Depositional environment of phosphorites in a semiarid climate region, case of El Kouif area (Algerian–Tunisian border)

Boulemia, Salim; Hadji, Riheb; Hamimed, Messaoud

doi:10.1007/s13146-021-00719-4

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The phosphatic ooids within the pellets sometimes contained multiple cores, and these cores were also coated ooids. Some pellets showed a relict structure of organic material and consisted of apatite, commonly referred to as "collophane" (Boulemia et al 2021). Apart from the presence of pellets, the samples also contained coprolites, which are fossilized excrement particles.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phosphorites are predominantly composed of apatite minerals, which consist of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca). Additionally, a significant amount of calcium is present in the form of carbonates such as calcite and dolomite (Boulemia et al 2021). The CO 2 content ranged from 10.7 wt% to 12.60 wt%.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is often associated only with apatite (hydroxylapatite, francolite, fluorapatite, and dahllite) and sometimes silica content in the chemical analysis is attributed to the presence of biogenic quartz and partial or complete silicification (chert) of certain layers (Boulemia et al 2021). The concentrations of K 2 O, Na 2 O, Al 2 O 3 , and Fe 2 O 3 were relatively low.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phosphorus (P) is an indispensable component of all living organisms, including plants and animals (Crosby, Bailey 2012). Due to their significance as agricultural fertilizers, phosphate minerals are widely utilized, thereby making their exploration, exploitation, and processing highly valuable (Barra et al 2019;Boulemia et al 2021). Sedimentary phosphates, which possess high concentrations of phosphorus, represent the most crucial mineable phosphate ores globally (Yi et al 2013;Buccione et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geological and Mineralogical Analysis of Phosphorites in the Jebel Dhyr Syncline, Eastern Algerian Atlas

Boulemia,

Hadji,

Bouhlal

et al. 2023

Mineralogia

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The characterization of phosphorite features within specific North African sedimentary series remains incomplete. Hence, the primary aim of this research is to determine the composition of powder patterns and phosphatic allochem fragments within the Jebel Dhyr syncline, situated in northeastern Algeria. By focusing on this region, the study endeavors to investigate the mineralogical properties and geochemical aspects of Paleocene-Eocene phosphorites in the broader context of North Africa. The methodology employed encompasses geological, petrographic, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses of the rocks. To achieve this objective, we have employed various techniques including thin section analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The geological section across the Jebel Dhyr area has revealed a succession of horizontally layered rocks. These rocks consist of eight prominent phosphorite layers interspersed with carbonate formations. Additionally, occasional thin layers of flint can be observed within these carbonate layers. XRD analysis of the whole rock established the presence of apatite group minerals such as hydroxylapatite, fluroapatite, francolite, and dahllite. Other minerals identified include carbonates, quartz, zeolites, feldspar, clays, sulphides, and gypsum. XRD recordings on the phosphatic allochem grains (pellets, coprolites, intraclasts, and shark teeth) identified different mineral phases, with coprolites and pellets showing hydroxylapatite and fluorapatite, sometimes associated with dahllite, while granules of different forms revealed hydroxylapatite associated with fluorapatite or francolite. Teeth from the Jebel Dhyr phosphate beam showed the systematic presence of fluorapatite. This study provides valuable information for the comprehensive utilization of phosphorus resources in the Algeria-Tunisia border.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geological and Mineralogical Analysis of Phosphorites in the Jebel Dhyr Syncline, Eastern Algerian Atlas

Boulemia,

Hadji,

Bouhlal

et al. 2023

Mineralogia

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“…That's why the nearest dam (Aïn Dalia) from the sources of the natural diapiric radioactivity (salt, clay, sandstones…) from the Algerian Atlas is very enriched by this natural diapiric and metamorphic radioactivities. The decrease of the radioactivity rate from the Algerian territory to the Tunisian territory is due to the process of dispersion of the sediments (contact air/ water/rock interactions) in many effluents of the drainage network of Mallègue-Majerda basin (Tuniso-Algerian transboundary basin) [14,15].…”

Section: Spatial Distribution Of the Radioactivity In The Damsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Natural Radioactivity (Uranium, Thorium and Potassium) and Toxic Heavy Metals Contents in Water and Sediments from North Africa Dams (Algeria and Tunisia): Geochemical Behavior and Environmental Implications

Hamed,

Ayadi,

Hadji

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Natural radioactivity of 238U, 232Th and 40K for water and sediment samples collected from Sidi Salem dam (Tunisia) and Aïn Dalia dam (Algeria) were measured using TERRA detector of rays (gamma, beta, and alpha), Gamma-ray spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to analyze the levels of radionuclides and heavy metals, respectively. Heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd) and associated health risks in surface water and sediment of dams have been investigated in this study. The mean activity concentrations in the water samples were 1.72±0.01, 0.068±0.01 and 94.6±1.04 Bql-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively (Tunisia dam) and were 1.9± 0.24, 0.09±0.01 and 131.43±1.03 Bql-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively (Algeria dam). The mean activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K measured in the sediment samples were 2.67±0.01, 0.18±0.012 and 197.87±2.01 Bqkg-1 respectively (Tunisian dam) and were 4.34±0.05, 0.27±0.05 and 287.61±3.34 Bqkg-1 respectively (Algeria dam). The activity concentration of 40K was higher than that of 238U and 232Th for the water and sediment samples. The mean activity concentrations follow the order 40K &gt; 238U &gt; 232Th. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals decreased in this order Fe &gt; Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Ni &gt; Cr &gt; Cu &gt; Cd. All measured activity concentrations and estimated radiological parameters were below world permissible limit values. Therefore, there may be no serious immediate radiological health burden on the environment and the people using the damage.

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Phosphate Deposits in North Africa: An Overview of Algerian-Tunisian Deposits, Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments

Kechiched,

Sinisi,

Kocsis

et al. 2024

Regional Geology Reviews

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Depositional environment of phosphorites in a semiarid climate region, case of El Kouif area (Algerian–Tunisian border)

Cited by 15 publications

References 42 publications

Geological and Mineralogical Analysis of Phosphorites in the Jebel Dhyr Syncline, Eastern Algerian Atlas

Geological and Mineralogical Analysis of Phosphorites in the Jebel Dhyr Syncline, Eastern Algerian Atlas

Impact of Natural Radioactivity (Uranium, Thorium and Potassium) and Toxic Heavy Metals Contents in Water and Sediments from North Africa Dams (Algeria and Tunisia): Geochemical Behavior and Environmental Implications

Phosphate Deposits in North Africa: An Overview of Algerian-Tunisian Deposits, Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments

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