A multivariate analytical approach to granulometry of kaolinitic sediments from Botswana

Abstract

Investigations on granulometric characteristics of kaolinitic sediments from Makoro and Kanye in Botswana were carried out in order to apply multivariate analyses in understanding grain size distribution trends. Kaolin samples from both study sites consisted mainly of the silt (2-49 µm) fraction: (2 µm) x =18.11%; (2-49 µm) x =79.55% and (50 µm) x = 2.35% for the Makoro samples, and 23.33%, 75.03% and 1.30% respectively for the Kanye samples Clay fractions ranged from 5.0% to 42.7% with a median of 20.35% among the 30 Makoro samples, and from 4.8% to 33.3% with a median of 24.85% among the 26 Kanye samples. Particle densities for samples from both Makoro and Kanye ranged from 2.64 to 2.66gcm^-3. Makoro samples contained significantly higher proportions of clay and sand, and lower percentages of silt than Kanye samples. The Kanye samples were quite distinguishable from the Makoro samples using modal size and surface area of particles. The results depicted values for particle density, mean, mode, and surface area of clayey grains to be consistent with those obtained from other kaolin deposits and occurrences from around the world.

Keywords: granulometric characteristics, kaolinitic sediments, multivariate analyses, grain size distribution

Botswana Journal of Technology Vol 14(1) 2005: 36-42