiculite. From the mineralogical studies, qualitative weathering processes for the schist are formulated. A probable mechanism for the intense chemical weathering of the schist appears to be oxidation of iron sulfides to form iron oxide-hydroxides, sulfates, and sulfuric acid. This natural weathering process is proposed as an analog to anthropogenic low pH rock weathering resulting from acid precipitation. Refs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 209-215 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Environmental geology New York |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
State | Published - 1983 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Engineering
- General Medicine
- Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
- General Environmental Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Science and Technology