Observations on the Origin of Endellite in Kentucky, and Their Extension to “Indianaite”

Endellite is being formed south of Stanford, Kentucky, in an acid environment (pH 3.0-3.7; acidity at source, p. 1). Parent materials are principally a weathered residuum, derived presumably from the Brassfield Limestone that lies between the illitic, Devonian New Albany (Chattanooga) Shale and illitic, Ordovician Richmond Shale, and added Si and Al dissolved from the New Albany Shale. The source of the acid is the weathering iron sulfide in the New Albany Shale.