Illite

Illite, also called hydromica or hydromuscovite,[6] is a group of closely related non-expanding clay minerals. Illite is a secondary mineral precipitate, and an example of a phyllosilicate, or layered alumino-silicate. Its structure is a 2:1 sandwich of silica tetrahedron (T) – alumina octahedron (O) – silica tetrahedron (T) layers.[5] The space between this T-O-T sequence of layers is occupied by poorly hydrated potassium cations which are responsible for the absence of swelling. Structurally, illite is quite similar to muscovite with slightly more silicon, magnesium, iron, and water and slightly less tetrahedral aluminium and interlayer potassium. The chemical formula is given as (K,H3O)(Al,Mg,Fe)2(Si,Al)4O10[(OH)2·(H2O)],[3] but there is considerable ion (isomorphic) substitution. It occurs as aggregates of small monoclinic grey to white crystals. Due to the small size, positive identification usually requires x-ray diffraction or SEM-EDS (automated mineralogy) analysis. Illite occurs as an altered product of muscovite and feldspar in weathering and hydrothermal environments; it may be a component of sericite. It is common in sediments, soils, and argillaceous sedimentary rocks as well as in some low grade metamorphic rocks. The iron-rich member of the illite group, glauconite, in sediments can be differentiated by x-ray analysis.[7]

Illite
General
CategoryMica- phyllosilicates
Formula
(repeating unit)		(K,H3O)(Al,Mg,Fe)2(Si,Al)4O10[(OH)2,(H2O)]
IMA symbolIlt[1]
Strunz classification9.EC.60
Dana classification71.02.02d.02
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2/m (no. 12)
Identification
ColorGrey-white to silvery-white, greenish-gray
Crystal habitMicaceous aggregates
Cleavage{001} Perfect
Mohs scale hardness1 - 2
LusterPearly to dull
Streakwhite
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity2.6 - 2.9
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.535 - 1.570 nβ = 1.555 - 1.600 nγ = 1.565 - 1.605
References[2][3][4]
Structure of Illite mica - USGS.[5]

The cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of illite is smaller than that of smectite but higher than that of kaolinite, typically around 20 – 30 meq/100 g.

Illite was first described for occurrences in the Maquoketa shale in Calhoun County, Illinois, US, in 1937. The name was derived from its type location in Illinois.[2]

Brammallite is a sodium rich analogue. Avalite is a chromium bearing variety which has been described from Mt. Avala, Belgrade, Serbia.[8]

Zipao 'jade' is an ornamental form of illite showing bands of red-purple and pale yellow-green. It may be carved into pendants and other ornaments.

Illite crystallinity
Main article: Illite crystallinity

The crystallinity of illite has been used as an indicator of metamorphic grade in clay-bearing rocks metamorphosed under conditions between diagenesis and low-grade metamorphism.[9] With increasing temperature, illite is thought to undergo a transformation into muscovite.[10]

References
  • Mitchell JK (1993). "Ch. 3: Soil Mineralogy". Fundamentals of soil behavior (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. p. 32. ISBN 9780471463023.
  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. "Illite: Mineral information, data and localities". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 3 Apr 2019.
  3. "Illite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 3 Apr 2019.
  4. Drits, V. A.; Zviagina, B. B.; McCarty, D. K.; Salyn, A. L. (1 February 2010). "Factors responsible for crystal-chemical variations in the solid solutions from illite to aluminoceladonite and from glauconite to celadonite". American Mineralogist. 95 (2–3): 348–361. Bibcode:2010AmMin..95..348D. doi:10.2138/am.2010.3300. S2CID 62881038.
  5. "USGS OFR01-041: Illite Group Minerals". USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program. Retrieved 3 Apr 2019.
  6. "Hydromuscovite: Mineral information, data and localities". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  7. Brindley GW, Brown G (1980). "Crystal Structures of Clay Minerals and Their X-ray Identification". Mineralogical Society Monograph (3rd ed.). UK: Mineralogical Society. ISBN 9780903056083. ISSN 0144-1485.
  8. "Avalite: Mineral information, data and localities". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 3 Apr 2019.
  9. Frey M, Robinson D (1999). Low-Grade Metamorphism. Wiley. pp. 61–107. ISBN 9780632047567.
  10. Gharrabi M, Velde B, Sagon JP (1998). "The Transformation of Illite to Muscovite in Pelitic Rocks: Constraints from X-ray Diffraction". Clays and Clay Minerals. 46 (1): 79–88. Bibcode:1998CCM....46...79G. doi:10.1346/CCMN.1998.0460109.
  • Media related to Illite at Wikimedia Commons
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