Clay minerals thermodynamic stability

For these reasons, the thermodynamic data on which a model is based vary considerably in quality. At the minimum, data error limits the resolution of a geochemical model. The energetic differences among groups of silicates, such as the clay minerals, is commonly smaller than the error implicit in estimating mineral stability. A clay mineralogist, therefore, might find less useful information in the results of a model than expected. 

May H.M., Kinniburgh D.G., Helmke P.A. and Jackson M.L. (1986) Aqueous dissolution, solubilities and thermodynamic stabilities of common aluminosilicate clay minerals Kaolinite and smectites. Geochim. Cosmochim Acta 50, 1667-1677. 

So far we have used phase diagrams to visualize clay mineral stabilities and phase relations involving the clays in natural waters. Given the complex chemistries of mixed-layer clays in particular, geochemical computer codes offer a more rigorous way to evaluate their stabilities. The thermodynamic data bases of most of these codes list stability constants for a variety of clay minerals which, except for kaolinite, are usually of nonideal composition. Most of these stability constants have been obtained from solubility measurements and are of mixed reliability. It is appropriate to... 

Engi, M. 1992. Thermodynamic data for minerals a critical assessment. In Price, J. D. Ross, N. L. (eds) The Stability of Clay Minerals. The Mineralogical Society Series 3, Chapman Hall, London, 267-328. 

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