Question

Dominant clay mineral present in red soil is:

• A. Montmorillonite
• B. Kaolinite
• C. Illite
• D. Chlorite

Hint:

Red soil: kaolinite (1:1 clay).
Black soil: montmorillonite (2:1 clay).
Kaolinite is less expansive.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Different soils have different clay minerals.
The type of clay mineral depends on the parent material and weathering.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
No specific formula.
Need to know the clay minerals in different soils.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Red soils are formed from weathering of crystalline rocks.
They are highly weathered and leached.
Kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral in red soils.
Montmorillonite is dominant in black soils.
Illite is dominant in some temperate soils.
Chlorite is less common.
Thus, kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral in red soils.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The dominant clay mineral in red soil is kaolinite.
Hence, the correct option is (B).