Nanosize inclusions as a fingerprint for aeolian sediments

Abstract

Backscattered electron microscopy was used to analyze the inclusions within twelve different samples from dunes (Recent) and the Dibdiba Formation (Miocene to Pleistocene) sediments. The twelve aeolian samples were collected from a line transect across the main wind corridor, representing the downwind, mid, and upwind areas (three in each set). All examined samples are noted in the major elements within minerals. The most dominant elements detected elements within aeolian samples are iron, aluminum, calcium, and zirconium, respectively. On the other hand, some differences were observed. Generally, lower inclusion counts were noted within quartz and feldspars in the downwind samples in comparison with other samples. The aluminum percentages gradually increase upwind. The mid-area samples show more sodium compared with up and downwind. The average percentages of detected barium within inclusions in quartz and feldspar particles show gradual increases downwind. The Dibdiba Formation samples show uniformity between major elements in all samples. The variations between samples are very limited. Titanium, for example, through natural solubility in smectite is concentrated in cracks, fractures, or borders of quartz particles to form rutile (TiO2) with needle-like or lath-like crystals. The military tanks and missiles that were used in Kuwait Liberation War (1990–1991) are believed to be the main source of titanium that forms inside particle cavities, cracks, and borders. Furthermore, no further changes were noticed during the comparison between the barium inclusions within quartz that are found in both the Dibdiba Formation (4.7%) and the aeolian (4.8%) samples. Other elements show nearly the same trend of similarities during the comparison between samples.