Caracterização Mineralógica das Argilas da Península de Santa Elena, Equador (Mineralogical charaterization of the clays of the Santa Elena Peninsula, Ecuador)

Abstract The Santa Elena Peninsula, located in thesouthwest of the Ecuadorian coast, consists of igneousand sedimentary rocks from the Cretaceous to theQuaternary era. The sampled clays originated from thealteration of Andean volcanic ashes found inserted inthe clay rocks of the Eocene Medium to Miocene Medium(Ancon Group and, Tosagua and Progreso Formations).Mineralogical analysis (XDR, ATG and ATD),textural analysis (grain size distribution, specific surfaceand morphological analysis by SEM), and chemicalanalysis (X-ray fluorescence and CEC), have permittedthe selection of four deposits that have iron-montmorillonite as their main clay mineral, inassociation with kaolinite and traces of mica. Clays oftheses deposits have been characterized as calcicbentonites. Keywords: Clay, montmorillonite, bentonite, SantaElena Peninsula, Ancon Group, Tosagua Formation. Geociencias Caracterizacao Mineralogica das Argilas daPeninsula de Santa Elena, Equador (Mineralogical charaterization of the clays of the Santa ElenaPeninsula, Ecuador)