Comparison Study on Sedimentomorphological Characteristics Using Integrated Geo-Techniques: A Case Study of Two Representative Areas in Kuwait

Abstract

Intensive aeolian processes occur due to the scarcity of rainfall and lack of vegetation cover in arid regions. The study of recent surface sediments in arid areas is important for environmental assessments, evaluation of natural resources, and land use planning. In this study, two areas were chosen as they show changes in lithology, environment and landforms. The two study areas are Al-Rawdatain in the northern part, and Al-Managish in the southern part of Kuwait. The current study aims to define the sedimentomorphic zones in these areas, with an emphasis on Quaternary geomorphological evolution by providing an integrated approach based on satellite images, topographic maps, field measurements, and laboratory analysis. Remote sensing data were spatially analyzed to classify and detect the temporal changes in the surface sediments and geomorphology based on the field measurements (n = 42) as ground truthing points for supervising the classification. Samples from both areas were collected and subjected to grain size (dry mechanical sieving) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The resulting data were statistically analyzed for grain size distributions and mineralogy based on the US standard set of sieves. The study found that the Aeolian sand sheet deposits are the most frequent recent surface deposits in Kuwait and cover most of the other sediments. The direction of movement of the sand sheets is from NW towards SE. The mineralogical composition of the aeolian recent surface sediments revealed that they are mostly derived from the Dibdibba Formation and Tigris-Euphrates fluvial terrace deposits. Quartz is the most frequent component of the studied surface sediments in the study areas (66%). The calcite mineral is also found in subordinate amounts in the study areas (10%).