Florida Geological Survey - Geology Topics
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Identification: Common clay is a sticky, plastic type of
sedimentary rock that is composed primarily of varying
amounts of clay minerals, quartz sand, calcite, iron oxides,
organic impurities and other materials. Most of the
clay in Florida was originally deposited as a mud in seas,
lakes, rivers, or on deltas. Clay may occur in a wide
variety of colors depending upon its mineralogical
composition, impurities, and the amount of weathering which
it has undergone.
Occurrence: Common clay occurs in almost every
county north of the latitude of Lake Okeechobee.
Production and Use: The principal use of common clay in Florida is as an addition to sand in
the construction of roads. Florida clays are also used
in the manufacture of Portland cement and lightweight
aggregate.
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