Dissolution of Interlayers from Intergradient Soil Clays after Preheating at 400{degrees}C

Dehydroxylated interlayers have been removed from chlorite-vermiculite-montmorillonite intergrades by boiling the preheated sample in 0.5N NaOH for 2.5 minutes. Elements extracted can be conveniently analyzed spectrophotometrically. A convenient method of estimating the amount of elements present in interlayer positions and preparing the sample for analysis for expanding and nonexpanding mineral components is thus provided.