Lithomarges from Goa - A Study Based on Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Thermal Analysis

The DTA and IR studies of the lithomarges (saprolites) from Goa have shown that they are predominantly made up of kaolinite, chlorite group minerals, goethite and quartz, with minor amounts of gibbsite and talc.

The lithomarges have resulted from weathering of rocks of varying lithologies under subtropical climatic conditions. Depending upon the microenvironments different alteration products may be derived from the same starting material. Absolute and relative accumulation of iron gives rise to the ferricretes while relative enrichment of aluminium as silicates leads to the formation of lithomarges at depth.