Sand Mineralogy as a Criterion for Soil Uniformity North West Wadi El-Natrun

Bahnasawy, Nabil Mohamed

doi:10.21608/ejss.2017.1522

Sand Mineralogy as a Criterion for Soil Uniformity North West Wadi El-Natrun

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Nabil Mohamed Bahnasawy

Egypt

10.21608/ejss.2017.1522

Abstract

FIVE soil profiles were selected to represent the two major soil …….taxonomic subgroups (LCCM and LECN) NW Wadi El-Natrun. The sand subfraction (0.125-0.063mm) of those soils were reseparated into light and heavy minerals (opaques and non-opaques).

The obtained results reveal that light minerals are mainly composed of quartz followed by low amounts of feldspars. Plagioclase and /or microcline predominates in both soils. Moreover, orthoclase is commonly the least abundant in the LCCM.

Regarding heavy minerals, opaques are the predominant content is. In both soil subgroups, opaques are dominated by oxides followed by sulphides while hydroxides are the least. In the non-opaques, amphiboles exceed pyroxenes, Parametamorphic, ubibutous, epidotes minerals in a descending order in the LCCM while the converse is true in the LECN.

The frequency and depthwise distributions of each identified mineral are presented for each profile and soil subgroups are interpreted in a trial to distinguish between those soil subgroups.

Based on the ratios between heavy minerals and weathering ratios, the soil origin, genesis and formation are predicted and graphical triangular presentation for opaque and non-opaque minerals suggested the possible use of pyroboles, epidote, and parametamorphic relation for soils differentia.

Keywords