Potential and restrictions of the specific electric resistivity (SER) method for the in-situ estimation of smectite contents in bentonites

摘要

The relationship of the specific electric resistivity (SER) of bentonites with other mineralogical parameters such as the smectite contents has been investigated in order to establish an in-situ method for the quality control of bentonites. Measurements were performed in the Bavarian bentonite mining district Main-burg ― Moosburg ― Landshut (Germany). The observed dependence of the SER from smectite abundance, water content and temperature enables an accurate in-situ estimation of the quality of Bavarian bentonites. Obtained results prove that this SER method is applicable even in other bentonite mining districts provided that the electrodes for the SER measurement can be inserted without cracking the material, which commonly requires a significant water content resulting in sufficient plasticity. With respect to other types of clay deposits such as kaolin a procedure related to the SER method seems to be applicable.