X-ray Diffraction and the Identification and Analysis of Clay Minerals

Book excerpt: This successful text/reference, now in a new edition, explores the applications and limitations of data produced by the interaction of X-rays with clay minerals. This edition pays particular attention to integrating the mineralogy of soils and features a new chapter on disorder and polytypes. Chapter Four, from the first edition, has been expanded and split into two chapters, "Structure and Properties: General Treatment" and "Structure, Nonmenclature, and Occurrences of Clay Minerals." Essential in agriculture, geology, and in making informed engineering decisions, this text offers the necessary information on the properties of these minerals, combining theoretical discussion with recipe-like directions for laboratory procedures. Ideal for students who have completed introductory geology, chemistry, and mineralogy courses, this text can also be used as a reference for researchers and workers in industry.