Debre Tabor kaolin deposit is located around Debre Tabor town in Amhara region of northwestern Ethiopia. The kaolin deposit in the study area needs a detailed study to evaluate the geological, mineralogical, physical, and geochemical conditions. For this purpose, detailed geological, physical, mineralogical, and geochemical laboratory tests were performed. XRD and petrographic analysis were used to study the mineralogical composition. Geochemical analysis was determined using ICP-MS and ICP-AES. The Debre Tabor kaolin deposit is exposed along riverbanks, road cuts, hillside, and quarry sites. The laboratory results reveal that the deposit is formed from the weathering of felsic rocks mainly trachyte and tuff units. From the laboratory analysis, we found that quartz is the dominant impurities. The geological, mineralogical, and geochemical studies indicate that in situ weathering followed by leaching played a major role in the formation of the Debre Tabor kaolin deposit. The average Chemical Index of Alteration (77.98%) shows that the host rock has experienced moderate weathering and alteration under the hot and humid climatic conditions of the subtropical zone. The low bulk density (1.54 g cm−3) and Ce + Y + La vs. Ba + Sr plot correspond to the supergene type of formation. Based on the mineralogical, geochemical, and physical properties, Debre Tabor kaolin deposit can be used for refractory, ceramics, paper coating, and filler (paint) industries, but treatment is important to remove the existing impurities such as iron, quartz, and feldspars.
AbbateE, BruniP, SagriM.2015. Geology of Ethiopia: a review and geomorphological perspectives. In: BilliPaolo, editor. Landscapes and landforms of Ethiopia. World Geomorphological LandscapesSage UK: London, England;Springer Science + Business Media, Dordrecht. p. 33–64.
2.
AdewolaA, TamunobelemaE.2017. Mineralogical and geochemical trends in the residual soils above basement rocks in Ore Area, Southwestern Nigeria.J Geogr Geol. 9:42–58.
3.
AkinolaOO, ObasiRA.2014. Compositional characteristics and industrial potential of the lateritic clay deposit in Ara-Ijero Ekiti Areas, Southwestern Nigeria.Int J Sci Technol Res. 8:305–311.
4.
AkinyemiSA, OgunniyiaSO, OjoaAO, GitaricWM, MomohbA, AkinolaaOO, TalabiaAO, AfolagboyeaLO, OlaolorunOA, AyodeleOS.2014. Mineralogy, physicochemical characteristics and industrial potential of some residual clay deposits within Ekiti State.Southwest Niger J Environ Earth Sci. 4:17.
5.
Al-ShameriA, RongLX.2009. Characterization and evaluation of Alga of kaolin deposits of Yemen for industrial application.Am J Eng Appl Sci. 2:292–296.
6.
AlemayehuM, ZhangH-F, BinZ, BirhanuF, SamuelA, MuhammedH.2016. Petrological constraints on the evolution of continental lithospheric mantle beneath the northwestern Ethiopian plateau: Insight from mantle xenoliths from the Gundeweyn area, East Gojam, Ethiopia.Lithos. 240-243: 295–308.
7.
Annon.1972. Kaolin in the UK, English China clay deposits on its lead-in world paper.Ind Miner. 52:9–29.
8.
ArefAA, LeiXR.2009. Characterization and evaluation of Algaof kaolin deposits of Yemen for industrial application.Am J Eng Appl Sci. 2(2):292–296.
9.
ArianaZ, WeihedP, BlancoM, VladimirM.2016. Geological, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of Devonian kaolinite-bearing sediments for further applications in the ceramic (tiles) industry in La Paz, Bolivia.Environ Earth Sci. 75:1–15.
10.
AristizabalE, RoserB, YokotaS.2005. Tropical chemical weathering of hill slope deposits and bedrock source in the Aburra valley, northern Colombian Andes.Eng Geol. 81:389–406.
11.
ArribasJA, CunninghamCG, RytubaJJ, RyeRO, KellyWC, PodwysockiMH, MckeeEH, TosdalRM.1995. Geology, geochronology, fluid inclusions and isotope geochemistry of the Rodalquilar gold alunite deposit, Spain.Econ Geol. 90:795–822.
12.
AwadME, AmerR, López-GalindoA, El-RahmanyMM, Del MoralLF, ViserasC.2018. Hyperspectral remotesensing for mapping and detection of Egyptian kaolin quality.Appl Clay Sci. 160:249–262.
13.
AyalewD, MartyB, YirguG, PikR.1999. Geochemical and isotopic (Sr, Nd and Pd) characteristics of volcanic rocks from southwestern Ethiopia.J Afr Earth Sci. 29:381–391.
14.
BakerC, UrenR.1982. Kaolin in New South Wales. Geological Survey of New South Wales, p. 231.
15.
BedassaG, GetanehW, HailuB.2019. Geochemical and mineralogical evidence for the supergene origin of kaolin deposits-central main Ethiopian rift.J Afr Earth Sci. 149:143–153.
16.
BloodworthA, HighleyD, MitchellC.1993. Industrial Minerals Laboratory Manual: Kaolin, British Geological Survey Technical Report, WG/93/1, p. 76
17.
BolarinwaAT.2006. Mineralogy and geochemistry of the weathering profiles above basement rocks in Ibadan southwestern, Nigeria.Global J Geol Sci. 4(2):183–191.
18.
BoyntonWV.1984. Cosmochemistry of the rare earth elements: meteorite studies.Dev Geochem. 2:63–114.
19.
BristowCM.1987. World kaolin: genesis, exploitation, and application.Ind Miner. 238:45–49.
20.
BundyWM, ConleyRF.1962. French patent, in: industrial minerals and rocks. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.Sage UK: London, England
21.
ColeWF.1960. A note on the practical values of clay mineralogy in coarse ceramics.Clay Min Bull. 4(33):134–141.
22.
CondieKC.1991. Another look at rare-earth elements in shales.Geochim Cosmochim Acta. 55:2527–2531.
23.
CraveroE, DominguezF.1999. Origin of sedimentary kaolin in the Neuquen Basin, Argentina as determined by Oxygen Isotopes.Period di Mineral. 68:213–222.
24.
Da CostaML, MoraesEL.1998. Mineralogy, geochemistry, and genesis of kaolin from the Amazon region.J Miner Depos. 33:283–297.
25.
DillHG.2016. Kaolin: soil, rock and ore: from the mineral to the magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic environments.Earth-Sci Rev. 16:16–129.
26.
DillHG, BosseH, HenningH, FrickeA, AhrendtH.1997. Minerallogical and chemical variations in hypogene and supergene kaolin deposits in a mobile fold belt in the centeral Andes of northwestern Peru.Miner Depos. 32:149–163.
27.
Duzgoren-AydinNS, AydinA.2003. Chemical heterogeneities of weathered igneous profiles: implications for chemical indices.Environ Eng Geosci. 9(4):363–376.
28.
Duzgoren-AydinNS, AydinA, MalpasJ.2002. Distribution of clay minerals along a weathered pyroclastic profile, Hong Kong.Catena. 50:17–41.
29.
EkosseGE, DejagerL, NgoleV.2001. Traditional mining and mineralogy of geophagic clays from Limpopo and free state provinces, South Africa.Afr J Biotechnol. 9(47):8058–8067.
30.
EkpunobiUE, DuruCB, OgbuaguAS, ObumseluEO.2013. Analysis and characterization of clay deposits in Idemili river, South eastern Nigeria.Pelagia Res Libr Chem Sin. 4:6–9.
31.
FatahiS, CalagariAA, AbediniA, TabatabaieSH, Mansouri IsfehaniM.2017. Mineralogy, technological properties, and industrial application of kaolin deposits at Nivasht and Kabudkamar areas, northwest of Saveh, Central Province.Iran J Crystallogr Mineral. 25(3):619–628.
32.
GezahegnG, GetanehW.2020. Economic geology and genesisof kaolin resources in the East African rift system: the case of Alemtena kaolin deposit, Ethiopia.Appl Earth Sci. doi:10.1080/25726838.2020.1809315.
33.
GideyT, HagosM, KonkaB, GebremicaleA.2020. Genesis and characteristics of lateritic iron deposit in Mai-Kuhli area, western Tigray, northern Ethiopia.J Afr Earth Sci. 172(2020):104005.
34.
GrimshawRW.1975. The chemistry and physics of clays. New York: McGraw HillSage UK: London, England.
35.
GuJ, HuangZ, FanH, JinZ, YanZ, ZhangJ.2013. Mineralogy, geochemistry, and genesis of lateritic bauxite deposits in the Wuchuan-Zheng'an-Daozhen area, Northern Guizhou Province, China.J Geoch Explore. 130:44–59.
36.
HagosM, ChristianK, KabetoK, KollerF.2010. Geology, petrology, and geochemistry of the Basaltic Rocks of the Axum Area, Northern Ethiopia.
37.
HarnoisL.1988. The CIW index: a new chemical index of weathering.Sediment Geol. 55:319–322.
38.
HassanM, BaioumyH, AlbertG, TaubaldH.2012. Mineralogy and geochemistry of the sedimentary kaolin deposits from Sinai, Egypt: implications for control by the source rocks.Clays Clay Miner. 6:633–654.
Institute of Ethiopian Geological Survey.2010. Geological map of southern Gondar, Amhara region, Ethiopia, at the scale of 1:250, 000, Memory No.29.
42.
IsmailS, HusainV, AnjumS.2014. Mineralogy and genesis of Nagar Parker kaolin deposits, Tharparkar District, Sindh, Pakistan.Int J Econ Environ Geol. 5(1):33–40.
43.
JepsonWB.1984. Kaolin: their properties and uses.Phil Trans R Soc Lond. 11:411–432.
44.
KabetoK, SawadaY, RoserB.2009. Compositional differences between felsic volcanic rocks from the margin and center of the Northern main Ethiopian rift.Momena Ethiop J Sci. 1:4–35.
45.
KabetoK, ZenebeA, BheemalingeswaraK, AtshbehaK, GebresilassieS, AmareK.2012. Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of clay and Lacustrine deposits of Lake Ashenge Basin, Northern Ethiopia: Implication for industrial applications.Momena Ethiop J Sci. 4(2):111–129.
46.
KaradağMM, KüpeliŞ, ArykF, AyhanA, ZedeV.2009. Rare earth element (REE) geochemistry and genetic implications of the Mortas bauxite deposit (Seydisehir/konya-Southern Turkey).Chem Erde-Geochem. 69(2):143–159.
47.
KefasHM, PatrickOD, ChiromaMT.2007. Characterization of Mayo-Belwa clay.Leonardo Electron J Pract Technol. 11:123–130.
48.
KotalM, BhowmickAK.2015. Polymer nano-composites from modified clays: recent advances and challenges.Prog Polym Sci. 51:127–187.
49.
LimaPA, AngelicaR, NevesR.2017. Dissolution kinetics of Amazonian Meta-kaolin in hydrochloric acid.Clay Miner. 52:75–82.
50.
Lopez-GalindoC, ViserasC.2007. Compositional, technical, and safety speciation of clay to be used pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.Appl Clay Sci. 36:51–63.
51.
MaluS, OkoO, UgyeJ, AbahJ.2013. Characterization of Mbayion clay for its industrial potentials.JETEAS. 4(6):769–772.
52.
McLennanSM, TaylorSR.1991. Sedimentary rocks and crustal evolution: tectonic setting and secular trends.J Geol. 99(1):1–21.
53.
MerlaG, AbbateE, CanutiP, SagriM, TacconiP.1973. Geological map of Ethiopia and Somalia, scale 1:2, 000,000. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma.
54.
MeshramRR, RandiveKR.2011. Geochemical study of laterites of the Jamnagar district, Gujarat, India: implications on parent rock, mineralogy, and tectonics.J Asian Earth Sci. 42:1271–1287.
55.
JJMiddelburg, CHVan der Weijden, WoittezJRW.1988. Chemical processes affecting the mobility of major, minor, and trace elements during weathering of granitic rocks. Chem Geol. 68:253–273.
56.
MisraK.2012. Understanding mineral deposits. Springer Science & Business MediaSage UK: London, England, Dordrecht.
MordbergLE, SprattJ.1998. Alteration of zircons: the evidence of Zr mobility during bauxitic weathering.Goldschmidt Conf Toulouse. 62A:1021–1022.
59.
MosserCE.1980. Geochimique de quelques elements tracesdansargiles des alterations sediments.Sci Geol Mem., Institut de Geologie, U.L.P., Strasbourg.63:229.
60.
MosserC, BrillanceauA, BesnusY.1991. Relationship between sediments and their igneous source rocks using clay minerals multi-element chemistry: the Cenozoic lacustrine Anloua Basin (adamaoua, Cameroon).Chem Geol. 90:319–324.
61.
MurrayHH.1988. Kaolin minerals: their genesis and occurrences. In: BaileySW, editor. Reviews in mineralogy, hydrous phyllosilicates. Mineralogical Society of America Publication no. 19Sage UK: London, England. Washington D.C.
62.
MurrayHH.1999. Applied clay mineralogy today and tomorrow.Clay Miner. 34:39–49.
MurrayHH, KogelJE.2005. Engineered clay products for the paper industry.Appl Clay Sci. 19:199–206.
65.
NesbittHW, YoungGM.1982. Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites.Nature. 299:715–717.
66.
NguetnkamJP, KamgaR, VilliérasF, EkodeckGE, YvonJ.2007. Pedogenic formation of smectites in a vertisol developed from granitic rock from Kaélé Central Africa.Clay Miner. 42:487–501.
67.
NouriT, MasoumiR.2020. Geochemical and industrial properties of the Kejal kaolin deposit, NW Iran.Turk J Earth Sci. 29:325–346.
68.
NwoyeIC.2003. Investigating the influence of particle size and size distribution on the physical and mechanical properties of ceramic materials. Project report, p. 6–22.
69.
NwoyeIC.2010. Effect of water- steam transition temperature on the evaporation of clay during oven drying of clay.New York Sci J. 3(4):33–38.
70.
NyakairuGW, KoeberlC, KurzweilH.2001. The Buwambo kaolin deposit in central Uganda: mineralogical and chemical composition.Geochem J. 35(4):245–256.
71.
OkunlolaOA.2008. Compositional characteristics and functional industrial application of Itakpe clay occurrence, central Nigeria.Eur J Sci Res. 19:453–461.
72.
OlusolaJ, SurajuA, NurudeenA.2014. Geochemical and mineralogical studies of kaolinitic clays in parts of Ilorin, southwestern Basement rock area.Univ J Geosci. 2(7):212–221.
73.
OyebamijiA, RuizhongH, FalaeP, OkunlolaO.2017. Geochemical and mineralogical investigation of kaolin occurrence around Ugiamen area, Southern Nigeria.IJSER. 8:2229–5518.
74.
ParkerEK.1967. Minerals data book for Engineers and scientists. New York: McGraw Hill Book Co.Sage UK: London, England, p. 283.
75.
PikR, DenielC, CoulonC, YirguG, HofmannC, AyalewD.1998. The northwestern Ethiopian plateau flood basalts: classification and spatial distribution of magma types.J Volcanol Geotherm Res. 81:91–111.
76.
PikR, DenielC, CoulonC, YirguG, MartyB.1999. Isotopic and trace element signatures of Ethiopian flood basalts: evidence for plume–lithosphere interactions.Geochim Cosmochim Acta. 63:2263–2279.
RamaswamyS, RaghavanP.2011. Significance of impurity mineral identification in the value addition of kaolin – A case study with reference to an acidic kaolin from India.J Miner Mater Charact Eng. 10(11):1007–1025.
79.
RashadAM.2013. Metakaolin as cementitious material: history, scours, production and composition – A comprehensive overview. Constr. Build. Mater. 41:303–318.
80.
RollisonHR.1993. Using geochemical data: evaluation, presentation, and interpretation. New York: WileySage UK: London, England, p. 380.
81.
RyanW.1978. Properties of ceramics raw material, 2nd ed. Oxford: Pergamon PressSage UK: London, England.
82.
SadafI, ViqarH, GulraizH, MuhammadB.2015. Physico-chemical characteristics of Nagar Parkar kaolin deposits, Thar Parkar district, Sindh, Pakistan.J Himal Earth Sci. 48:50–58.
83.
SearleAB, GrimshawRW.1959. The chemistry and physics of clays. New York: Interscience Publishers, Inc.Sage UK: London, England, p. 942.
84.
SingerF, SonjaSS.1971. Industrial ceramics publication. London: Chapman and HallSage UK: London, England; p. 18–56.
85.
TaylorSR, McLennanSM.1981. The composition and evolution of the continental crust: rare earth element evidence from sedimentary rocks.Philos Trans R Soc London. 301:381–399.
86.
TraoréD, BeauvaisA, ChabauxF, PeiffertC, ParisotJC, AmbrosiJP, ColinnF.2008. Chemical and physical transfers in an ultramafic rock weathering profile: Part 1. Supergene dissolution of Pt-bearing chromite.Am Mineral. 93:22–30.
87.
VeglioF, PassarielloB, ToroL, MarabiniAM.1996. Development of a bleaching process for kaolin of industrial interest by oxalic, ascorbic and sulphuric acids: preliminary study using statistical methods of experimental design.Ind Eng Chem Res. 35:1680–1687.
88.
YunhuaS, LipuS.1987. REE geochemistry of the weathered crust of acid volcanic rocks.
89.
ZamanianH, AhmadnejadF, ZarasvandiA.2015. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations of the Mombi bauxite deposit, Zagros Mountains, Iran.Chemie der Erde-Geochemistry. 76:13–37.
