Zone of Catagenetic Hydromicatization of Clays--An Area of Intense Redistribution of Chemical Elements: Communication 2. Mineralogical-Geochemical Peculiarities of the Zone of Catagenetic Illitization

Using the moving window method, extensive geochemical data on the sections drilled by the Kuban superdeep borehole and exposed in the middle stream of the Sulak River were analyzed. It is shown that the zone of catagenetic fluidization and development of mixed-layer clay minerals is marked by the redistribution of chemical elements. Forcing mechanism of this process is the conversion of smectites to illite and transformation of dispersed organic matter under the growing temperature and pressure.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]