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Occurrence characteristics of free iron oxides in soil microstructure: evidence from XRD, SEM and EDS

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Abstract

Free iron oxides in soils usually have distinct electrochemical properties, relatively high surface energy, a strong ability to adsorb, and provide structural cementation in the soil. Thus, soil properties are influenced by the content, characteristics and occurrence of free iron oxides. This paper reports a study on Zhanjiang clay and Longmen laterite, both of which are rich in free iron oxides, to investigate the occurrence characteristics of free iron oxides in soils. Dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate solution was adopted to remove free iron oxides from the soils, and qualitative filter paper was used to extract particles with size d < 25 μm. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry were used to analyze alterations in the physical and chemical properties, mineral composition, and microstructure caused by the removal of free iron oxides. The results obtained in this study show that free iron oxides act as a bridge in Zhanjiang clay and mostly in the form of cladding in Longmen laterite. Both forms enhance the cementation and structural strength of the soils and weaken the swelling-shrinkage capacity. The findings of this paper will contribute to a deeper understanding of the formation and failure of soils.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the following for the financial support: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41102200; and Grant No. 41472292), the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, China (Grant No. 2011CDB406), the Key Laboratory of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering at Tongji University, Ministry of Education, China (Grant No. KLE-TJGE-B1103).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiaohongshan, Wuchang, Wuhan, 430071, PR China

    X. W. Zhang, L. W. Kong & S. Yin

  2. Key Laboratory of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, PR China

    X. W. Zhang

  3. School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, PR China

    X. L. Cui

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  1. X. W. Zhang
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  2. L. W. Kong
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  3. X. L. Cui
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  4. S. Yin
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Correspondence to X. W. Zhang.

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Zhang, X.W., Kong, L.W., Cui, X.L. et al. Occurrence characteristics of free iron oxides in soil microstructure: evidence from XRD, SEM and EDS. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75, 1493–1503 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0781-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0781-2

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