GEOPOLYMERIZATION OF ORGANIC MATTER VIA REDUCTION OF STRUCTURAL IRON (III) IN 2:1 EXPANDABLE CLAY MINERALS

摘要

The preservation of organic matter (OM) in sediments has presented a challenging and contentious problem. Evidence indicates that greater than 90% of sedimentary organic matter cannot be physically separated from its mineral medium (Hedges et al, 1995). Clay minerals comprise the bulk of the surface area in marine sediments and may aid in protecting OM from oxidation. Smectite clays in particular comprise the majority of the surface area with values of 750m~2 g~(-1) (measured by water adsorption).