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Faculty of Science, University of Split , Split , Croatia
Faculty of Science, University of Split , Split , Croatia
Faculty of Science, University of Split , Split , Croatia
In south-western Mauritius besides the small village of Chamarel (Mauritius), you can find this uniqu land with colouring soil. The soil found here reflects seven different colours like red, blue, green, brown, violet, yellow and purple. The analysis of the soil was taken by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The research show that this natural phenomenon is due to decomposed basalt gullies. The hot and humid climate helps in the decomposition of the basalt into clay. As a result of total hydrolysis (chemical breakdown of minerals by water), the soluble elements such as silicic acid and cations are washed, leaving a large composition of iron and aluminium which constitute a ferralitic soil. The iron sesquioxides (Fe2O3) have a red and anthracite colour, whereas the aluminium sesquioxides (Al2O3) have a blue or purplish colour.
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