Characterization, Beneficiation, and Potential Utilization of Ayubia Glauconite, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Keywords:
Glauconite, Beneficiation potential, Water Softener, K-Fertilizer; Petrographic Analysis; Chemical analysisAbstract
The glauconite deposits from Thub top near Ayubia, District Abbottabad (Pakistan) are characterized for their mineral contents, chemical composition, and beneficiation potential by using petrography, chemical analysis and high intensity wet magnetic separation. The petrographic analysis showed that the glauconitic sandstone is dominantly comprised of quartz, carbonate cements, and glauconite. Iron oxides has partially replaced the glauconite. The chemical analysis revealed a low K2O content of 3.23%, below the threshold for economic extraction and utilization in potassium fertilizer (K-fertilizer) production. In addition, the sample in its natural form had low P2O5 and iron oxide contents. The upgradation of glauconite showed an increased concentration of Fe2O3 and FeO (iron oxides) from 11.36% to 17.79% and 4.32% to 4.50% respectively. However, there was an insignificant increase in the concentrations of K2O, P2O5, and other oxides. Furthermore, the potential utilization of the beneficiated glauconite samples as K-fertilizer and water softener was evaluated. The results indicate the limited suitability of glauconite as a fertilizer because of its low potassium (K) contents. In its original form, the material displayed a negative water-softening property. Nevertheless, after regeneration through immersion in NaCl and NaOH solutions, a significant improvement in the water-softening capability of glauconite was observed and the treated glauconite reduced water hardness from 916 mg/L to 300 mg/L.
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