attapulgite clay

Agricultural Uses

Attapulgite clay is clay from Attapulgus, Georgia, USA. It is hydrous, needle-like magnesium aluminum silicate [(MgAl)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₄·4H₂O] and is the chief ingredient in Fuller's earth. It is used as a suspending agent in fertilizers, lime, gypsum, etc. and has absorptive and swelling properties.
Attapulgite clay is also used in drilling fluids, decolorizing oils and as a filtering medium.