Sedimentology and mineralogy of Kuwait Bay bottom sediments, Kuwait—Arabian Gulf

Abstract

Textural and mineralogical properties of the Recent bottom sediments of Kuwait Bay, northern Arabian Gulf, were investigated. Six sediment types were identified, namely silty clay, clayey silt, sandy mud, silt, muddy sand and sand. It was found that most of the northern shelf and the central channel of the Bay are covered with muddy sediments, while sand and sandy deposits are restricted only to the southern offshore area of the bay. Based on the textural characteristics of its sediments, Kuwait Bay environment was divided into two energy zones: (a) low-energy zone, including most of the bay area; and (b) a moderate-energy zone, restricted to the southern offshore area of the bay. The detailed mineralogical investigation of the various size classes of Kuwait Bay sediments revealed that they are of polygenetic origin. Two main sources of the bay sediments were recognized, namely: (a) autochtonous materials which are derived from the degradation of recent shells of various fauna, erosion of the submerged ancient sediments and sub-Recent coastal sediments; and (b) allochtonous materials, which are derived from the onshore desert sediments by the action of the prevailing NW winds. It was also concluded that fallout from dust storms, contributes considerably to the sediment budget of the bay.