Distribution of palygorskite and associated clay minerals in the Cenozoic rocks of the Bushehr Province

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of palygorskite and associated silicate clays in selected Cenozoic rocks of the Bushehr Province. Thirteen samples of sedimentary rocks were taken and their clay fractions were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that some sedimentary rocks contain palygorskite but no trace of this clay mineral was found in calcareous shale and calcareous marl units of the Upper Cretaceous to Eocene period. Among sedimentry rocks studied, the Aghajari Formation (Miocene-Pliocene) has the highest quantity of palygorskite. Chlorite, illite, smectite, kaolinite, and quartz were found as other minerals present in sedimentary rocks of the study area. SEM images clearly show the presence pf palygorskite in some sedimentary rocks of the area. It seems that conditions such as shallow intermountain lakes and lagoons were prevailing in the study area during the Cenozoic time.