Clays and Soil Chemistry

The clay minerals, particularly expansible phases such as smectite and vermiculite, are very sensitive to the environment in which they occur. Because of the nature of the interlayer region, hydroxyl-interlayered vermiculite and 

Contaminants for control Status (actual or potential use) Pretreatments required Relevant clay properties 

Heavy metal Actual, mainly Mostly none, some Charge, surface 

Organic and Potential for water and Generally none. Charge, surface 

Non-ionic organic molecules Actual, for water and wastewater treatment potential, for pesticide control, waste liners Cation saturation, organic or inorganic modification Charge 

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