ABSTRACT
Autoclave experimental results show that berthierine is not stable in hydrothermal solutions at 250°C. In neutral to alkaline solution, the principal decomposition product of the berthierine is a swelling clay. The swelling clay produced in this reaction is Fe-rich and trioctahedral and is classified as Fe-saponite. In acidic solution, Fe-chlorite is the major reaction product. A geochemical computer program, PATHARC, was used to simulate the hydrothermal reactions of berthierine. The model predicted all major reactions observed in the experiments, including the destruction of berthierine, the formation of Fe-saponite in neutral to alkaline solutions, and the formation of Fe-chlorite in acidic solutions.
