A study on alluvial clays of Darrang and Kamrup district of Assam by xray and other physical methods

Abstract

The thesis consists of four chapters. The first Chapter gives a general introduction about the clays and alluvial clays. In this chapter a broad discussion on the general features of the clays and clay minerals have been explained. A short description on seven different types of clay, the areas of application in the past and present are incorporated. It gives an insight into the important industrial and commercial utility of the alluvial clays or clay. This chapter also deals with the review of previous and present work on clay minerals including home state. The objectives of the present study have been mentioned in the last part of this chapter. [15 pages 80 references] The Second chapter deals with the occurence and formation of the clays. The structural features of the clays have been described with due emphasis on two layered Kaolinite group, three layered Illite and Montmorillonite group, Chlorite group and Vermiculite groups. Profiles of the clays have been described briefly in this chapter. Some causes are mentioned for which the plasticity of the clays developed. A general classification of the clays in relation to the clay mineral study and recommendations of AIPEA is shown in the Table No. 2.5(1) Here, the behaviour of clay minerals in relation to water and foreign Ions in acquons solution are briefly enumerated. A sketch diagram for behaviour of clays in relation to water is shown in Fig. 2.6(1). [20 pages 1 table 8 figures 44 references] The third chapter deals with the experimental methodology and the areas of investigation or places from where the samples were collected are shown in Map (Fig. 3.1.) and in Chart 3.1.1. In this chapter the speciman collection process and procedures of preparatory washed and chemically treated samples are described elaborately. Here, the preparation of H+, K+ and Mg++ clay, powder clay, pellet slide are mentioned. A general interpretation about the XRD, XRF and FTIR instrument and the procedure of treatments are synthesised. The different perimeters for this study are...