- journal_title：Clays and Clay Minerals
- Contributor：Kirsty L. Grogan ; Robert J. Gilkes ; Bernd G. Lottermoser
- Publisher：Clay Minerals Society
- Date：2003-
- Format：text/html
- Language：en
- Identifier：10.1346/CCMN.2003.0510404
- journal_abbrev：Clays and Clay Minerals
- issn：0009-8604
- volume：51
- issue：4
- firstpage：390
- section：Articles
Evidence for the formation of maghemite from goethite due to a bushfire on acid sulfate soil at East Trinity, Australia, is presented. Oxidation of pyrite-bearing acid sulfate soils led to precipitation of goethite-impregnated leaf litter. During a major bushfire, goethite with a crystal size calculated from broadening of the 110 reflection of ~9 nm was converted to microcrystalline maghemite (size 12 nm, 220 reflection) and hematite (17 nm, 104 reflection) in a matrix of partly combusted plant litter. Replication of this natural formation of maghemite from goethite was achieved in the laboratory by burning goethite-impregnated leaf litter.