Hostname: page-component-5cf477f64f-qls9x Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-04-08T10:34:00.896Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Smectite Illitization During Hydrothermal Alteration of a Rhyolitic Hyaloclastite From Ponza, Italy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Blanca Bauluz ,
Donald R. Peacor  and
Robert F. Ylagan
Blanca Bauluz*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50.009 Zaragoza, Spain
Donald R. Peacor
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1063, USA
Robert F. Ylagan
Affiliation:
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, P.O. Box 2189, Houston, Texas 77252-2189, USA
*
*E-mail address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Dioctahedral phyllosilicates from an altered rhyolitic hyaloclastite located at Ponza Island, Italy, were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The samples are from a sequence previously characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods, indicating that a complete range of illitization accompanies alteration. Backscattered electron (BSE) images, obtained from ion-milled samples, show that samples partly retain the original textures since clay minerals pseudomorph lapilli fragments and preserve vesicular texture. The lowest-grade sample studied contains obsidian clasts partially replaced by smectite. As the alteration grade increases, illitization proceeds with formation of interstratified illite-smectite (I-S), zeolites, illitic phases, feldspars and quartz. The most altered sample contains illite, mica and quartz. Lattice-fringe images show that following the formation of smectite, illitization takes place through the formation of (R=1) I-S, highly illitic I-S and illite with mica; (R=1) I-S is the only ordered interstratified I-S. The BSE and TEM images of Ponza samples show irregular cavities filled with euhedral dioctahedral clay minerals and the zeolite mordenite, providing direct evidence for neocrystallization from a fluid. Chemical compositions by analytical electron microscopy (AEM) support the sequence described. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns indicate the predominance of 1 Md polytypism both in I-S and illitic phases, and the coexistence in the more altered samples of 1Md illite and a 2-layer mica polytype (probably 2M1), without the intermediate 1M polytype generally assumed to exist in prograde sequences. Previous XRD studies indicated progressive change from cis-vacant, turbostratically stacked smectite, to interstratified cis- and trans-vacant, 1Md I-S, to trans-vacant, 1M illite, and then to 2M1 illite in Ponza Island samples. We observed a clear correlation between the chemical compositions as determined by AEM and the proportion of cis-vacant determined by XRD, suggesting that the octahedral cation distributions change in the studied samples with increasing degree of illitization.

Keywords

Hydrothermal alterationIllite-Smectite (I-S)IllitizationPolytypesScanning Electron MicroscopyTransmission Electron Microscopy
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 50 , Issue 2 , April 2002 , pp. 157 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © 2002, The Clay Minerals Society

References

Ahn, J.H. and Peacor, D.R., (1986) Transmission and analytical electron microscopy of the smectite-to-illite transition Clays and Clay Minerals 34 165–179 10.1346/CCMN.1986.0340207.Google Scholar
Ahn, J.H. and Peacor, D.R., (1987) Kaolinitization of biotite: TEM data and implications for an alteration mechanism American Mineralogist 72 353 356.Google Scholar
Ahn, J.H. and Peacor, D.R., (1989) Illite/smectite from Gulf Coast shales: a reappraisal of transmission microscope images Clays and Clay Minerals 37 542–546 10.1346/CCMN.1989.0370606.Google Scholar
Altaner, S.P. Whitney, G. Aronson, J.L. and Hower, J., (1984) A model for K-bentonite formation, evidence from zoned K-bentonites in the disturbed belt, Montana Geology 12 412–415 10.1130/0091-7613(1984)12<412:MFKFEF>2.0.CO;2.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Altaner, S.P. Weiss, C.A. Jr. and Kirkpatrick, R.J., (1988) Evidence from 29Si NMR for the structure of mixed-layer illite/smectite clay minerals Nature 331 699–702 10.1038/331699a0.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Altaner, S.P. and Ylagan, R.F., (1997) Comparison of structural models of mixed-layer illite/smectite and reaction mechanisms of smectite illitization Clays and Clay Minerals 45 517–533 10.1346/CCMN.1997.0450404.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Banfield, J.F. and Eggleton, R.A., (1988) Transmission electron microscope study of biotite weathering Clays and Clay Minerals 36 47–60 10.1346/CCMN.1988.0360107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barbieri, F. Borsi, S. Ferrara, G. and Innocenti, F., (1967) Contributo alla conoscenza vulcanologica e magmatologica elle isole dell’arcipelago Pontino Memoria della Societa Geologica Italiana 17 581 606.Google Scholar
Barron, P.F. Slade, P. and Frost, R.L., (1985) Ordering of aluminum in tetrahedral sites in mixed-layer 2:1 phyllosilicates by solid-state high-resolution NMR Journal of Physical Chemistry 89 3880–3885 10.1021/j100264a023.10.1021/j100264a023CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bauluz, B. Peacor, D. and Gonzalez Lopez, J.M., (2000) Transmission Electron Microscopy study of illitization in pelites from the Iberian Range, Spain: layer-by-layer replacement? Clays and Clay Minerals 48 374–384 10.1346/CCMN.2000.0480308.10.1346/CCMN.2000.0480308CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brusewitz, A., (1986) Chemical and physical properties of Paleozoic potassium bentonites from Kinnekulle, Sweden Clays and Clay Minerals 34 442–454 10.1346/CCMN.1986.0340411.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carmassi, M. De Rita, D. Di Filippo, M. and Funiciello, R., (1983) Geology and volcanic evolution of the island of Ponza, Italy Geologica Roma 22 211 232.Google Scholar
Dong, H. and Peacor, D.R., (1996) TEM observations of coherent stacking relations in smectite, I/S and illite of shales: evidence for MacEwan crystallites and dominance of 2M 1 polytypism Clays and Clay Minerals 44 257–275 10.1346/CCMN.1996.0440211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dong, H. Peacor, D.R. and Freed, R.L., (1997) Phase relations among smectite, R1 illite-smectite and illite American Mineralogist 82 379–391 10.2138/am-1997-3-416.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Drits, V.A. (1987) Mixed-layer minerals: Diffraction methods and structural features. Pp. 33–45 in: Proceedings of the International Clay Conference, Denver, 1985 (Schultz, L.G., Olphen, H. Van and Mumpton, F. A., editors). The Clay Minerals Society, Bloomington, Indiana.Google Scholar
Grim, R.E. and Güven, N., (1978) Bentonites: Geology, Mineralogy, Properties and Uses Amsterdam, The Netherlands Elsevier.Google Scholar
Grubb, S.M.B. Peacor, D.R. and Jiang, W.-T., (1991) Transmission electron microscope observations of illite polytypism Clays and Clay Minerals 39 540–550 10.1346/CCMN.1991.0390509.10.1346/CCMN.1991.0390509CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guthrie, G.D. and Veblen, D.R., (1989) High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of mixed-layer illite/smectite: Computer simulation Clays and Clay Minerals 37 1–11 10.1346/CCMN.1989.0370101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guthrie, G.D. Veblen, D.R., Coyne, L.M. McKeever, S.W.S. and Blake, D.F., (1989) High-resolution transmission electron microscopy applied to clay minerals Spectroscopic Characterization of Minerals and their Surfaces Washington, D.C. American Chemical Society.Google Scholar
Guthrie, G.D. and Veblen, D.R., (1990) Interpreting one-dimensional high-resolution transmission electron micrographs of sheet silicates by computer simulation American Mineralogist 75 276 288.Google Scholar
Güven, N. and Grim, R., (1972) X-ray diffraction and electron optical studies on smectite and α-cristobalite associations Clays and Clay Minerals 20 89–92 10.1346/CCMN.1972.0200207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Horton, D.G., (1985) Mixed-layer illite/smectite as a paleotemperature indicator in the Amethyst vein system, Creed district, Colorado, USA Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 91 171–179 10.1007/BF00377764.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hower, J. Eslinger, E.V. Hower, M.E. and Perry, E.A., (1976) Mechanism of burial metamorphism of argillaceous sediments: Mineralogical and chemical evidence Geological Society of America Bulletin 87 725–737 10.1130/0016-7606(1976)87<725:MOBMOA>2.0.CO;2.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jadgozinski, H., (1949) Eindimensionale fehlordnung in kristallen und ihr einfluss auf die Rontgeninterferenzen. I. Berechnung des fehlordnungsgrades au der Rontgenintensitaten Acta Crystallographica 2 201–207 10.1107/S0365110X49000552.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jakobsen, H.J. Nielsen, N.C. and Lindgreen, H., (1995) Sequences of charged sheets in rectorite American Mineralogist 80 247–252 10.2138/am-1995-3-406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jiang, W.-T. Peacor, D.R. Merriman, R.J. and Roberts, B., (1990) Transmission and analytical electron microscopic study of mixed-layer illite/smectite formed as an apparent replacement of product of diagenetic illite Clays and Clay Minerals 38 449–469 10.1346/CCMN.1990.0380501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jiang, W.-T. and Peacor, D.R., (1993) Formation and modification of metastable intermediate sodium potassium mica, paragonite and muscovite in hydrothermally altered meta-basites from northern Wales American Mineralogist 78 782 793.Google Scholar
Kim, J.W. Peacor, D.R. Tessier, D. and Elsass, F., (1995) A technique for maintaining texture and permanent expansion of smectite interlayers for TEM observations Clays and Clay Minerals 43 51–57 10.1346/CCMN.1995.0430106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, J.H.K. Peacor, D.R. Lewis, D.D. and Wintsch, R.P., (1985) Chlorite-illite/muscovite interlayered and interstratified crystals: A TEM/STEM study Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 88 372–385 10.1007/BF00376762.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lombardi, G. and Mattias, P., (1981) Guidebook for the Excursions in Sardinia and Central Italy Rome AIPEA 96 p.Google Scholar
Lupino, R., (1954) Sulla bentonite dell’isola di Ponza La Ricerca Scientifica 24 2326 2339.Google Scholar
McCarty, D. and Reynolds, R.C. Jr., (1998) Rotationally di sordered illite/smectite in Paleozoic K-bentonites Clays and Clay Minerals 43 271–284 10.1346/CCMN.1995.0430302.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Malinverno, A. and Ryan, W.B.F., (1986) Extension in the Tyrrenian Sea and shortening in the Apennines as a results of arc migration driven by sinking of the lithosphere Tectonophysics 5 228 245.Google Scholar
Masuda, H. O’Neil, J. Jiang, W.-T. and Peacor, D., (1996) Relation between interlayer composition of authigenic smectite, mineral assemblages, I/S reaction rate and fluid composition in silicic ash of the Nankai Trough Clays and Clay Minerals 44 443–459 10.1346/CCMN.1996.0440402.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Masuda, H. Peacor, D.R. and Dong, H., (2001) TEM study of conversion of smectite to illite in mudstones of the Nankai Trough: Contrast with coeval bentonites Clays and Clay Minerals 49 109–118 10.1346/CCMN.2001.0490201.10.1346/CCMN.2001.0490201CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maxwell, D.T. and Hower, J., (1967) High-grade diagenesis and low-grade metamorphism of illite in the precambrian belts series American Mineralogist 52 843 857.Google Scholar
McDowell, S.D., (1986) Composition and structural state of coexisting felds pars, Salton Sea geothermal field Mineralogical Magazine 50 75–84 10.1180/minmag.1986.050.355.11.10.1180/minmag.1986.050.355.11CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nadeau, P.H. Wilson, M.J. McHardy, W.J. and Tait, J.M., (1985) The conversion of smectite to illite during diagenesis. Evidence from some illitic clays from bentonites and sandstones Mineralogical Magazine 49 393–400 10.1180/minmag.1985.049.352.10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Passaglia, E. Artioli, G. Gualtieri, A. and Carnevali, R., (1995) Diagenetic mordenite from Ponza Italy European Journal of Mineralogy 7 429–438 10.1127/ejm/7/2/0429.10.1127/ejm/7/2/0429CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peccerilli, A., (1985) Roman comagmatic province (Central Italy): Evidence for subduction-related magma genesis Geology 13 103–106 10.1130/0091-7613(1985)13<103:RCPCIE>2.0.CO;2.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pichler, H., (1965) Acid Hyaloclas tites Bulletin of Volcanology 28 293–312 10.1007/BF02596934.10.1007/BF02596934CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pozzuoli, A. and Konta, J., (1988) Mineralogy, geochemistry, and origin of alteration products in the Pontina archipelago, Italy. 1. The genesis of the Ponza bentonite Proceedings of the 10th Conference on Clay Mineralogy and Petrology Czechoslovakia Ostrava 89 98.Google Scholar
Savelli, C., (1983) Eta’K/Ar delle principali manifestazioni riolitiche dell isola di Ponza Rendiconti Societa Geologica Italiana 6 39 42.Google Scholar
Savelli, C., (1987) K/Ar ages and chemical data of volcanism in the western Pontine Islands (Tyrrhenian Sea) Bolletino Societa Geologica Italiana 106 537 546.Google Scholar
Tillick, D.A. Peacor, D.R. and Mauk, J.L., (2001) Genesis of dioctahedral phyllosilicates during hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rocks: I. The Golden Cross epithermal ore deposit, New Zealand Clays and Clay Minerals 49 126–140 10.1346/CCMN.2001.0490203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Veblen, D.R. Guthrie, G.D. Jr. Livi, K.J.T. and Reynolds, R.C. Jr., (1990) High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction of mixed-layer illite/smectite: Experimental results Clays and Clays Minerals 38 1–13 10.1346/CCMN.1990.0380101.10.1346/CCMN.1990.0380101CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Velde, B. and Hower, J., (1963) Petrological significance of illite polymorphism in sedimentary rocks American Mineralogist 48 1239 1254.Google Scholar
Yan, Y. Tillick, D.A. Peacor, D.R. and Simmons, S.F., (2001) Genesis of dioctahedral phyllosilicates during hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rocks: The Broadlands hydrothermal system, New Zealand Clays and Clay Minerals 49 141–155 10.1346/CCMN.2001.0490204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ylagan, R.F., (1996) Mineralogy and geochemistry associated with hydrothermal alteration of a rhyolitic hyaloclastite from Ponza Island, Italy USA University of Illinois 152.Google Scholar
Ylagan, R.F. Altaner, S. and Pozzuoli, A., (1996) Hydrothermal alteration of a rhyolitic hyaloclastite from Ponza Island, Italy Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 74 215–231 10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00046-7.10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00046-7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ylagan, R.F. Altaner, S.P. and Pozzuoli, A., (2000) Reaction Mechanisms of Smectite Illitization associated with hydro-thermal alteration from Ponza Island, Italy Clays and Clay Minerals 48 610–631 10.1346/CCMN.2000.0480603.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yoder, H.S. and Eugster, H.P., (1955) Synthetic and natural muscovites Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 8 225–280 10.1016/0016-7037(55)90001-6.10.1016/0016-7037(55)90001-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zoeller, M. and Brockamp, O., (1997) 1M- and 2M1-illites: different minerals and not polytypes. Results from single crystal investigations at the Transmission Electron microscope (TEM) European Journal of Mineralogy 9 821–827 10.1127/ejm/9/4/0821.Google Scholar