Exchange of lyotropic series cations by micaceous vermiculite and its weathering products determined by electron microscopy and radiochemical analysis. Final technical report, June 1, 1965-October 31, 1978

Micaceous vermiculite was found to be ubiquitous in soils, sediments, and aerosol mineral dusts and to adsorb fission product ions, particularly 137Cs+ and 90Sr2+. Crystallographic wedge zones (imaged by ultramicrotomy and electron microscopy) in micaceous vermiculite effected tight fixation of Cs+. Lowering of mica layer charge occurred in local areas, electronoscopically imaged by use of blister-swelling cations. Nuclear fission particle tracks of U enhanced translayer diffusion of elements, measured mica layer charge and age. Iron-aluminum hydrous oxide coatings adsorbed divalent cations of the alkaline earth, transition, and heavy metal elements from trace concentrations in the presence of 1 M NaNO3. Global deposition of dust by rainfall accounted for the wide distribution of Cs-fixing micaceous vermiculite in soils. Origin of the dust was traced through a method developed for isolation of fine quartz silt (1 to 10 μm diameter). Mass spectrometry of its 18O/16O isotopic ratios showed distinctly higher (delta18O = 17 to 22%0) and lower (delta18O = 9 to 15%0) ranges in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, respectively. This difference was traced to the relative proportions of quartz from low-temperature authigenic (chert) vs igneous-metamorphic origin in the respective latitudes, hinging on trans-equatorial continental drift