Gondwana Industrial Clays: Tandilia System, Argentina-Geology and Applications

172 Pages·2016·9.73 MB·English

by  Patricia Eugenia Zalba

Springer Earth System Sciences
Patricia Eugenia Zalba
Martín Eduardo Morosi
María Susana Conconi
Gondwana
Industrial
Clays
Tandilia System, Argentina: Geology and
Applications
Springer Earth System Sciences
Series editors
Philippe Blondel, Bath, UK
Eric Guilyardi, Paris, France
Jorge Rabassa, Ushuaia, Argentina
Clive Horwood, Chichester, UK
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/10178
í
Patricia Eugenia Zalba Mart n Eduardo Morosi
(cid:129)
í
Mar a Susana Conconi
Gondwana Industrial Clays
Tandilia System, Argentina: Geology
and Applications
123
Patricia Eugenia Zalba FacultaddeCiencias Naturalesy Museode
Comisión deInvestigaciones Científicasde LaPlata (UNLP)
laProvincia deBuenos Aires, Centrode LaPlata
TecnologíadeRecursos Minerales y Argentina
Cerámica
(CETMIC-CICPBA-CONICET) MaríaSusanaConconi
Manuel B. Gonnet Comisión deInvestigaciones Científicasde
Argentina laProvincia deBuenos Aires, Centrode
TecnologíadeRecursos Minerales y
and Cerámica
(CETMIC-CICPBA-CONICET)
Schoolof Geosciences Manuel B. Gonnet
MonashUniversity Argentina
Melbourne
Australia and
Martín EduardoMorosi FacultaddeIngenieríadeLa Plata (UNLP)
Comisión deInvestigaciones Científicasde LaPlata
laProvincia deBuenos Aires, Centrode Argentina
TecnologíadeRecursos Minerales y
Cerámica
(CETMIC-CICPBA-CONICET)
Manuel B. Gonnet
Argentina
and
ISSN 2197-9596 ISSN 2197-960X (electronic)
SpringerEarth System Sciences
ISBN978-3-319-39455-8 ISBN978-3-319-39457-2 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-39457-2
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2016947209
©SpringerInternationalPublishingSwitzerland2016
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Preface
Theinformationprovidedhereinistheresultofresearchconductedspecificallyfor
this work; from own research projects sponsored by the Comisión de
InvestigacionesCientíficasdelaprovinciadeBuenosAires(CICPBA);Facultadde
Ciencias Naturales y Museo de La Plata, and from cooperation with interdisci-
plinary research groups, mainly with researchers from the Consejo Nacional de
Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), through the Centro de
Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica (CETMIC), the Universidad de
Buenos Aires (UBA), the Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas (CIG), interna-
tional cooperation projects with the University of Poitiers, France, and from the
internationalandlocalgeologicalliteratureofresearcherswhoworkedonthestudy
area, available at the end of each chapter.
Photographs, stratigraphic sections, drawings, chemical and technological
analyses, mineralogical analyses by optical and scanning electron microscopy of
our own, as well as some obtained from the literature, are offered. Besides, a
glossary has been included to facilitate understanding of geological and techno-
logical terms to the reader.
The book is organized after a synthesis of the geology and stratigraphy of
Tandilia,beingtheclaydepositsofeconomicimportancearrangedinaccordanceto
the counties and the sectors where they outcrop as follows:
Azul County Chillar Sector
Benito Juárez County El Ferrugo and Constante 10-El Cañón Sector
Villa Cacique Sector
La Juanita Sector
CuchilladeLasAguilas-SierradeLaTintaSector
Lobería County San Manuel Sector
Olavarría County Sierras Bayas Sector
General Pueyrredón, Balcarce Mar del Plata (Chapadmalal)-Balcarce-Necochea
and Necochea counties Sector
v
vi Preface
Researchersimmersedinthestudyofgeologicalproblemsoftendisagreeonthe
interpretation of occurring processes. But this is normal and specifically occurs in
Tandilia because of the complexity and overlapping of physico-chemical and
structural phenomena whose interpretation is even more difficult because of the
antiquity of the deposits. As Prof. Walter Keller (†), eminent researcher on clay
mineralogy of the University of Missouri, USA, said once: “if several expert sci-
entists meet in an outcrop and their interpretation of the geology of the area was
requested, one would obtain as many versions as geologists are involved.” In this
precise case, numerous and accurate observations, and a scientific demonstration
of the processes that took place, shall cooperate in the development of the
knowledge of this complex geology. That is why working as a team, confronting
anddiscussingresults among colleagues, innational and internationalforums, will
bring closer hypothesis to reality, but this approximation will never be definitive.
There will always be new discoveries, new theories, new techniques, which will
allowustoevolveintherightdirection,towardagreaterconviction.Andthisisthe
challenge of geology.
We are deeply indebted to Springer for publishing our book which will reach a
wider audience via its English version. As the book is a review of the research
carriedoutformorethan30yearsbytheauthorspartsofitwereonlypublishedin
Spanish. Our special thanks to Dr. Jorge Rabassa, Springer editor, for his
encouragment and useful aid when performing the organization and content of the
manuscript.
WearegratefultotheComisióndeInvestigacionesCientíficasdelaProvinciade
BuenosAiresforitsfinancialsupportandtohispastPresidentIng.JoséRodríguez
Silveira for his interest and permanent encouragement for the publication of this
book. Also we would like to thank to the Centro de Tecnología de Recursos
Minerales y Cerámica and to the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo de La
Plata (UNLP) for their permament support to our research. Our thanks to Lic.
Nelson Coriale for useful information on the quarries. Our special thanks to Prof.
Susana Zalba for invaluable help in improving translation to English. Finally, we
thank permission for the access to the quarries to: Loma Negra CIASA, Cementos
Avellaneda SA, Cerro Negro SA, Palmar Mar del Plata SA, Transportes
Arcamin SA, Polcecal SA, Cruz Omar Pavone SRL, Yaraví, Delia Isabel
Etchegoin, Cefas SA, Vial SA,Tagliorette, Rottemberger, Della Maggiora, and
H. Foster.
Manuel B. Gonnet, Argentina Patricia Eugenia Zalba
Melbourne, Australia Martín Eduardo Morosi
María Susana Conconi
Contents
1 Overview .. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 1
1.1 Introduction .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 2
1.2 A Bit of History. .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 3
1.3 Geology and Stratigraphy... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 6
References.. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 10
2 Azul County.... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 15
2.1 Chillar Sector... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 16
2.1.1 Residual Deposits: Characteristics, Mineralogical, and
Chemical Composition ... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 16
2.1.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy of Clays of La
Verónica. .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 23
2.1.3 Technological Properties of Residual Clays of La
Verónica and Santa Maria. .... .... .... .... ..... .... 24
References.. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 25
3 Benito Juárez County.... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 27
3.1 El Ferrugo and Constante 10—El Cañón Sector.. .... ..... .... 28
3.1.1 Residual Deposits: Characteristics, Mineralogical,
and Chemical Composition.... .... .... .... ..... .... 28
3.1.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy of Residual Clays
of Constante 10..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 36
3.1.3 Technological Properties of Residual Clays
of the El Ferrugo and Constante 10 . .... .... ..... .... 37
3.1.4 The Villa Cacique, La Juanita, Cuchilla de
Las Aguilas, and Sierra de La Tinta Sectors... ..... .... 39
3.2 Villa Cacique Sector.. ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 40
3.2.1 Sedimentary Deposits; Characteristics, Mineralogical,
and Chemical Composition.... .... .... .... ..... .... 40
vii
viii Contents
3.2.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy of Clays of the Cerro
Negro Formation at Villa Cacique, San José Del
Cármen and Lomada Blanca... .... .... .... ..... .... 43
3.2.3 Technological Properties of Clays of the Cerro
Negro Formation at Villa Cacique .. .... .... ..... .... 44
3.3 La Juanita Sector .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 46
3.3.1 Sedimentary Deposits; Included “in situ” Weathered
Dolostones (“Ferruginous Clays”)... .... .... ..... .... 46
3.3.2 Characteristics, Mineralogical, and Chemical
Composition .. ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 47
3.3.3 Microscale Diagnostic Diagenetic Features in the Villa
Mónica Formation... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 62
3.3.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy of Clays of the Villa
Mónica Formation... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 67
3.3.5 Paleoenvironmental Conditions of the Villa Mónica
Formation at Sierra La Juanita . .... .... .... ..... .... 67
3.3.6 Age of the Villa Mónica Formation . .... .... ..... .... 72
3.3.7 TechnologicalPropertiesoftheClaysoftheVillaMónica
Formation .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 73
3.4 Cuchilla de Las Aguilas and Sierra de La Tinta Sector ..... .... 73
3.4.1 Sedimentary Deposits; Characteristics, Mineralogical,
and Chemical Composition.... .... .... .... ..... .... 73
3.4.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microprobe
Analysis of the Middle Lithofacies of the Las Aguilas
Formation .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 80
3.4.3 K-Ar Isotopic Analyses of Alunite .. .... .... ..... .... 82
3.4.4 OriginofAluniteandAluminumPhosphateSulfate(APS
Minerals). .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 83
3.4.5 Microscale Diagnostic Diagenetic Features in the
Cuchilla de Las Aguilas .. .... .... .... .... ..... .... 85
3.4.6 Technological Properties of the Clays of the Las Aguilas
Formation .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 87
References.. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 88
4 Lobería County. .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 93
4.1 San Manuel Sector... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 94
4.1.1 Residual and Sedimentary Deposits; Characteristics,
Mineralogical and Chemical Composition. .... ..... .... 94
4.1.2 Residual Deposits ... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 97
4.1.3 Scanning Electron Microscopy of Residual Deposits:
Los Cinco Nietos ... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 97
4.1.4 Sedimentary Deposits .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 99
4.1.5 Technological Properties of Residual (SMR) and
Sedimentary (SMC) Clays of San Manuel, Julián Luis.... 102
References.. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 104
Contents ix
5 Olavarría County ... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 107
5.1 Sierras Bayas Sector.. ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 108
5.1.1 Sedimentay Deposits; Characteristics, Mineralogical
and Chemical Composition of the Olavarría Formation.... 108
5.1.2 Discussion of Mud Beds and Pipes in the Sierras
Bayas Area... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 114
5.1.3 Origin and Mechanisms of Formation of Mud Beds
and Pipes .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 118
5.1.4 Evidence of Basin Inversion... .... .... .... ..... .... 120
5.1.5 Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Clays of the
Olavarría Formation . .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 121
5.1.6 Technological Properties of the Clays of the Olavarría
Formation .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 122
5.1.7 Sedimentary Deposits; Characteristics and Mineralogical
Composition of the Cerro Negro Formation ... ..... .... 124
5.1.8 Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Clays of the Cerro
Negro Formation.... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 128
5.1.9 TechnologicalPropertiesoftheClaysoftheCerroNegro
Formation .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 129
References.. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 130
6 General Pueyrredón, Balcarce, and Necochea Counties.. ..... .... 133
6.1 Mar del Plata (Chapadmalal)-Balcarce-Necochea Sector..... .... 134
6.1.1 Residual Deposits; Characteristics, Mineralogical
and Chemical Composition.... .... .... .... ..... .... 134
6.1.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy of Residual Deposits
of Cerro Segundo ... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 135
6.1.3 Technological Properties of Residual Deposits of Cerro
Segundo . .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 136
6.1.4 Sedimentary Deposits; Characteristics and Mineralogical
Composition of the Balcarce Formation .. .... ..... .... 136
6.1.5 ScanningElectronMicroscopyoftheBalcarceFormation
Clays.... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 143
6.1.6 Technological Properties of Sedimentary Clays of the
Balcarce Formation.. .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 145
6.1.7 Geodynamic Evolution of the Tandilia Basin .. ..... .... 145
References.. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 148
Glossary.. .... .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 151
Index .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 163