Saponite from Allt Ribhein, Fiskavaig Bay, Skye

Abstract

SummaryThis saponite, which is closely associated with zeolites such as stillbirth, heulandite, thomsonite, and gonnardite, occurs in vesicles in basalt. It has the composition: 1·02M+ (Mg5·84Mn0·01Al0·03Fe0·08) (Si6·99Al1·01)O20(OH)4, according to a new method for calculating the ionic formulae of smectites: this method also enables determination of the temperature at which all sorbed moisture is removed—in this instance about 800°C. The exchangeable cations are largely Ca2+. The chemical, thermal, and X-ray data are discussed with reference to other saponite samples. Electron-microscope examination showed a tendency to elongation in the direction of the α-axis. It is concluded that the saponite is of excellent purity and free from interstratification.