Identification and characterization of Fe-rich smectites in the Camlica Region of western Turkey

Fe-rich dioctahedral smectites are the main constituent of clays in Camlica Region of Turkey. The structural, chemical and morphological characteristics of these smectites after washing are examined by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Smectite particles occur as individual flakes 0.2-2.0 mu m in size. These flakes are often aggregated into clusters up to 6.0 mu m in size.