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Laterites of Sri Lanka — A reconnaissance study

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Abstract

Laterites occur extensively in the lowlands of Sri Lanka whereas these are observed as localized outcrops in the uplands and the highlands. In lateritis weathering profiles, Al-rich zones are found between and beneath harder Fe-rich layers. The processes of lateritisation and bauxitisation have produced residual products enriched in both Fe2O3 and Al2O3. In the lowlands and uplands the lateritisation processes have prevailed and the bauxitisation trend is more pronounced in the highlands.

Résumé

Les gisements latéritiques s' observent largement dans les “lowlands” du Sri Lanka. Mais dans les “uplands” et “highlands” les affleurements latéritiques sont rares. Aux profils d'altération les zones riches en Al se trouvent entre ou sous les zones plus dures mais riches en Fe. Les deux processus de latéritisation et bauxitisation ont donné lieu aux produits résiduels riches en Fe2O3 ainsi qu'en Al2O3. Il a été observé que le processus de latéritisation se produit plus souvent dans les “lowlands” et “uplands” tandis que la bauxitisation est plus repandue aux “highlands”.

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Dahanayake, K. Laterites of Sri Lanka — A reconnaissance study. Mineral. Deposita 17, 245–256 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206474

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