|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Laterite
LateriteLaterite is a type of soil produced by intense, prolonged weathering, usually in tropical climates. Abundant oxygen , water , and warmth leach most water-soluble minerals from particles of parent rock and leave a nonsoluble residue enriched in hydroxides of aluminum , iron , magnesium, nickel, and titanium. Laterites high in specific metals are often stripmined as ores. Laterite rich in aluminum are termed aluminous laterite or bauxite. Aluminous laterite is formed from clay minerals such as kaolinite (Al4[Si4O10][OH]8) by the leaching of silica (SiO2). The residue left by the leaching of silica, aluminum hydroxide (Al[OH]3), is termed gibbsite. Gibbsite's dehydrated forms, diaspore and bohemite (both HAlO2), are also common components of aluminous laterite. Aluminous laterite is the world's primary source of aluminum. Laterite descended from basalt is rich in iron and nickel and is termed ferruginous laterite. Laterite formed from rocks particularly rich in nickel may contain a high percentage of the mineral garnierite ([NiMg]6Si4O10[OH]8). A continuum of mixed laterites exists between the aluminous and ferruginous extremes. Nickeliferous laterites are an important commercial source of nickel. See also Soil and soil horizons; Weathering and weathering series |
|
|
Cite this article
"Laterite." World of Earth Science. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Laterite." World of Earth Science. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437800343.html "Laterite." World of Earth Science. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437800343.html |
|
laterite
laterite. Red, porous, ferruginous (i.e. containing iron) rock, found in India and parts of South-East Asia. It is easy to cut when first excavated, but soon becomes extremely hard on exposure to air. It was used in blocks for walls, with no mortar, but surfaces had to be clad with softer stone or plastered if decoration was required as it was too hard to carve.
Bibliography Geographical Review, xxxi (1941), 177–202; |
|
|
Cite this article
JAMES STEVENS CURL. "laterite." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "laterite." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-laterite.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "laterite." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-laterite.html |
|
laterite
lat·er·ite / ˈlatəˌrīt/ • n. a reddish clayey material, hard when dry, forming a topsoil in some tropical or subtropical regions and sometimes used for building. ∎ Geol. a clayey soil horizon rich in iron and aluminum oxides, formed by weathering of igneous rocks in moist warm climates. DERIVATIVES: lat·er·it·ic / ˌlatəˈritik/ adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"laterite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "laterite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-laterite.html "laterite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-laterite.html |
|
laterite
laterite A weathering product of rock, composed mainly of hydrated iron and aluminium oxides, hydroxides, and clay minerals, but also containing some silica. It is related to bauxites and is formed in humid, tropical settings by the weathering of such rocks as basalts. After exposure at the surface it can become a hard, impermeable layer and it has been used as a building material.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-laterite.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-laterite.html |
|
laterite
laterite Weathering product of rock, composed mainly of hydrated iron and aluminium oxides and hydroxides, and clay minerals, but also containing some silica. It is related to bauxites and is formed in humid, tropical settings by the weathering of such rocks as basalts. See also PLINTHITE.
|
|
|
Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-laterite.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-laterite.html |
|
laterite
laterite A weathering product of rock, composed mainly of hydrated iron and aluminium oxides, hydroxides, and clay minerals, but also containing some silica. It is related to bauxites and is formed in humid, tropical settings by the weathering of such rocks as basalts.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-laterite.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "laterite." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-laterite.html |
|
laterite
laterite Reddish soil found in the tropics. It results when hot, wet conditions wash away the nutrient content of the soil, leaving behind hydrated oxides of iron and aluminium. Some laterites contain sufficient iron to be of commercial value.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"laterite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "laterite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-laterite.html "laterite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-laterite.html |
|
laterite
laterite (min.) red porous ferruginous rock. XIX. f. L. later brick + -ITE1.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "laterite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "laterite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-laterite.html T. F. HOAD. "laterite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-laterite.html |
|
laterite
laterite •Hamite, samite
•marmite • Semite • Vegemite
•eremite • Hashemite • Fatimite
•chromite • Edomite • sodomite
•stalagmite • Elamite • dolomite
•Adullamite • dynamite • catamite
•Benthamite
•termite, thermite
•Samnite • sennight • midnight
•lignite • selenite • gelignite
•kaolinite • Leninite
•finite, transfinite
•watchnight • fortnight • Sunnite
•exurbanite, suburbanite, urbanite
•manganite • ammonite • Mennonite
•Canaanite • Maronite • bentonite
•Irvingite • respite • alexandrite
•Arkwright • cartwright • nephrite
•playwright • wainwright
•wheelwright • millwright
•shipwright • copyright • Nazirite
•pyrite • eyebright • nitrite • contrite
•chlorite • forthright • downright
•Fulbright • upright • meteorite
•diorite • fluorite
•Labourite (US Laborite) • sybarite
•Thatcherite • phosphorite • azurite
•anchorite • Hitlerite • dolerite
•Amorite • Minorite • laterite
•Hutterite • birthright
|
|
|
Cite this article
"laterite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "laterite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-laterite.html "laterite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-laterite.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
