Mineralogy and Diagenesis of Coastal Sabkha Sediments of the Hypersaline Lagoons on the Eastern Coast of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

mineralogy, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Textural characteristics, gross mineralogy and diagenetic history of coastal sabkha sequences were studied in the tidal flats of two coastal lagoons; Shuaiba south of Jeddah and Sharm Al Kharrar northwest of Rabigh. The diagnostic features and mode of formation have also been deduced. A comparison of the gross mineralogy of the two types of sabkhas showed considerable variation in the mineral proportions and the diagenetic alteration of the metastable minerals. The vertical variation of carbonate mineral components through sabkha sequence indicates dolomitization of the aragonitic sediments. Shuaiba sabkha is characterized by carbonate-dominated sediments with high potential dolomitization and evaporate association, while Sharm Al Kharrar sabkha is marked by the abundance of land-derived material affecting the sedimentation regime and transition of it into siliciclastic sabkha. Attapulgite, kaolinite and swelling chlorite are the common clay minerals formed under humid subtropical conditions.