Inland Sabkha Research Articles

Remote sensing of inland Sabkha and a study of the salinity and temporal stability for sustainable development: A case study from the West coast of Qatar

The inland sabkha of the Arabian Gulf is important to study for the occurrence of minerals, rocks, soil salinity, and stability of the sabkha due to the high demand for infrastructure and agriculture development region. This study describes the spectral absorptions of evaporite minerals, discriminates rocks, maps salt crusts, gypsiferous soil flats, and soil salinity, and studies the temporal stability of an inland sabkha of the Dukhan area, west coast of the State of Qatar. This was performed using satellite data of the Hyperion of EO1, ASTER of Terra, and multispectral instrument (MSI) of Sentinel-2. The occurrence of minerals in the area is detected using Hyperion data by the linear spectral unmixing (LSU) method and studied for their spatial distribution. The different geological formations of the sabkha were discriminated by using the VNIR (visible and near-infrared) and SWIR (shortwave infrared) spectral bands from ASTER by principal component analysis (PCA). The image developed by using the principal components (R:PC2, G:PC3, B:PC5) showed the formations in different tones. Salinity of the area was mapped using monthly data of MSI from 2018 to 2020 by normalized difference salinity index (NDSI) (band11-band12)/(band11 + band12). The results of the index displayed the distribution of salinity in the area. Besides, moisture of the area was studied by using the normalized difference moisture index (NDMI) (b8-b11)/(b8 + b11) and described the temporal stability of the sabkha. All the results of image analyses were validated through field and laboratory studies. The study of laboratory spectra of evaporite minerals namely gypsum, anhydrite, and halite present in the salt crusts and gypsiferous soil flats showed their unique spectral absorptions in between 1.4–1.5 μm and 1.9–2.0 μm whereas, the calcite and dolomite minerals of the carbonate formations exhibited deep absorptions near 2.345 and 2.495 μm respectively.

Groundwater and Solute Budget (A Case Study from Sabkha Matti, Saudi Arabia)

Sabkha Matti is the largest inland sabkha (2950 km2) in the Arabian Peninsula. The drainage area supporting this sabkha is >250,000 km2 and is the discharge point for part of the ten thousand meter thick regional groundwater systems ranging in age from Precambrian through Miocene in the Rub’ al Khali structural basin. A hydrologic budget was constructed for this sabkha, where water fluxes were calculated on the basis of hydraulic gradient and conductivities measured in both shallow and deep wells. The evaporation rates from the surface of the sabkha were estimated from the published data and indicate that almost all the annual rainfall is lost by surface evaporation. The water flux multiplied by its solute concentration showed that nearly all the solutes in the sabkha were derived by upward leakage from the underlying regional aquifers rather than the weathering of the aquifer framework, from precipitation, or from other sources. Steady-state estimates within a rectilinear control volume of the sabkha indicate that about 1 m3/year of water enters by lateral groundwater flow, 2 m3/year of water exits by lateral groundwater flow, 20 m3/year enters by upward leakage, 780 m3/year enters by recharge from rainfall, and 780 m3/year is lost by evaporation. The proposed conceptual model of the hydrology for sabkha Matti is assumed to apply to the rest of the inland sabkhas of the Arabia Peninsula and to many ancient environments of deposition observed in the geologic record.

Astronomically forced sequence development of terrestrial massive sand-sheet, inland sabkha and palustrine units, Lower Miocene Hadrukh Formation, eastern Saudi Arabia

The Lower Miocene (lower Aquitanian) Hadrukh Formation (30–65 m thick), Al-Lidam area, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, was cored to examine sequence development within a non-marine siliciclastic-prone coastal plain in a semi-arid distal foreland setting. Facies are dominated by structureless quartz sands (terrestrial sand-sheets/shrub-coppice dunes or nebkhas), along with gypsiferous/calcareous quartz sands and gypsites (inland sabkhas), brecciated and sheet-cracked sandy carbonates/calcareous sands (palustrine), and some coarse lithic-clast quartz sands (fluvial) and associated paleosol-capped red and green-gray mudrock (interfluves). However, they lack the intercalated eolian laminated and cross-bedded sands of this hyper-arid region today, reflecting semi-arid Early Miocene conditions.Spectral analysis of core gamma-ray logs shows astronomical forcing within the eccentricity, obliquity and precessional bands. Tuning indicates the Hadrukh Formation is a composite sequence (~1.3 myr duration) containing three (400 kyr) major sequences and eight minor sequences. Fluvial facies are locally developed at the base and near the top of the composite sequence. Massive sand sheet facies dominate the sequences, and sandy evaporitic facies and palustrine sandy carbonates are best developed in upper parts of sequences but interfinger within short distances with other facies. Subsidence and differential warping caused thickness and facies variation but the succession shows a strong astronomical signal. Astronomical forcing controlled semi-arid vs. more humid phases of deposition, as well as the position of base level, elevation of the ground-water table and presumably density of shrub cover. The three major sequence boundaries developed during 400 kyr eccentricity minima and cooling, while minor sequence boundaries formed during short eccentricity (100 kyr) cooling events.

Origin and signs of disturbance of hyperarid climate wetland ecosystem: case of Chott Ain Beida, Algerian Sahara

Chott Ain Beida is an inland sabkha located in southern Algeria. Close to Ouargla city, it is surrounded by an exploited palm groove. In this study, modern climate of Ouargla region updated, surficial geology determined and geochemistry of its brines studied relative to geogenic factors and anthropogenic stress. Mean temperature increased by 2 °C, and thermal amplitude by 1.5 °C. The surficial lithology consists of eolian sand, evaporites and rich-organic matter clay. It is characterized by a rapid vertical and lateral changes which make some areas isolated and others communicating to drainage network and shallow/deep-water springs. This induced the heterogeneity of brines over the chott. The insulate areas show high total dissolved solids (> 230 g/L), high concentration factor (4 ÷ 8), high ionic strength (> 3), high Cl−/SO42 ratio (> 2.3) and high Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio (> 3), while the communicating areas present lower values of the same parameters. The diluted brines are Na+ + Mg2+_sulfate and have undergone an evaporative concentration geochemical process while the concentrated others are Na+ + Mg2+_chloride and show the cessation of evaporation process. The positive saturation indices reveled the occurrence of vaterite which is confirmed by the results of X-ray powder diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Vaterite formation was possible after the combination of all the necessary reagents, namely presence of calcium, bicarbonate, phosphate, ammonium and carbone dioxide gas. These chemical reagents are provided by organic and mineral pollution. Vaterite formation begins with the presence of ammonium and remains more than 250 h before its transformation to calcite. Its formation sequestered important quantities of carbon dioxide.

Application of Multi-Tracer Methods to Evaluate Nitrate Sources and Transformation in Sabkha Matti (Saudi Arabia)

An unusually high concentration of nitrate (NO3) ranging between 291 and 6790 mg/L (as N) was observed during a review of solute data for brine samples from the inland Sabkha Matti. A multi-tracer approach considering water chemistry, stable nitrate isotopes (δ15N and δ18O), and the radioactive isotope of hydrogen (tritium, 3H) was utilized to evaluate the nitrate sources and transformation in this hydrogeological setting. The results suggested that the source of the high nitrate levels is related to a leakage from a manure/septic system near the proximal eastern edge of the Sabkha. Moreover, the impact of Sabkha’s characteristics on biological denitrifications was evaluated in this study. The results suggest that denitrification was not a major process in Sabkha Matti. Several factors may contribute to the limitation of denitrification on the brine samples including high dissolved oxygen contents, high salinity and chloride.

Microterracettes in Sabkha Oum Dba (Western Sahara, Morocco): Physical and Biological Interactions in the Formation of a Surface Micromorphology.

Small-scale terracing (microterracettes) is a surface geomorphic feature that recurs under a range of environmental settings, such as those existing in high to low temperature geothermal springs and evaporitic environments, through the single or combined action of physicochemical agents and microbiological processes. Such morphology can also be observed in a confined sector of the Sabkha Oum Dba, which is an inland sabkha of the Western Sahara (Morocco), where field and laboratory investigations revealed that they primarily depend on the accumulation of naviculoid diatoms. Through their biofilm production ability, these benthic diatoms are able to stabilize surface morphologies and make organic alveolar frameworks where the precipitation of low Mg calcite occurs in areas subjected to active oxygenic photosynthesis. Because microterracettes arise in a specific set of environmental conditions, they have environmental significance and, thanks to a high fossilization potential due to mineral precipitation, they can be an effective source of biomorphological and chemical evidence for life. The relationship with aqueous environments, considered to be widespread on Mars especially during a period of intense hydrologic activity as in the late Noachian and Hesperian periods, make the understanding of surficial processes useful (such as the formation of microterracettes) whose formation is frequent in terrestrial analogues for martian environments, such as ephemeral saline continental lakes (sabkhas) and related to the products of bacterial and eukaryotic life, as in the case of biofilms, in search for similar life forms beyond Earth.

Control of world Albedo by massive salt leaching using the ancient purpose engineered Qanat-Kariz-Falaj technology to control fractional coverage of crystalline white salt precipitation over vast areas of existing endorheic basins.

Huge desert endorheic basins with very substantial areas of flat evaporation pans were once in operation specifically for the precipitation of white crystalline sodium chloride. Maintaining a thin white crust layer of salt during critical hot seasons of the year over these huge areas would increase the world albedo to enable precise control of the total short/long wave reflection, in addition to the high albedo of the polar regions. The surface crust of an inland Sabkha basin typically is made up of layers of salts that have re-crystallized and settled or precipitated during the evaporation process of controlled Qanat system flood waters. Leached Salts dissolve quickly in a desert endorheic basin, and over a short intensely hot period, the process of re-crystallizing the salts can produce purer and more concentrated, layered playa cakes. The dissolved salts leached out of the underlying layers in the vast desert basin flats, are intermittently precipitated back on to the basin surface, predominantly sodium chloride crystals, one after the other leaving the familiar brilliant white salar playa. The original ancient engineered design of the Qanat and its multiple aligned bore-holes was to control desert endorheic basin flooding without destroying the salt mirror playa or causing erosion of the flat evaporation fields. The Qanat was primarily needed to extract salt, rather than for simple irrigation. Additionally considerable quantities of subsoil brines existing in such basin water tables would ensure brine supplies, as is demonstrated by the new potash plants in the Tarim basin using the ancient Qanat technology. The grain size of white sodium chloride crystals may be controlled in a similar way to the fine Polar snow crystals which also provide an improved albedo index. By adding 2-Naphtol green accelerator to the brine, the accepted procedure in the salt industry, analternative switch could reduce the albedo and thus increase warming instead of cooling.

Gypsum stromatolites from Sawda Nathil: relicts from a southern coastline of Qatar

Sawda Nathil is one of a series of inland depressions (inland sabkhas and salinas) that extend nearly continuously along the Southern Qatar border with Saudi Arabia. Six to eight thousand years ago, these depressions were marine embayments that separated the peninsula of Qatar from the mainland. These embayments in-filled rapidly with marine sediments and dune sands, blown southeastward across Qatar. Over time, they have become progressively more evaporitic. Inland depressions like Sawda Nathil host a set of unique environments within Qatar. Most depressions are close to or below sea level, bringing water near the surface in the driest parts of Qatar. Evaporation to salt saturation creates thick gypsum and halite crusts (sabkhas), as well as shallow hypersaline lakes/ponds (salinas) with spectacular domal microbial gypsum stromatolites. The present ground surface is a mosaic of relict marine facies, deflated dune sands, and inland sabkhas and salinas. Sediment of four short push cores was photographed, described, and sampled for petrographic thin-section and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Radiocarbon (AMS) as well as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age-dating were carried out on three samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), carried out on samples from a gypsum stromatolite, was used to resolve the microbial-influence on gypsum precipitation. Radiocarbon dating of marine shells provides ages of approximately 6600 un-calibrated 14C years before present (year BP), coinciding with a well-documented sea-level highstand, approximately 2–4 m higher than present. During that time, Qatar was mostly an island, only connected in the south to the Arabian Peninsula by narrow land bridges (isthmuses). SEM examinations of gypsum stromatolites show gypsum crystals developing in close spatial association with microbial biofilms (filamentous structures). Whether this is purely a passive microbial-influenced gypsum mineralization process or an example where microorganisms actively control the gypsum crystal morphology to obtain ecological advantages, remains to be evaluated.

Permian paleogeography of west-central Pangea: Reconstruction using sabkha-type gypsum-bearing deposits of Parnaíba Basin, Northern Brazil

Extreme aridity during Late Permian – Early Triassic period was the main factor for resetting the entire paleoclimate of the planet. Permian evaporite basins and lacustrine red beds were widely distributed along the supercontinent of Pangea. Sulphate deposits in Western Pangea, particularly in Northern Brazil, accumulated in an extensive playa lake system. Outcrop-based facies and stratigraphic analysis of up to 20m thick evaporite-siliciclastic deposits reveal the predominance of laminated reddish mudstone with subordinate limestone, marl and lenses of gypsum. The succession was deposited in shallow lacustrine and inland sabkha environments associated with saline pans and mudflats. Gypsum deposits comprise six lithofacies: 1) bottom-growth gypsum, 2) nodular/micronodular gypsum, 3) mosaic gypsum, 4) fibrous/prismatic gypsum, 5) alabastrine gypsum, and 6) rosettes of gypsum. Gypsum types 1 and 2 are interpreted as primary deposition in saline pans. Bottom-growth gypsum forms grass-like crusts while nodular/micronodular gypsum indicates displacive precipitation of the crust in shallow water and the groundwater capillary zone. Types 3 and 4 are early diagenetic precipitates. Abundant inclusions of tiny lath-like anhydrite crystals suggest a primary origin of anhydrite. Alabastrine gypsum, fibrous gypsum (satinspar) and rosettes of gypsum probably derived from near-surface hydration of anhydrite. The gypsum-bearing deposits in the Parnaíba Basin contribute towards understanding paleogeographic changes in Western Pangea. A progressive uplift of East Pangea, culminated in the forced regression and retreat of epicontinental seas to the West. Restricted seas or large lakes were formed before the definitive onset of desert conditions in Pangea, leading to the development of extensive ergs.

Gypsum Crystals Formation and Habits, Dukhan Sabkha, Qatar

This is the first study of the gypsum crystals habits in the famous, large, inland Dukhan Sabkha in the Qatar Peninsula. The study seeks to identify the various habits and vertical and horizontal distribution of the crystals in the sediments of the Sabkha. Forty four sediment samples rich in crystals, six shallow cores and twenty two brine samples were collected for the study. The factors that affected the crystals formation and shape are discussed in the study.Crystal formation speed and the reasons for the increase or decrease the growth rate identified. Gypsum crystals of various habits and sizes are formed in the surface crust and at shallow depths in the Sabkha sediments. The crystals are of acicular, prismatic, lenticular and sub-lenticular, inter-grown sub-lenticular, pyramidal,elliptical and semi-elliptical and pseudo-tetragonal shapes.The proportion and habits of fine gypsum crystals in the Sabkha is large. Lenticular and Sub-lenticular crystals are dominant in the sediments, especially in the northeastern part of the Sabkha.The proportion of sandy desert rose crystals (about 5 cm length) is rare and only found in the northeastern part of the Sabkha, to the west from the salt lake area; the crystals formed above groundwater level and at shallow depth, few centimeters from the surface.Shallow groundwater level, saturated of sediments by brines, high temperature, high evaporation and saturated of brines by SO4 -2 and CaO3 2- are provide suitable condition for formation of gypsum crystals in the Dukhan Sabkha sediments. In addition, the general elevation of Dukhan Sabkha below sea level (-1) is lead to greater rates of evaporation over groundwater recharge in the Sabkha. The crystals are formed either as a result of evaporation of sewage brines within the Sabkha or as a result of dissolved previous gypsum in the rocks bed within the Sabkha and re- concentrated SO4-2 and Ca2+ in the Sabkha brines. In some locations, where anhydrite dominant, gypsum crystals could also formed as a result of anhydrite dehydration. The main conclusion of this study are: (1) The conditions for formation of gypsum in the Dukhan Sabkha are available and accordingly various shapes of gypsum crystals formed in the surface and at various depths in the Sabkha deposits; (2) This Sabkha is suitable place for establishing a project for cultivation of this important mineral and exploiting it economically; and (3) This work can be used as model for the study and utilization of the inland Sabkha in Qatar and neighboring countries.

Plant life in the Umm as Samim, Oman – A case study in a major inland sabkha

The Umm as Samim is a vast salt flat of central Oman, in which many wadis which flow south-westwards from the central sector of the northern mountains converge. Most of the area is devoid of vegetation due to extraordinary salinity (sabkha). Significant plant growth is possible chiefly on miniature dunes, called nabkhas, which enable the plants to prosper in an otherwise harsh environment.The site conditions are depicted by mapping of miniature dunes and vegetation, accompanied by an account of morphometric parameters, i.e. height of nabkha, height of plant growth, and status of plant life. Within the chosen sample plot, 12.3% of the sabkha is covered by nabkhas. The total plant cover amounts to 5.0%, but only 3.1% of it is alive, while 2.0% is dead or lifeless.Two nabkhas were longitudinally excavated to examine the salinity of soil samples in relation to dune structure and root and shoot system position. The salinity analysis was done via electrical conductivity (EC1:5 extract). Extremely high EC values were found on current or former sabkha surfaces and on the periphery of nabkhas, whereas central nabkha parts and bottom soil offer more favourable salinity values for plant and root growth.

Characterization of Sabkha Jayb Uwayyid, eastern Saudi Arabia using seismic refraction profiling

Sabkhas are dominant geomorphic features in eastern Saudi Arabia and are of geologic and economic significance. Seismic refraction method was used in the inland sabkha of Jayb Uwayyid to depict its general stratigraphy and determine velocities and thicknesses of the sabkha’s uppermost layers and the water table depth. Data were acquired using a reversed-refraction profile consisting of 48 receivers spaced at 5 m. Data processing included amplitude gain, band-pass filtering, and manual picking of first and second arrivals. Interpretation of the data shows three main layers. The first layer is a sandy layer having an average velocity and thickness of 600 m/s and 15 m, respectively. The second layer has an average velocity and thickness of 2,300 m/s and 113 m, respectively. The third layer has an average velocity of 3,850 m/s. The topmost part of the first layer is composed of a dry to partially saturated clean sand underlain by fully saturated clean sand. However, arrivals from the interface between the partially saturated and fully saturated sands were not recognizable in any shot record, which might be due to the gradual increase of saturation with depth. Arrivals from the second layer were always recognizable on all shot records as first arrivals. On the other hand, arrivals from the third layer were not recognizable on any shot record as first arrivals probably due to the limited extent of the profile relative to the depth of the third layer. Therefore, the velocity of the third layer was calculated by manually picking the second head wave arrival.

Holocene sabkha and coastal systems of Qatar: models for the interpretation of ancient Arabian plate carbonate evaporite reservoirs and coastal management

Abstract Facies tracts, sediment types, stacking patterns, and diagenetic histories of Holocene sabkhas of Qatar provide compelling analogues for the interpretation of ancient, carbonate-evaporite sequences of the Arabian Plate. The use of modern analogues to aid in the interpretation of geological and engineering data is well established in the petroleum industry. Comparison of sabkhas from different physiographic regions of Qatar that formed during the latest Holocene cycle of sea level rises reveals new insights into the characterization of ancient rocks. These observations provide the basis for a revision of the definition of facies tracts described in the geological literature as sabkhas. This study reports on a country-wide study of the sedimentation history of coastal areas, based on extensive field mapping, geotechnical studies, age dating and geochemistry. Data is integrated in ArcGIS, a relational database. The results are equally valuable in conservation, environmental and geotechnical studies and archaeological research and teaching. Coastal areas of Qatar are marked by extremely low relief, with the result that high-frequency oscillations in sea level create offsets in facies tracts. Age dating reveals that inland sabkhas are relicts of a high stand in sea level approximately 4000-6000 years ago. These areas are presently subaerially exposed and eroding. Extensive pedogenic modification of marine sediments (burrowing, infiltration, micrite precipitation) creates characteristic textures. Groundwater modification includes extensive precipitation of CaSO4, halite,lime micrite, and dolomite. The variability observed in Qatar sabkhas alters the way in which a common modern analogue is applied to the interpretation of subsurface data. These observations warrant revision of the definition of a sabkha. We propose that sabkhas are normal, coastal sediments, modified by near-surface groundwater saturated in CaSO4. A sabkha is a diagenetic overprint, not a depositional system. This proposed model helps aid in recognition of ancient sabkhas.

Raman spectroscopy of the Dukhan sabkha: identification of geological and biogeological molecules in an extreme environment

The characterization of minerals and biogeological deposits in a terrestrial Arabian sabkha has a direct relevance for the exploration of Mars since the discovery by the NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity of evaporate minerals on Mars that could have arisen from aquifers and subsurface water movement. The recognition of carbonates and sulphates in Gusev Crater has afforded an additional impetus to these studies, as relict or extant microbial extremophilic organisms could have colonized these geological matrices, as has been recorded on Earth. Here, we describe the Raman spectroscopic analysis of specimens of evaporitic materials sampled from the Dukhan sabkha, the largest inland sabkha in the Persian Gulf. With daily temperatures reaching in excess of 60 degrees C and extreme salinity, we have identified the characteristic Raman signatures of key biomolecular compounds in association with evaporitic minerals and geological carbonate and sulphate matrices, which indicate that extremophilic cyanobacterial colonies are existent there. This evidence, the first to be acquired spectroscopically from such a region, establishes a platform for further studies using remote, portable Raman instrumentation that will inform the potential of detection of similar systems on the Martian surface or subsurface in future space missions. A comparison is made between the results from this study and the previous analysis of a gypsum/halite sabkha where the extremophilic molecular signatures were better preserved.

Soil, Water Chemistry and Sedimentological Studies of Al Asfar Evaporation Lake and its Inland Sabkha, Al Hassa Area, Saudi Arabia

Soil, Water Chemistry and Sedimentological Studies of Al Asfar Evaporation Lake and its Inland Sabkha, Al Hassa Area, Saudi Arabia

Hydrogeochemical Processes and Isotopic Characteristics of Inland Sabkha, Saudi Arabia

Hydrogeochemical Processes and Isotopic Characteristics of Inland Sabkha, Saudi Arabia

Hydrogeochemical Processes and Isotopic Characteristics of Inland Sabkha, Saudi Arabia*

Hydrogeochemical Processes and Isotopic Characteristics of Inland Sabkha, Saudi Arabia*

Soil, Water Chemistry and Sedimentological Studies of Al Asfar Evaporation Lake and its Inland Sabkha, Al Hassa Area, Saudi Arabia

Soil, Water Chemistry and Sedimentological Studies of Al Asfar Evaporation Lake and its Inland Sabkha, Al Hassa Area, Saudi Arabia

Hydrogeochemical Processes and Isotopic Characteristics of Inland Sabkha, Saudi Arabia

Hydrogeochemical Processes and Isotopic Characteristics of Inland Sabkha, Saudi Arabia

Sedimentology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Al-Awshaziyah Inland Sabkha, Central Saudi Arabia

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a rising demand of municipal, agricultural and industrial sectors require better utilization of surface and groundwater resources. Some of the wadi and low depressions in the central Saudi Arabia are covered with salt (Inland sabkha). It is also suspected that the aquifers below receive substantial amounts of recharge from the above ground salt flat. It is, therefore, important to investigate the mineralogy and geochemistry of these salt-flats to determine their impact on groundwater chemistry. Al-Awshaziyah inland sabkha is a saline dry/wet land with an area of 18 km2 in the central Saudi Arabia. The study area was divided into six transverses beginning at a permanent marker. The distance of different profiles ranged between 200–300 m. Soil, groundwater and well water samples were collected for physical and chemical composition. Additionally, different soil and salt facies were measured in each profile. Three sedimentary facies, viz., silty sand; black mud, and salt facies (from bottom to top) had been delineated. The mineralogy by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) for silty-sand facies composed of quartz (25–74%), halite (11–16%), dolomite (5–27%), calcite (4–21%), and gypsum (4–8%); black mud facies composed of quartz (14–16%), halite (25–33%), dolomite (18–25%), calcite (20–25%) and gypsum (8–11%); and salt facies is dominated only by halite (100%). The delineated facies led to highlight the depositional environment; mineralogy and geochemistry were studied. The elemental concentrations of CaO, MgO, K2O, Na2O, Al2O3, and SiO2 have been analyzed in order to understand the element behavior of each delineated sedimentary facie of sabkha basin. The geochemistry data reveals that SiO2 increases with the depth and CaO, MgO, Al2O3, and K2O behave in the reverse with the depth of sabkha sediments. The geochemical data has good correlation with the mineralogy of the same profile. Thus, the relationship has been established for the evolution of sabkha basin on the basis of sedimentary facies, mineralogy, and geochemistry.