Sedimentological and environmental aspects of subsurface Basrah sediments-south Iraq

Abstract

Twelve core samples were collected from 8, 10, 15, 21, 24.5 and 30 m depth from two holes in Basrah city. Textural analysis showed that the sediments of the first hole (Al-Ashar area) were siltyclay in nature at depth 8m , followed by clayeysilt at 10-21m (Saad square), whereas sand sediments were found at depths 24.5 to 30m. The statistical parameters of grain size analysis of the sediments of each hole indicated that the sediments at depth 8-21m were deposited under low energy environment. On the other hand the sediments at depth 24.5-30m were deposited under high-energy environments. The identified heavy minerals in the present study could be categorized into four groups; mica group, un-stable, ultra stable and meta-stable group minerals.