Abstract
This research uses analyses from Nile catchment rivers, wadis, dunes and bedrocks to constrain the geological history of NE Africa and document influences on the composition of sediment reaching the Nile delta. Our data show evolution of the North African crust, highlighting phases in the development of the Arabian–Nubian Shield and amalgamation of Gondwana in Neoproterozoic times. The Saharan Metacraton and Congo Craton in Uganda have a common history of crustal growth, with new crust formation at 3.0 – 3.5 Ga, and crustal melting at c. 2.7 Ga. The Hammamat Formation of the Arabian–Nubian Shield is locally derived and has a maximum depositional age of 635 Ma. By contrast, Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks are derived from more distant sources. The fine-grained (mud) bulk signature of the modern Nile is dominated by input from the Ethiopian Highlands, transported by the Blue Nile and Atbara rivers. Detrital zircons in the Nile trunk are predominantly derived from Phanerozoic cover rocks. Most detritus from the upstream White Nile is trapped in the Sudd marshes and contributes little to the Nile trunk. Therefore, the White Nile downstream is dominated by locally derived Phanerozoic cover. The White Nile proximal to the Gezira Fan is influenced by the fan's Blue Nile signature. Supplementary material : Sample information, analytical methods and data tables are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3569490
Highlights
ObjectivesOur aims are to gain a broad overview of the geological evolution of NE Africa, and to constrain the influences on sediment composition to the Nile River and the Nile delta cone, an important depocentre for hydrocarbon reservoirs
We report data for sand and mud samples from the Nile trunk, and its tributaries the Blue Nile, White Nile and Atbara, together with samples from dry wadis and aeolian dunes from the Red Sea Hills and Western Desert, which represent possible sources of detritus to the river (Fig. 1)
More than 50% of the Saharan Metacraton is overlain by Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks and desert sands (Abdelsalam et al 2011)
Summary
Our aims are to gain a broad overview of the geological evolution of NE Africa, and to constrain the influences on sediment composition to the Nile River and the Nile delta cone, an important depocentre for hydrocarbon reservoirs
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