Transmission Electron Microscope Study of Biotite Weathering

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Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy suggests that biotite transforms to vermiculite primarily by direct structural modification, involving the replacement of K+ by hydrated interlayer cations, and only minor reorganization of the 2:1 layer. A second relatively uncommon mechanism appears to involve redistribution of components from two biotite sheets to form a single vermiculite layer. Distortion of the surrounding structure initially inhibits growth of vermiculite in the surrounding biotite, and promotes the propagation of vermiculite layers in opposite directions. This phenomenon may contribute to the development of relatively regular, widely spaced interstratifications of biotite and vermiculite. Additional components and space are provided by the dissolution of biotite where access of solutions is greater.During weathering, biotite and vermiculite become increasingly replaced by kaolinite, which crystallizes epitactically onto existing layers, and goethite, which develops from a poorly crystalline iron oxyhydroxide precursor to form oriented laths. In areas parts of strongly weathered samples kaolinite and goethite appear to develop in proportions consistent with a reaction that conserves both Al and Fe.