Maghemite in soils and its origin

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Abstract
A magnetic iron oxide is a common constituent of ferruginous concretions in highly weathered Australian soils and is generally associated with varying proportions of hematite and occasionally with goethite. The X-ray diffraction pattern and the low Fe (11) contents (4-15% of total Fe) of this magnetic phase identify it as maghemite which was further confirmed by IR and DTA. This maghemite is only slightly soluble in dithionite but readily in 1:1 HCl or oxalic acid. From the Fe (11) contents and mineralogical associations in soil concretions, conditions for maghemite formation under near pedogenic conditions are suggested.