Mineralogy and geochemistry at DSDP Leg 80 Holes

Cenozoic sediments recovered from Sites 548, 549, and 550 were the objects of mineralogical (bulk sample and <2 - µm fraction) and geochemical (HCl extract) studies. Thin sections of rock pebbles embedded in sediments (upper levels at Site 548, particularly) were examined on a polarizing microscope. This study outlines the vertical and lateral variation and evolution of the sedimentation. In the Paleocene and lower Eocene, the clay fraction is abundant and smectite is practically the sole existing clay mineral. High Mn, Al, Fe, Mg, and K contents were measured in HCl extracts. Through the middle Eocene, carbonates become more abundant - highly dominant at Site 548. Metal contents in HCl extracts are very low. The clay fraction, although dominated at all sites by smectites, becomes richer in illite and poorly crystallized chlorite. At the middle/upper Miocene boundary, a significant decrease in the smectite/(illite + chlorite) ratio occurs at all sites, and this decrease continues into the middle Pliocene. This decrease is marked by an abrupt increase of quartz at Site 548. At the two other sites, carbonates remain highly predominant; HCl extracts reflect the relative abundance of the clay and carbonate fractions. After a brief recurrence of smectite in a high-metal-content interval, illite and chlorite become the dominant clay minerals in the upper Pliocene and the Pleistocene, where numerous variations in mineralogical composition occur in the clay fraction (Sites 548 and 549) or in non-clay components (Site 548). Several pebbles of various nature and origin, encountered in different levels of this interval at Site 548, appear to have an ice-rafting origin. This study points out three main breaks in the general evolution of the sedimentation: the first, corresponding to the lower/middle Eocene boundary, is marked by the increase of carbonates and associated elements; the second, corresponding to the middle/upper Miocene boundary, is marked by a major decrease of the smectite/(illite + chlorite) ratio at all sites and by a massive appearance of quartz at Site 548; and the third, which occurred toward the late Pliocene, is marked by the dominance of primary clay minerals and the arrival of ice-rafted pebbles. Our interpretation of results considers paleohydrological and paleoclimatic phenomena. It is suggested that the major middle/late Miocene break was associated with an increase of the deep bottom-water circulation between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, and/or a climatic evolution: humidification and cooling of climate. The changes toward the late Pliocene appear to have been the first effects of the glaciations at the end of Cenozoic.

Mineral and chemical composititon of sediments from ODP Hole 119-740A

ODP Hole 740A is located on the inner part of the East Antarctic continental shelf in Prydz Bay, at the seaward end of a major onshore rift structure known as the Lambert Graben. Drilling at this site led to the recovery of some 65 m of continental sediments (Prydz Bay red beds) that form part of a much thicker (2-3 km) pre-continental breakup sequence, the development of which may be related to the initiation and rifting of the Lambert Graben. Palynological and paleomagnetic studies have not been able to determine the age of the sediments; they may be equivalent to the onshore late Permian Amery Group or younger. The succession consists predominantly of sandstone, siltstone, and claystone arranged in erosively based, pedogenically influenced fining-upward sequences up to 5 m thick. These were deposited by shallow, braided streams draining an extensively vegetated alluvial plain, with sufficient topographic relief to trap fine-grained sediment and inhibit rapid channel shifting. Pedogenic processes were initiated on the alluvial plain, but climatic conditions were generally unsuitable for extensive pedogenic carbonate formation and the development of mature soil profiles. The sediments were probably derived from a rapidly uplifted fault block terrain composed of upper Proterozoic and Archaean gneisses lying to the southeast of the depositional site. Uplift may have taken place along the tectonically active seaward extension of the eastern faulted margin of the Lambert Graben, which passes immediately southeast of Hole 740A. Differences in mineralogical composition between the Amery Group and the Prydz Bay red beds probably reflect differences in rock composition in the source area. The age of the Prydz Bay red beds has still to be resolved.

Geochemistry at DSDP Leg 60

Eocene to Pleistocene volcanogenic sediments from the Mariana Trough and the Mariana arc-trench system have been studied by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and atomic absorption, and with a scanning electron microscope with an X-ray-energy-dispersive attachment. The mineralogical composition of the volcaniclastic sediments (tuffs) is the same as that of the other associated sediments (mudstones). Diagenetic alterations are significant and seem to result from two processes. The first (low-temperature alteration) develops with age and depth; it consists of the genesis of pure smectite, coupled with zeolites (phillipsite, clinoptilolite). The second is limited to sediments immediately overlying basalts and to the altered basalts themselves. It consists of the massive development of palygorskite, and seems to be linked with hydrothermal activity in the igneous basement.

Chemistry of siliciclastic and volcanoclastic sediments of DSDP Site 47-397

The Lower Cretaceous and Miocene sequences of the NW African passive continental margin consist of siliciclastic, volcaniclastic and hybrid sediments. These sediments contain a variety of diagenetic carbonates associated with zeolites, smectite clays and pyrite, reflecting the detrital mineralogical composition and conditions which prevailed during opening of the North Atlantic. In the Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic sediments, siderite (-6 per mil to +0.7per mil d18O PDB, -19.6 per mil to +0.6 per mil d13C PDB) was precipitated as thin layers and nodules from modified marine porewaters with input of dissolved carbon from the alteration of organic matter. Microcrystalline dolomite layers, lenses, nodules and disseminated crystals (-3.0 per mil to +2.5 per mil d18O PDB, -7.2 per mil to +4.9 per mil d13C PDB) predominate in slump and debris-flow deposits within the Lower Miocene sequence. During the opening of the Atlantic, volcanic activity in the Canary Islands area resulted in input of volcaniclastic sediments to the Middle and Upper Miocene sequences. Calcite is the dominant diagenetic carbonate in the siliciclastic-bioclastic-volcaniclastic hybrid and in the volcaniclastic sediments, which commonly contain pore-rimming smectite. Diagenetic calcite (-22 per mil to +1.6 per mil d18O PDB, -35.7 per mil to +0.8 per mil d13C PDB) was precipitated due to the interaction of volcaniclastic and bioclastic grains with marine porewaters. Phillipsite is confined to the alteration of volcaniclastic sediments, whereas clinoptilolite is widely disseminated, occurring essentially within foraminiferal chambers, and formed due to the dissolution of biogenic silica.

Mineralogy at DSDP Leg 78A Holes

This chapter deals with the evolution of clay minerals in Cenozoic sediments from DSDP Sites 541, 542, and 543 east of the Lesser Antilles arc on and near the edge of the Barbados Ridge complex. Throughout the Miocene, smectite exceeds all other minerals at all three sites. From the Pliocene onward, however, illite becomes dominant and chlorite well-represented. Quantitative mineral differences among the three sites are significant up until the top of the Pliocene. But in the Pleistocene, the mineralogical composition becomes exactly the same at all sites. Data from the Caribbean region are used to interpret the results obtained. These involve two supply sources: (1) the adjacent islands that supply smectites and kaolinites, and (2) South America, which is the major source of illite and chlorite. The apparent northward migration of illite and chlorite on the Barbados Ridge complex and the changes reported in the quantitative distribution of the four clay minerals are most probably controlled by northerly currents along the northern coast of South America.

H, O, Sr, and Nd isotope ratios and water, Rb, Sr, Sm, and Nd content of ODP Hole 116-717C and 116-718C samples (Table 2)

Mineralogical and H, O, Sr, and Nd isotope compositions have been analyzed on a set of representative samples from the 17-m.y. section in ODP Leg 116 Holes 717C and 718C. Based on the mineralogical composition of the fraction <2 µm together with the lithogenic-biogenic composition of the fraction >63 µm, the whole section can be subdivided into three major periods of sedimentation. Between 17.1 and 6 m.y., and between 0.8 m.y. to present, the sediments are characterized by sandy and silty turbiditic inputs with a high proportion of minerals derived from a gneissic source without alteration. In the fraction <2 µm, illite and chlorite are dominant over smectite and kaolinite. The granulometric fraction >63 µm contains quartz, muscovite, biotite, chlorite, and feldspars. The 6-to 0.8-m.y. period is represented by an alternation of sandy/silty horizons, muds, and calcareous muds rich in smectite, and kaolinite (50% to 85% of the fraction <2 µm) and bioclastic material. The presence of smectite and kaolinite, as well as the 18O/16O and the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the fraction <2 µm, imply an evolution in a soil environment and exchanges with meteoric ground water. The ranges of isotopic compositions are limited throughout the section: d18O quartz = 11.7 to 13.3 per mil, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.733 to 0.760 and epsilon-Nd (0) = -17.4 to -13.8. These values are within those of the High Himalaya Crystalline series, and they are considered to reflect this source region. The data imply that, since 17 Ma, this formation has supplied the major part of the eroded material.

Physico-chemical parameters of sediment core PG1975-1 (09-Tik-05) from a Tundra Lake, Northeastern Siberia

The relationships between thermokarst activity, limnogeological processes and climate change in the Siberian Arctic are not well understood. The objective of this paper is to identify the factors controlling the patterns of deposition, using grain size distribution, organic content, elemental composition and mineralogical composition of a 137-cm long sediment core with a maximum age of ~10.9 cal. kyr BP from Lake El'gene-Kyuele in the tundra of northeastern Siberia. Eight fine sand layers are attributed to depositional events associated with thaw slump activity acting upon orthogonally oriented patterns of ice-wedge networks in the ice-rich permafrost on the NW margin of the lake catchment. Sr/Rb ratios, which correspond to the total feldspar and illite content, serve as high-resolution grain size proxies. The Br content relates to the total organic carbon content, and the Fe/Mn ratio reflects the degree of oxidisation. Our results indicate a relationship between repeated phases of fine sand input and retrogressive thaw slumping dependent on hydroclimate variability and orthogonally oriented ice-wedge networks within the catchment.

Mineralogy and isotope chemistry of GISP2 and potential source areas

Samples of dust from the Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 (GISP2) ice core, Summit, Greenland, dated within marine isotope stage 2 (between 23,340 and 26,180 calendar years B.P.) around the time of the coldest, local, last glacial temperatures, have been analyzed to determine their provenance. To accomplish this, we have compared them with approximately Coeval aeolian sediments (mostly loesses) sampled in possible source areas (PSAs) from around the northern hemisphere. The <5-µm grain-size fraction of these samples was analyzed on the basis that it corresponds to the atmospheric dust component of that time and locale, which was sufficiently fine grained to be transported over long distances. On the basis of comparison of the clay mineralogy and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope composition with ice dust and PSAs and assuming that we have sampled the most important PSAs, we have determined that the probable source area of these GISP2 dusts was in eastern Asia. The dust was not derived from either the midcontinental United States or the Sahara, two more proximal areas that have been suggested as potential sources based on atmospheric circulation modeling. Except for a brief period during an interstadial, when dust transport was exceptionally low (for glacial times) and had a mineralogical composition indicative of a slightly more southern provenance, the source area of the dust did not change significantly during times of variably higher fluxes of dust with larger mean grain size or lower fluxes of dust with smaller mean grain size. This includes the high-dust period that correlates with the Heinrich 2 period of major iceberg discharge into the North Atlantic. Variable wind strengths must therefore be invoked to account for these abrupt and significant changes in dust flux and grain size.

Digital image processing techniques as a tool for evaluating and mapping patinas on granite monuments

Monument conservation is related to the interaction between the original petrological parameters of the rock and external factors in the area where the building is sited, such as weather conditions, pollution, and so on. Depending on the environmental conditions and the characteristics of the materials used, different types of weathering predominate. In all, the appearance of surface crusts constitutes a first stage, whose origin can often be traced to the properties of the material itself. In the present study, different colours of “patinas” were distinguished by defining the threshold levels of greys associated with “pathology” in the histogram. These data were compared to background information and other parameters, such as mineralogical composition, porosity, and so on, as well as other visual signs of deterioration. The result is a map of the pathologies associated with “cover films” on monuments, which generate images by relating colour characteristics to desired properties or zones of interest.

Geochemical fingerprints and controls in the sediments of an urban river: River Manzanares, Madrid (Spain)

The geochemical fingerprint of sediment retrieved from the banks of the River Manzanares as it passes through the City of Madrid is presented here. The river collects the effluent water from several Waste Water Treatment (WWT) plants in and around the city, such that, at low flows, up to 60% of the flow has been treated. A total of 18 bank-sediment cores were collected along the course of the river, down to its confluence with the Jarama river, to the south–east of Madrid. Trace and major elements in each sample were extracted following a double protocol: (a) “Total” digestion with HNO3, HClO4 and HF; (b) “Weak” digestion with sodium acetate buffered to pH=5 with acetic acid, under constant stirring. The digests thus obtained were subsequently analysed by ICP-AES, except for Hg which was extracted with aqua regia and sodium chloride-hydroxylamine sulfate, and analysed by Cold Vapour-AAS. X-ray diffraction was additionally employed to determine the mineralogical composition of the samples. Uni- and multivariate analyses of the chemical data reveal the influence of Madrid on the geochemistry of Manzanares' sediments, clearly manifested by a marked increase in the concentration of typically “urban” elements Ag, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn, downstream of the intersection of the river with the city's perimeter. The highest concentrations of these elements appear to be associated with illegal or accidental dumping of waste materials, and with the uncontrolled incorporation of untreated urban runoff to the river. The natural matrix of the sediment is characterised by fairly constant concentrations of Ce, La and Y, whereas changes in the lithology intersected by the river cause corresponding variations in Ca–Mg and Al–Na contents. In the final stretch of the river, the presence of carbonate materials seems to exert a strong geochemical control on the amount of Zn and, to a lesser extent, Cu immobilised in the sediments. This fact suggests that a variable but significant proportion of both elements may be susceptible to reincorporation in the aqueous phase under realistic environmental conditions.

Avaliação da interação entre o persulfato de potássio com solos brasileiros para a utilização da tecnologia de remediação por oxidação química in situ.

Recentemente, o uso de persulfato em processo de oxidação química in situ em áreas contaminadas por compostos orgânicos ganhou notoriedade. Contudo, a matriz sólida do solo pode interagir com o persulfato, favorecendo a formação de radicais livres, evitando o acesso do oxidante até o contaminante devido a oxidação de compostos reduzidos presentes no solo ou ainda pela alteração das propriedades hidráulicas do solo. Essa pesquisa teve como objetivos avaliar se as interações entre a solução de persulfato com três solos brasileiros poderiam eventualmente interferir sua capacidade de oxidação bem como se a interação entre eles poderia alterar as propriedades hidráulicas do solo. Para isso, foram realizados ensaios de oxidação do Latossolo Vermelho (LV), Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo (LVA) e Neossolo Quartzarênico (NQ) com solução de persulfato (1g/L e 14g/L) por meio de ensaios de batelada, bem como a oxidação do LV por solução de persulfato (9g/L e 14g/L) em colunas indeformadas. Os resultados mostraram que o decaimento do persulfato seguiu modelo de primeira ordem e o consumo do oxidante não foi finito. A maior constante da taxa de reação (kobs) foi observada para o reator com LV. Essa maior interação foi decorrente da diferença na composição mineralógica e área específica. A caulinita, a gibbsita e os óxidos de ferro apresentaram maior interação com o persulfato. A redução do pH da solução dos reatores causou a lixiviação do alumínio e do ferro devido a dissolução dos minerais. O ferro mobilizado pode ter participado como catalisador da reação, favorecendo a formação de radicais livres, mas foi o principal responsável pelo consumo do oxidante. Parte do ferro oxidado pode ter sido precipitado como óxido cristalino favorecendo a obstrução dos poros. Devido à maior relação entre massa de persulfato e massa de solo, a constante kobs obtida no ensaio com coluna foi 23 vezes maior do que a obtida no ensaio de batelada, mesmo utilizando concentração 1,5 vezes menor no ensaio com coluna. Houve redução na condutividade hidráulica do solo e o fluxo da água mostrou-se heterogêneo após a oxidação devido a mudanças na estrutura dos minerais. Para a remediação de áreas com predomínio de solos tropicais, especialmente do LV, pode ocorrer a formação de radicais livres, mas pode haver um consumo acentuado e não finito do oxidante. Verifica-se que o pH da solução não deve ser inferior a 5 afim de evitar a mobilização de metais para a água subterrânea e eventual obstrução dos poros por meio da desagregação dos grãos de argila.

(Appendix) Oxygen isotope record and carbonate mineralogy of the top part of ODP Hole 101-633A

Hole 633A was drilled in the southern part of Exuma Sound on the toe-of-slope of the southeastern part of Great Bahama Bank during ODP Leg 101. The top 55 m, collected as a suite of six approximately 9.5-m-long hydraulic piston cores, represents a Pliocene-Pleistocene sequence of periplatform carbonate ooze, a mixture of pelagic calcite (foraminifer and coccolith tests), some pelagic aragonite (pteropod tests), and bank-derived fine aragonite and magnesian calcite. A 1.6-m.y.-long hiatus was identified at 43.75 mbsf using calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy. The 43.75-m-thick periplatform sequence above the hiatus is a complete late Pliocene-Quaternary record of the past 2.15 m.y. The d18O curve, primarily based on Globigerinoides sacculifera, clearly displays high-frequency/low-amplitude cycles during the early Pleistocene and low-frequency/high-amplitude cycles during the middle and late Pleistocene. Variations in aragonite content in the fine fraction of the periplatform ooze show a cyclic pattern throughout the Pleistocene, as previously observed in piston cores of the upper Pleistocene. These variations correlate well with the d18O record: high aragonite corresponds to light interglacial d18O values, and vice versa. Comparison of the d18O record and the aragonite curve helps to identify 23 interglacial and glacial oxygen-isotope stages, corresponding to 10.5 aragonite cycles (labeled A to K) commonly established during the middle and late Pleistocene (0.9 Ma-present). Strictly based on the aragonite curve, another 11 aragonite cycles, labeled L to V, were identified for the early Pleistocene (0.9 to 1.6 Ma). Mismatches between the d18O record and the aragonite curve occur mainly at some of the glacial-to-interglacial transitions, where aragonite increases usually lag behind d18O depletion. When one visually connects the minima on the Pleistocene aragonite curve, low-frequency (0.4 to 0.5 m.y.) supercycles seem to be superimposed on the high-frequency cycles. The timing of this supercycle roughly matches the timing of the Pleistocene carbonate preservation supercycles described in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. Mismatches between aragonite and d18O cycles are even more obvious for the late Pliocene (1.6 to 2.15 Ma). Irregular aragonite variations are observed for the late Pliocene, although after the onset of late Pleistocene-like glaciations in the North Atlantic Ocean 2.4 m.y. ago the d18O record has shown a mode of high-frequency/low-amplitude cycles. Initiation of climatically induced aragonite cycles occurs only at the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition, 1.6 m.y. ago. After that time, aragonite cycles are fully developed throughout the Quaternary. The 11-m-thick periplatform sequence below the hiatus represents a lower Pliocene interval between 3.75 and 4.45 Ma. The bottom half (4.25-4.45 Ma) has a fairly constant, high aragonite content (averaging 60%) and high sedimentation rates (28 m/m.y.) and corresponds to the end of the prolonged early Pliocene interglacial interval (4.1-5.0 Ma), established as a worldwide high sea-level stand. The second half (3.75-4.25 Ma), in which aragonite content decreases by successive steps, paralleled by a gradual 5180 enrichment in Globigerinoides sacculifera and low sedimentation rates (10 m/m.y), corresponds to the climatic deterioration established worldwide between 4.1 and 3.8 Ma, to a decrease of carbonate preservation observed in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, and to a global sea-level decline. Dolomite, a ubiquitous secondary component in the lower Pliocene, is interpreted as being authigenic and possibly related to diagenetic transformation of primary bank-derived fine magnesian calcite. Transformation of the primary mineralogical composition of the periplatform ooze was evidently minor, as the sediments have retained a detailed record of the Pliocene-Pleistocene climatic evolution. Clear evidence of diagenetic transformations in the periplatform ooze includes (1) the disappearance of magnesian calcite in the upper 20 m of Hole 633A, (2) the occurrence of calcite overgrowths on foraminiferal tests and microclasts at intermittent chalky core levels, and (3) the ubiquitous presence of authigenic dolomite in the lower Pliocene.

(Table 1) Grain size results, statistical parameters and magnetic susceptibility values of disturbed sediments from ODP holes 204-1249C and 204-1245B

Soupy and mousse-like fabrics are disturbance sedimentary features that result from the dissociation of gas hydrate, a process that releases water. During the core retrieval process, soupy and mousse-like fabrics are produced in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments due to changes in pressure and temperature conditions. Therefore, the identification of soupy and mousse-like fabrics can be used as a proxy for the presence of gas hydrate in addition to other evidence, such as pore water freshening or anomalously cool temperature. We present here grain-size results, mineralogical composition and magnetic susceptibility data of soupy and mousse-like samples from the southern Hydrate Ridge (Cascadia accretionary complex) acquired during Leg 204 of the Ocean Drilling Program. In order to study the relationship between sedimentary texture and the presence of gas hydrates, we have compared these results with the main textural and compositional data available from the same area. Most of the disturbed analyzed samples from the summit and the western flank of southern Hydrate Ridge show a mean grain size coarser than the average mean grain size of the hemipelagic samples from the same area. The depositional features of the sediments are not recognised due to disturbance. However, their granulometric statistical parameters and distribution curves, and magnetic susceptibility logs indicate that they correspond to a turbidite facies. These results suggest that gas hydrates in the southern Hydrate Ridge could form preferentially in coarser grain-size layers that could act as conduits feeding gas from below the BSR. Two samples from the uppermost metres near the seafloor at the summit of the southern Hydrate Ridge show a finer mean grain-size value than the average of hemipelagic samples. They were located where the highest amount of gas hydrates was detected, suggesting that in this area the availability of methane gas was high enough to generate gas hydrates, even within low-permeability layers. The mineralogical composition of the soupy and mousse-like sediments does not show any specific characteristic with respect to the other samples from the southern Hydrate Ridge.

Sedimentology of surface sediments from the continental shelf and slope off West Africa (Table 1)

Samples from sutface sediments of the shell, continental slope, and adjacent deep sea regions off West Africa between 27° N and 15° N were investigated with respect to grain size distribution of the total samples, sand contents of the acid insoluble residues, carbonate content of the total samples, and the separate grain size fractions, specific surfaces, colours and mineralogical composition of the clay fractions. The grain size distributions of the total samples of the sediments of the shelf and the continental slope off Spanish-Sahara are controlled mainly by biogenic components. The supply of terrigeneous material in this area is very low. At deeper parts of the continental slope and in the deep sea areas, the relative amounts of carbonate minerals in the sediments are considerably reduced. The prevailing sand contents of the upper slope changes into clay dominance. On the shelf of Mauritania - represented by profiles extending down to 200 m water depth - the grain size is also controlled mainly by biogenic carbonates. Nevertheless, the admixture of fossil silicate components is important, too. The southern parts of the area is investigated are located in a region influenced by sediments of the Senegal River, which especially control the contents of silt and clay. The silicate sands, predominately of quartz, are fossil and form a mixed sediment with younger deposits. The carbonate contents of the different grain size fractions are formed either by sedimentation of carbonate and silicate particles of the respective grain size or by autochtonous disintegration of coarser sediment particles, as shown by the occurence of Mg-rich calcite and especially aragonite in the clay sized fraction. In the northern parts of the area investigated, which have very minute terrigeneous supply, the latter mechanism is the dominant factor, controlling the carbonate contents of the fine grain sized fractions. In the vicinity of the mouth of the Senegal the carbonate contents are influenced by extremely high dilution with terrigencous silicates. Mg-rich calcite and aragonite are produced preferentially in shallow slope and shelf areas up to 500 m of water depth. The specific surfaces of the carbonate-free clay fractions indicate that the clay fractions of the shelfareas with little terrigenous supply consits of relatively coarser particles. Very fine particles are removed and transported towards the deep sea. Lateral differentiation of this kind was not observed in the area off Senegal. The high surface areas, characterizing the clay fractions of this region, are thought to be due to high montmorillonite contents as was found for deep seas sediments. The mineralogical composition of the clay fraction from the southern parts of the area is characterized by high kaolinite and montmorillonite contents, while in the northern illite is predominating. At least two types of montmorillionites are present: in areas influenced by the Senegal mostly one type was found, which could swell to 17; on the shelves and slopes of the other regions the montmorillonite-group is represented by a montmorillonite-mica-type mixed-layer mineral. A "glauconite", found in the sand fraction, which had very similar properties to those of the montmorillonite-mica mixed-layer, is believed to be the source of this mixed-layer-type mineral. Palygorskite is present in all samples out of range of the Senegal supply. It may be an indicator of eolian transported material. The occurence of rich palygorskit deposits in the arid hinterlands emphasizes the terrestrial origin.