Clay Mineral Assemblage and Their Origin of Unconsolidated Sediments of Youngjong Island, Western Part of Korea

영종도 비고화 퇴적물의 점토광물 조성 및 기원에 관한 연구

Unconsolidated sediments of Youngjong Island were investigated to consider the vertical distribution of clay minerals and their origin. At least three sedimentation units can be recognized by color, magnetic susceptibility, and pH. X-ray diffraction analysis of clay size fraction reveals that illite is the most abundant phase (52.06%), and chlorite (27.16%), kaolinite (16.92%), smectite (3.86%) occur next to it. Detailed XRD study suggests that illitic materials contain fairly large amount of ordinary muscovite derived from the mica schist in Youngjong Island and adjacent area. The relative amount of kaolinite and chlorite is less than those of samples from estuary mouth of several rivers that flow to Yellow Sea and South Sea. Especially smectite content of the present sample is much higher than those of estuary sediments. These indicate that the unconsolidated sediments of tidal-flat deposit in Youngjong Island are largely affected by marine influence and partly affected by sediment in influx from China. However, some degree of source of this unconsolidated sediments is inland origin from adjacent estuary sediment and in situ or nearby weathered materials.