Clay materials of the quarry of Bingerville (district of Abidjan) have been characterized by chemical analysis, X-rays diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. These materials contain kaolinite (41%-84%), illite (4%-10%), quartz (14%-27%), goethite (2%-5%) and small amount of rutile (1%) that are not toxic minerals. They also contain some heavy metals which are beneficial to human biological activity (cobalt, copper, molybdenum, zinc) in tiny quantities. Some other heavy metals (lead, cadmium) which are considered as poisonous for human are present in very low content. The samples characterized by relatively fine grains are moderately crystallized. Their specific surface area varied from 26 to 43 m 2 •g −1. The mineralogical and physicochemical characteristics of these samples are like ones known for their healing properties. The consumption by internal way of studied materials, although it may be beneficial, requires a sifting to remove coarse grains (ϕ > 2 μm) and a previous microbiological control.

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In order to contribute to the valorisation of the clay materials of Ivory Coast in the depollution of wastewater, the physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of three clay samples taken in Agboville (AGB), Bingerville (BIN) and Katiola (KAT) was carried out. The objective of this work was to compare the properties of the clays in order to identify the one that is likely to have interesting adsorptive capacities to clean up contaminated water. These clays were studied by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. In addition, their specific surface areas and cation exchange capacities were determined. The AGB clay is composed of 75.51% kaolinite, 14.20% illite and 9.26% quartz. The BIN clay contains 52.21% kaolinite, 6.23% illite, 17.50% quartz and 15.71% goethite. As for the KAT clay, it contains 48.08% kaolinite, 3.55% illite, 20.14% smectite, 6.11% quartz and 16.86% goethite. Their thermal behavior and microstructure are in agreement with their mineralogy. The measured specific surface areas and cation exchange capacities are consistent with literature values. The KAT clay has the highest specific surface and cation exchange capacity. In the light of the results obtained, the KAT clay appears to be more effective in depolluting water than the BIN and AGB clays.