Halloysite in some soils from north-east Scotland

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Abstract
X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy show that halloysite occurs widely in soils derived from a variety of parent rocks (granite, gabbro, schist and slate) in north-east Scotland. Both tubular and non-tubular forms are observed, the latter being characterized by electron diffraction patterns with 001 reflection either absent or very weak and diffuse. Clay fractions from a poorly drained profile separated without prior drying of the soil samples contain essentially dehydrated halloysite at the surface, this becoming progressively more hydrated with depth. Since halloysite occurs extensively in soils of widely varying drainage class the mineral is probably not the result of recent soilforming processes but may have originated during Tertiary or interglacial weathering.