干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

A total of 16 glacial sediments consisting of loose admixture of sand, silt and clay have been collected from different parts of the Schirmacher Oasis and adjoining areas, viz. main rocky land, inland lakes, ice sheet and coastal area. The clay from the sediments has been separated and studied for mineral identification using different thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The thermograms of all the samples are almost similar, showing minor gain or loss of weight. DTA curves show a small notch around 585 degrees C, i.e. kaolinite. XRD analysis of the samples treated with Ca and K, glycolated, and heated at various temperatures shows well-developed peaks of chlorite, illite, kaolinite, smectite and vermiculite. An attempt has been made to decipher the origin of clay minerals along with their climatological implications.