Smectite to Illite Conversion in Bentonites and Shales of the East Slovak Basin

Abstract

Abstract The conversion of smectite to illite has been studied in buried bentonites and shales of the East Slovak Neogene Basin, using X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. A good correlation was observed in both rock types between the content of expandable layers in interstratified illite-smectite (I-S) minerals and burial depth (temperature), with shales from a given depth being markedly more illitic than bentonties. This difference disappeared at a depth of ~3 km, which represents a temperature of ~150°C The diameter of fundamental illite particles increased with decreasing expandability. Potassium fixation together with neoformation appear to be the mechanisms of conversion of smectite to illite.