Mineralogy of the continental shelf sediments of Abu-Quir Bay Northern Coast of Egypt

Abstract

This paper deals with the mineralogy of the continental shelf sediments of Abu-Quir Bay, N Coast of Egypt. The three dimentional distributions (normal to the shore line, in the breaker and offshore zones and along profiles E-W0 of different material individuals for twelve profiles were discussed. The patternal distribution of the recorded minerals along the bay was controlled by selective transport of the sediments by the E-W littoral current. A general trend for the decrease of the heaviest minerals from the source area (Rosetta Mouth) was observed. The opaques, garnet, zircon and epidote are concentrated in the breaker zone sediments, while the other (pyroxens and mica) are concentrated in the offshore zone sediments. Considerable amounts of opaques, amphiboles, monazite, garnet, staurolite and tourmaline were concentrated near Maadia Outlet, this is most probably attributed to the subsurface old sediments of Canopic Branch. Correlation between the present work (1978–1979) and other mineralogical work during (1971–1973), Rashed 1978) was attemptted.