Mineralogy and Radioactivity Studies of Wadi Abu Hamur-Safaga Stream Sediments, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The studied area covered by igneous and metamorphic rocks represented by Metagabbro, Metavolcanic, Older Granite, Dokhan Vo l canics, Hammamat Sediments, and Yo u nger Granite. Faults are essential structural features in the study area. The strike-slip faults of NW trends are right-lateral, while those of E-W, NE, and NNE trends are left-lateral faults. The normal faults are only preserved on a minor scale along these strike-slip faults represented by nearly vertical slicken-sides that indicate substantial vertical displacement. The grain size analysis and its distribution is a fundamental descriptive measure of clastic sediments. The results of statistical parameters a graphic mean (M z) ranging from 0.04φ to 1.8φ, which means that it lies in coarse and medium sand size classes represented by 70% and 30%, respectively; inclusive graphic standard deviation (σ I) ranging from 0.88 to 1.8. The samples could be categorized in the poorly sorted class and moderately sorted represented by 75% and 25%, respectively; inclusive graphic Skewness (Sk I) ranging from 0.03 to 0.33, the samples could be categorized in fine skewed, near symmetrical, and strongly fine skewed classes represented by 55% ,40%, and 5%, respectively. Inclusive graphic Kurtosis (K g) ranging from 0.68 to 2.05, the samples could be categorized in the platykurtic; mesokurtic, very lepto kurtic and lepto kurtic classes represented by 35% , 25% , 15% and 25%, respectively. The average content of total heavy minerals is 4.5% while the heavy content is ranging from 2% and 10.5%. Opaque minerals represented by magnetite, hematite, ilmenite constituents have an average of 1.07 %, 0.1 %, and 0.286%, respectively. Abrasive minerals as garnet constituents has an average of 0.13%, and pigment minerals as rutile and titanite constituents have an average of 0.188%, and 0.23%, respectively. Radioactive minerals as fluorites, zircon, and thorite constituents have an average of 0.0075%, 0.184%, and 0.001 %, respectively. Amphiboles and pyroxene constituents range from 0.1% to 3.78% with an average of 2.22 %. The eU contents range between 1 and 4ppm with an average of 1.76ppm, while eTh is between 2 and 29 ppm with an average of 10.75ppm. The average Ra average content for these sediments is 2.89 ppm, while the average content of K% is 1.16%.