Cation exchange is a process by which cations are reversibly adsorbed on charged surfaces of sediments from solution. Isomorphous substitution and broken edges in the phyllosilicates, and deprotonation of acid groups in the organic matter provide net negative charge. The negative charge is balanced by the electrostatic attraction of cations. Cation exchange is a rapid and reversible process, and cations are exchanged on an equivalent charge basis. All components of sediments contribute to some extent to cation exchange. However, minerals in the clay fraction (<2 µm) and organic matter are the most important components involved in this process.
Because of their charge and size, the alkaline earth and alkali metal cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+) do not form stable secondary minerals and are left in the solution phase to neutralize surface charge of sediments. Under acidic conditions Al3+ (and monomers of Al) and H+are also present on the exchange sites. Since the cations are held by...
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Singh, B. (1978). Cation exchange. In: Middleton, G.V., Church, M.J., Coniglio, M., Hardie, L.A., Longstaffe, F.J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-3609-5_38
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