Clay mineralogy, chemical and geotechnical characterization of bentonite from Beni Bou Ifrour Massif (the Eastern Rif, Morocco)

Abstract

Bentonite clay mineral is widely present in the Gourougou Volcanic Massif and its satellites located in NE Morocco. It originated from the alteration of pyroclastic flows in shallow marine water in a lagoon lake environment (Ibourhardayn deposit). All studied samples were collected from that area and analysed accordingly in order to characterize and identify their components. Experimental techniques used included X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and the geotechnical characterization of the clay fraction and Atterberg limits. Granulometric analysis exhibited the presence of a clay fraction (<2 µm) ranging from 9.2 to 32.4%. The geotechnical study showed that the bentonites studied were generally very plastic, with plasticity index values ranging from 19.4 to 46.6%, and are also characterized by very high liquidity limits of 37.3–67%. A high water retention capacity with water contents ranging from 8.2 to 40.7% indicated that Ibourhardayn bentonites have important swelling properties. Mineralogical results showed that all specimens were mostly composed of montmorillonite alongside other clay minerals. Some crystalline impurities were also detected by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectra.

A Novel Superabsorbent Polymer from Crosslinked Carboxymethyl Tragacanth Gum with Glutaraldehyde: Synthesis, Characterization, and Swelling Properties

“…From Figure 6(a), the XRD peaks at 2θ � 20.61 °and 2θ � 21.91 °were found to correspond to tragacanth gum (TG), indeed, it is evident that original tragacanth gum (TG) has slight crystallinity. A similar appearance has been reported for tragacanth gum in the literature [14,58]. However, for CMTG, the diffraction peaks were found to shift to 20.54 °and 21.90 °(Figure 6(b)).…”

Valorization of Moroccan Bentonite Deposits: “Purification and Treatment of Margin by the Adsorption Process”

“…XRD analysis of raw Iboughrdayn bentonite shows the presence of montmorillonite, with the first peak located at a spacing of 12Å at d 001 reflection; this shows that the natural bentonite is in the form of calcium, and the other three peaks are located at 4.45Å (d 110 ), 2.567 Å (d 200 ), and 1.49 Å (d 060 ). The d 060 reflection indicates the dioctahedral character of the smectite [ 19 , 20 ]. The plagioclase feldspar group with a calcium pole is manifested by anorthite peaks and orthoclase (K-feldspar).…”

Assessment of the metal contamination index in groundwater of the quaternary of the Middle Kert Basin, north‐eastern Morocco

“…Aluminum in its natural state is very highly dispersed in the form of microcrystals of various alumino-silicates, essential constituents of clays. Its concentrations can be considered representative natural concentrations in groundwater (Ait Hmeid et al, 2020;Kholtei et al, 2003).…”