Vol. 337 No. 9 (2026)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/9/5388
Glauconite from the Kirdinsk deposit (Chelyabinsk region): morphology and structural and chemical features
Relevance. Glauconite is a mineral used in various industries, including agriculture. Its affordability and the profitability of enrichment methods increase its appeal. Glauconite also exhibits strong sorption and ion-exchange properties, as well as significant potential for creating nanocomposites. These factors drive the search for new deposits. This study is relevant due to glauconite industrial use and the chance to establish conditions for new deposit formation, which would expand the mineral resource base. Aim. To examine the geological traits and material properties of glauconite from the Kirdinsk deposit (Chelyabinsk region, Russia) to assess its agricultural prospects. Methods. Optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, TEM-LED, XRD, FTIR, and ICP-MS. Results and conclusions. The authors have determined the morphological and structural-chemical traits of the Kirdinsk deposit glauconite. Glauconite aggregates appear as globules and elongated, often hooked granules. The potassium content is about 7%. The rich dark colour shows the maturity of the glauconite. An increased weight percentage of iron may indicate reducing conditions during the sedimentation of rocks. The ratio (Na+K)/(Ca+Mg), which ranges from 1.3 to 1.5, confirms that glauconite formed in a deep-sea basin environment. The conditions that formed and evolved the Kirdinsk glauconite deposit led to increased discreteness. This is evident in the low level of isomorphic substitutions in silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, and consequently, in octahedral grids. As a result, the basal planes are compensated by potassium ions capable of desorption. Both heterovalent substitutions (tetrahedra and octahedra) and isovalent substitutions (octahedra) are present. The total residual charge of half the cell is 0.56*1.6*10–19 C.
For citation: Khitrin I.S., Rudmin M.A. Glauconite from the Kirdinsk deposit (Chelyabinsk region): morphology and structural and chemical features. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, 2026, vol. 337, no. 9, pp. 78–89. http://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/9/5388
Keywords:
glauconite, Kirdinsk glauconite sands deposit, Chelyabinsk region, crystallochemical characteristics, formation conditions, fertilizers of controlled action, natural sorbent
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