Palygorskite—by direct precipitation from a hydrothermal solution

Abstract

Abstract Palygorskite, associated with aragonite, occurs as a fracture filling in a dunite body that has been intruded by felsic pegmatites. The palygorskite formed by direct precipitation from solutions given off by the pegmatite. Aluminium, calcium and silicon were provided by the pegmatite solutions while magnesium was derived from the serpentinization of the dunite along the host fractures. No direct replacement took place.