Transformation of Gibbsite to Chlorite in Ocean Bottom Sediments

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Abstract
Numerous grains of gibbsite surrounded by zones of chlorite were found in six samples of sediment taken from Waimea Bay off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. The chlorite has formed from the gibbsite, and growth bands in the chlorite either are parallel to chlorite-gibbsite interfaces or are concentric around small remnants of gibbsite. Aggregates were found that appeared to be composed of two or more gibbsite grains surrounded by chlorite bands that have grown together. The index of refraction of the chlorite ranged from 1.58 to 1.60 and the chlorite displayed anomalous blue interference colors. The gibbsite was formed on land under conditions of strong weathering and strong leaching. When transported to the sea, the gibbsite was deposited in a solution containing silicic acid, magnesium, potassium, and hydrogen ions, in which it is unstable. Chlorite, a stable mineral in this solution, replaced the gibbsite.