IRON OXIDE PROPERTIES VERSUS STRENGTH OF FERRUGINOUS CRUST AND IRON-GLAEBULES IN SOILS

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Abstract
We correlated the content, mineralogy and crystallinity of iron oxides with the strength of iron-rich materials in different environmental soil conditions. The strength, measured as penetration pressure of soft and hard materials from laterite as well as iron-glaebules and the surrounding matrix in Paleudult soils, showed a positive linear relationship with dithionite-extractable iron and a negative linear relationship with the proportion of oxalate to dithionite iron. We observed a predominance of goethite, hematite, or both in the hard materials and kaolinite in the soft material. The mean crystallite dimension (MCD) of goethite and hematite showed a positive linear relationship with the strength of the materials. The degree of Al substitution was found to be higher in the softer materials. Large crystals of goethite were observed by scanning electron microscopy in the harder materials. A suitable crystallization environment allowed the formation of large crystals, especially of the goethite type and in large amounts, that link together to form a rigid network and thereby cause the hardening of iron-rich materials. © Williams & Wilkins 1985. All Rights Reserved.

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