The Mesopotamian Geochemical researches..

GEOCHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF NORTH WEST ARABIAN GULF BOTTOM SEDIMENTS
 

Abdul-Mutalib H. Al-Marsoumi*

Solak A. Darmoian

College of Science, Basrah University, Basrah-Iraq

Abstract

   Twenty one samples collected from bottom sediments of northwest Arabian Gulf were analysed for: SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, MnO, TiO₂, P₂O₅, Sr, Zr, Ba in addition to total organic carbon. Mineralogical analyses of these sediments reveals that the presence of low-Mg calcite, dolomite, high Mg calcite, Aragonite, quartz and feldspar as the main constituents of non-clay minerals. Biogenic source were suggested for carbonate minerals except dolomite, whereas detrital source were suggest for other minerals. R-mode factor analysis demonstrates three factors affecting the distribution of the analysed components, they are clay minerals of both river borne sediments and wind-borne dust, the salinity changes from fresh water (Shatt Al-Arab) to saline water (Arabian Gulf), and biogenic activity  besides the decomposition of organic matter.

*  Phd: Abdul – Mutalib Hasson Mohammed Al-Marsoumi

     E-mail: abdmars@yahoo.com