Caracterização mineralógica dos Lutitos Diatomáceos da Península de Santa Elena, Equador (Mineralogical characterization of the Diatoms Lutites of the Santa Elena Peninsula, Ecuador)

This work describes the main mineralogical, physical and geochemical characteristics of the diatom lutites of the Villingota Member of the Tosagua Formation, located in the Progreso Basin in the Southwest of the Equatorian coast, with the view of using them as raw materials in the ceramic industry by means of alkaline activation. The studied pelites of the Villingota Member are composed of a complex mixture characterized by their chemical composition with predominance of silica, carbonate, and alumina, as well as by their varied microfossil fauna that includes diatoms, radiolarians, spicules and foraminifers. The alkaline activation of this natural mixture turned possible the manufacture of geopolymers, which are inorganic materials that can substitute binders and mineral products.