Characterization of a hard opaline clayey bed overlying phosphates from Esh-Shidiya area, se of Jordan

Abstract EN

The top two meters of a yellowish clayey bed in Esh-Shidiya area are characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Scanning electron microscope techniques.

The clay rich bed is composed of octahedral spectate (100 % expandability), quartz, and goethite.

The SEM photos have indicated that there is a close relationship between the octahedral spectate and silica phases (quartz and amorphous silica).

The porous nature of the silica rich bed that overlies a porcelain (tripoli) layer and the nature of the continuous growth of smectite plates suggest a diatomite rich precursor.