Mineralogical properties of the Quaternary deposits in the Iraqi highway, east of Al Warka city- Southern Iraq

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science Vol. 779; no. 1; pp. 12064 - 12074
• Main Authors: Al-Aoufi, Hiba K., Al-Jaberi, Mohanad H., Al-Saad, Harith A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Anorthite; Biotite; Calcite; Celestite; Clay minerals; Dolomite; Environmental changes; Gypsum; Heavy metals; Illite; Indicators; Kaolinite; Loam; Mineralogy; Minerals; Mollusks; Nutrient content; Pyroxenes; Quartz; Quaternary; Rutile; Sandy loam; Sediment deposits; Sedimentary environments; Sediments; Shells; Silt; Silt loam; Texture; Tourmaline; Water depth; Zircon; Iraq
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/779/1/012064

Abstract The study was carried out on sub-surface sediments of quaternary deposits in the southern part of the Iraqi highway-east of the Al Warka city, Southern Iraq. This study has been focused on the variety of sedimentary environments in the quaternary period. The variations in mineralogy and texture with depths gave an indicator of environmental change. Silt, sandy silt, silt loam and sandy loam are most of sediments texture variation with depths. Quartz, anorthite feldspar, dolomite, calcite, Mg-Ca calcite, and gypsum are most of the light minerals in the studied area. Quartz and feldspar are dominant form depth intervals between 1 to 5 meters. Calcite is predominant at depth 6 meters with high shell fragments reached 38% as an indicator to change of sedimentary environments from depth interval 6 to 12m. The rate of shells growth at 6m depth was much higher in the fine-sediment and nutrient-rich channel, this conclusion may be an indicator of environmental change at this depth, suggests a high nutrient content in the river at this period allowed for molluscs shell growth. Opaque minerals, Chlorite, Pyroxene, biotite, epidote, staurolite, zircon, tourmaline, and rutile are most of the heavy metals. Chlorite, biotite, pyroxene, zircon, garnet, and rutile are increase with depths, while opaque and celestite are decreasing with depths. Chlorite, illite, and kaolinite are most of the clay minerals. Illite and kaolinite are increase with depths, while chlorite is decreased with depths.