Synthesis of Sepiolite at Room Temperature from SiO2 and MgCl2 Solution

The occurrence of sepiolite and palygorskite in soils, Eocene limestones and the Asmari dolomitic limestone of Iran has been described by many workers (Bentor et al. , 1963; Martin Vivaldi & Robertson, 1971; Abtahi, 1977, 1980). No studies have been carried out on the genesis of these minerals in Iranian soils, however, and the purpose of this note is to describe some experimental conditions under Which sepiolite can form, and which also could apply to the genesis of the mineral in Iranian soils.