Attapulgite/Fuller's Earth - Attapulgus, Ga.
Posted by: 
Coinseekers
N 30° 44.921 W 084° 29.152
16R E 740678 N 3404451
Located off Englehard Way Attapulgus, Ga.
Waymark Code: WM8KBW
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 04/13/2010
Views: 6
There are many types of Fullers Earth clay. Attapulgite is a unique type, found in the USA only in Decatur County, Ga and Gadsden County. Fl. It is also found in Spain, Russia , and China. The unique nature of Attapulgite is, when mixed with fresh or salt water, it forms a gel. With new processes of refining oil, this no longer a major use. Other uses have been developed in cosmetics, paint, medicine, dry wall taping, and oil drilling. All processing of the clay was moved to Quincy in 1998. Some mining is still being done in the area.
Side 2
(Text On Old Marker)
Fullers Earth, a clay used for bleaching petroleum oil, has been refined near here since 1907. The name is derived from its earlier use of fulling or cleaning the grease from wool. Georgia has led the production of Fullers Earth since 1924.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Fullers Earth is any nonplastic clay or claylike earthy material that can be use to filter animal, mineral, and vegetable oils. It is composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron oxides, lime, magnesia, and water, in extremely variable proportions.
Type of Marker: Highway
Marker #: None
Date: 2008
Sponsor: Friends of Attapulgus High School
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Visit Instructions:
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