The description of montmorillonite is :- one of a number of clay
minerals within the Smectite Group. It forms by weathering or
hydrothermal alteration of other aluminum-rich minerals, and is
particularly common in altered volcanic ashes called bentonites.
The description of bentonite is :- a native, colloidal, hydrated,
non-metallic mineral of the Smectite Group that is primarily
composed of the mineral montmorillonite.
And further - Montmorillonite is a member of the general mineral
group - the clays. It is the main constituent in a volcanic ash
called bentonite.
One of the confusing aspect of commercially available
montmorillonite clays is the use of two names for exactly the same
mineral.
Montmorillonite clays are bentonite clays and bentonite clays are
montmorillonite clays. They are not two separate minerals as we
think. They are one and the same thing. All types of bentonite
clays are grouped together under the Montmorillonite or Smectite
group of clays. To speak of one is to speak of the other.
Marketing of various brand names using the different terminology
for the same thing, in the same text, is often responsible for the
confusion that arises.
Montmorillonite was named after its discovery locality,
Montmorillon, France in the 1800's. Bentonite was named after Fort
Benton, Montana, near which it was discovered.
It is typically white, grey, or buff in colour but may have tints
of yellow, pink, or blue. Montmorillonite has a pearly or dull
lustre and is translucent. Montmorillonite clays are mined in
various parts of the world. Deposits are found in Italy, Greece.
Cyprus, the Philippines, South Africa, Brazil, England, Japan,
Romania, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, India, Hungary,
Poland, Canada, Turkey, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas.
Various purities are found in different regions. In some parts of
the world montmorillonite clays were formed during the Jurassic
period many millions of years ago. Others originate from later
periods. Just like all minerals in the earth, the quality of the
deposit will vary from area to area and country to country. Whilst
some are of excellent quality others are not very pure.
Because montmorillonite clay is used as a human health food as
well as in the fish industry, claims by health experts make
interesting reading. An average mineral analysis of
Montmorillonite by health experts demonstrate it contains no less
than 67 minerals, including vital trace minerals. Recently it has
been recognized and utilized by the cosmetic industry and by soil
experts, who value it as an exceptionally good agricultural
enhancement: crops grow faster, taste better, and are more
resistant to disease.
Montmorillonite contains a balance of minerals in their natural
colloidal form, making it easily assimilated. The minerals present
in montmorillonite enhance the production of enzymes in all living
organisms.
Some deposits contain only 30% - 40% of its base elements
(montmorillonite). This is considered a low grade in the mining
industry. In order to improve the grading (purity) some products
have to be refined or processed. The other 60% - 70% of unwanted
material has to be removed. Only after refinement does it achieve
a 80 or 90% purity as claimed. Montmorillonite are naturally
mineral rich clays, formed many millions of years ago under
certain geological conditions - therefore, it appears that some
products have a percentage of minerals added to bring the quality
up to an acceptable level.
There are several forms of montmorillonite available on the
market. Some products are a pure montmorillonite clay. Others are
a less pure form and have to be processed to remove and eliminate
impurities they are mined with. Some claim to have bacteria
additives. Some may have additives to the clay such as extra
minerals, above what is naturally found in the clay. Whilst others
are a montmorillonite clay / zeolite powder formulations.
Montmorillonite clays, depending of the chemical composition and
purity, enhances water quality, replenish and enhance minerals and
remove certain unwanted wastes. The uses and benefits go further
than this. Montmorillonite improves the lustre and skin quality of
koi as well as heightening the colour. Added to food it is claimed
to aid digestion and increase the koi’s ability to assimilate the
vitamins and minerals required in their diet.
Some claims are made that organic waste such as DOC will be
removed from the pond. The ionic exchange capacity is increased.
i.e. The scum on the pond can be reduced and perhaps eliminated by
using Montmorillonite.
The idea that Montmorillonite clays could be used in the
remineralisation of ponds originate in Japan. Natural mud ponds
are lined with bentonite to seal them. It was also discovered that
feeding small quantities to koi and occasionally bathing then in
it or adding regulated dosages to the pond resulted in wonderful
and significant effects on their colour and lustre.
Montmorillonite can be easily added to your daily ration of food.
This is an excellent idea as it will replicate the koi feeding
continuously off minute mineral rich particles on the floor of mud
dams.
By treating Montmorillonite with soda ash, the meta-bentonite
Sodium Bentonite, can absorb water and swell to about 20 times
their dry volume and give rise to permanent suspensions of gellike
masses. The sub-bentonites, containing calcium become Calcium
Bentonite or Montmorillonite, do not swell to this extent but are
still capable of absorbing from their surrounding at a phenomenal
rate and contain as many minerals as Sodium bentonite. Calcium
bentonites are nonswelling and break down to a finely granular
aggregate that is widely used as an absorbent clay.
Bentonite/Montmorillonite is used to seal dams, in bonding foundry
sands, asbestos, and mineral wool, as drilling muds, in portland
cements and concrete, ceramics, emulsions, insecticides, soaps,
pharmaceuticals, and paints, in the manufacture of paper, for
clarifying water, juices, and liquors, and as a water softener to
remove calcium from hard water, removing colour from mineral and
vegetable oils, also used as catalyst supports and absorbents in
petroleum refining.
The montmorillonite minerals are composed of hydrous aluminum
silicates in the form of extremely small particles. They take up
water between their layers, causing swelling, and change the
interlayer spacing according to the mineral variety. In addition
to being involved in inorganic exchange reactions, they react with
and absorb some organic liquids, such as amines, glycols,
glycerols, and other polyhydric alcohols.
For the koi hobbyist montmorillonite is used directly in the pond
water each week in the recommended dosage. Some types disperse
more easily than others. Some have to be mixed with water before
application whilst others can be sprinkled directly onto the pond
surface. The pond will clear in about 6 - 10 hours, depending on
the amount of organic material in the pond, but the
montmorillonite will remain active. Do not be worried in a new
pond if the water does not clear in a day or two.
Also the clay can be mixed with the food. Coat damp pellets
lightly with montmorillonite. Feed a few times a week.
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