Chapter 3 Clay Chemistry & Shale Characterisation

Question 1

Chemical composition of clay

The type of clay mineral will depend on:

Answer 1

• the ratios of the silica to octahedral layer
• the nature of ions in bedded in these structures
• other ions associated with the structures

Question 2

Basic building blocks of clay

Answer 2

Major : Silica, Alumina, Water
Minor : Fe, Mg, Na, K

2 building blocks of clay:
- Tetrahedral - Oxygen atoms surrounding a Silicon atom
- Octohedral - Oxygen atoms surrounding an Aluminium atom