Hydrogeological studies on the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The current study aimed to evaluate hydrogeologically the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis. It represents the main water-bearing horizon in the study area and consists of continental elastic sediments, mainly sandstone alternating with shale and clays. The general flow lines are directed from SW to NE direction, as detected from the constructed potentiometric head contour map. The piezometric surface reaches 149 m in El-Heiz area at the southern part, while it reaches 90 m at the northern, reflecting higher pressure head of the aquifer in the southern part. The map also illustrates that the southern part is considered as the most promising location for development. The structural elements play an important role in the deposition and distribution of the sedimentary succession of the Nubian sandstone sediments. Consequently, this sedimentary pattern affects the occurrences and movements of the groundwater within the aquifer system. Along the structurally high areas, in the study area, the piezometric head increases, while the reverse is recorded along the structurally low areas. The step-drawdown tests data were carried out by calculating the aquifer loss coefficient (B) and the well loss constant (C). The B values are smaller compared with C values, indicating that the aquifer under pressure has a behavior of leaky aquifer; therefore, it shows hydraulic connection with surrounding formation. The values of well efficiency range from 78.50% to 87.76%. Analysis of 12 pumping test data (constant discharge tests) was carried out in order to calculate the Nubian aquifer hydraulic parameters (transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and storage coefficient). The transmissivity values decrease from 3,045 m²/day in the southern part (El-Heiz area) to 236 m²/day in the northeastern part (El-Harra area). Accordingly, the aquifer classified as a high to moderate potentiality. Transmissivity contour map observes gradual increase of transmissivity values from the southern to northeastern direction. This may be due to the increase of shale or clay content in the concerned aquifer in that direction. The storage coefficient values range between 1.04 × 10^?4 and 5.22 × 10^?3, as obtained from the results of pumping test analysis, which ensure that the Nubian sandstone aquifer is classified as semi-confined to confined aquifer type. The S values show a decrease from southwest to northeast direction as detected from S-map. The hydraulic conductivity values vary from to 0.46 m/day in the northern part to 10.88 m/day in the southern part with an average of 5.67 m/day. According to the classification based on K values, the aquifer is mainly composed of coarse sand.     

Hydrogeological conditions and aquifers potentiality for sustainable development of the desert areas in Wadi Qena,Eastern Desert,Egypt

To increase the potentiality of development and land reclamation activities, the Egyptian government funds the construction of a new desert road in Upper Egypt. This road connects Upper Egypt with the Red Sea Governorate. Surrounding the road is 207,000 acres of land surface which is almost flat and suitable for reclamation. To ensure the sustainability of the proposed development surrounding the road, analyses of the morphometric parameters, infiltration test and the grain size distribution, geoelectrical and hydrogeological investigations were conducted in the area. The results indicated a possibility of flash flood hazards and poor drainage condition for land reclamation activities is expected. The hydrogeological and geoelectrical investigations revealed that the unconfined Quaternary and confined Nubian Sandstone aquifers are the main aquifers in the area. The depths to water in the two aquifers range from 18 to 36 and 80 to 300 m with an average thickness of 40 and 275 m, respectively. The aquifers are made of sands and silt with clay intercalations. The total dissolved solids of water ranges between 1,700 and 5,400 mg/L, whereas the sodium absorption ratio ranges between 7 and 30 meq/L, indicating the suitability of water for irrigating medium- to high-salt-tolerant crops with proper drainage facilities. Thus, water in this area is not suitable for domestic use. Based on hydrogeological equations, the available water for extraction from the aquifers in the area is about 17.195?×?10⁹ m³, and this volume is not feasible to reclaim the whole proposed area for reclamation. Meanwhile, it may be possible to water small farms (not more than 60,000 acres for 50 years). Surface water source should be considered for the sustainability development of the area.     

Groundwater potential for irrigation in the East Oweinat area,Western Desert Egypt

The Nubia Sandstone aquifer system is one of the most extensive groundwater systems in North Africa, covering an area of about 2,000,000 km², including parts of Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Chad. In the Western Desert of Egypt, the Nubian formation has a thermal gradient of 1.1–5°C 100 m^–1 with the exception of the East Oweinat area, located in the southern part of the Western Desert. This is the only part of this huge system where ground-water occurs under unconfmed conditions in an area where the Nubian sandstone crops out and is underlain by shallow basement rocks; in this area groundwater has no thermal characteristics. The aquifer system in the East Oweinat area attains a relatively high hydraulic conductivity. The direction of groundwater flow is generally northeastwards but is distorted at faults and fracture zones. Chemical analyses of groundwater in the area indicate a low salt content and suitability for irrigation purposes. As the estimated recharge to the area is low compared with the foreseen irrigation water requirement, the development of groundwater in the East Oweinat should be based on groundwater mining. Although the evaluation of the groundwater resources in East Oweinat has indicated that groundwater can be extracted at a rate of 4.7×10⁶ m³ d^–1, the long-term economics of extraction that can sustain large-scale development projects has to be assessed.     

Hydrogeological aspects and environmental concerns of the New Valley Project,Western Desert,Egypt, with special emphasis on the southern area

The New Valley Project has been given much attention in the past 20 years especially from the hydrogeological point of view concerning groundwater utilization for the reclamation of a large area of the Western Desert. Lithological, petrophysical, and petrographical studies were conducted on four wells south of Beris Oasis, namely Beris 20, Beris 15, Beris 14, and Beris 13, and are defined by latitudes 24°25′E and 24°35′E and longitudes 30°30′N and 30°46′N. The Nubian sedimentation is of Posttectonic deposition that took place over the uplifted Precambrian granitic basement and is Lower Cretaceous, whereas the upper most variegated shales of the cap rock are Upper Cretaceous. The Nubian sandstones in the area south of Beris Oasis contain hematitic stains and/or fine granular authigenic hematite, thin laminae of brown ferruginous quartzite is also recorded denoting oxidizing conditions in the basin of deposition. Thin streaks of carbonaceous shales are met with in different depths to the south of Beris area, may be taken to denote oscillations in the sea level and accordingly its depths, and are responsible for the change in the oxidation-reduction potential during the deposition of the corresponding beds. Lithologic logs were interpreted together with the electric and micro-logs for adjustment of the shale breaks and showed that there are five water-bearing zones, named from bottom to top: A, B, C, D, and E, and are mainly unfossiliferous orthoquartzites, separated from each other by impervious beds of siltstones, shales, and clays of varying thicknesses. This zoning had been found valid in other parts of the Kharga Oases and could be applied locally in the Kharga Oases area. Mechanical analysis was performed mainly on 39 samples, of which 18 were core samples and 21 were cuttings, that were raised from four wells dug in the area south of Beris Oasis, Kharga Oases. Porosity and permeability tests were carried out on the 18 core samples only. The implication of these data on the environment of deposition of the Nubia Sandstone is discussed. Petrographic examination of a thin section of the subsurface Nubia sandstones in the South of Beris Oasis showed that the lithified rocks fall into three types depending on the nature of cement being, silicious or ferruginous, and on the amount of primary matrix, which at present is reorganized into iron oxides, microquartz, and muscovite flakes, thus reaching the phyllomorphic stage of diagensis. Rounding of the quartz grains shows that transportation had a minor effect on the grain morphology and favor a fluviatile transporting agent.     

Turonian Rudist Facies from Abu Roash area,North Western Desert,Egypt

Five radiolitid rudist species are described from the Turonian sequence of Abu Roash area. They are recognized in three rudist biostromes that occur in two informal members of Abu Roash Formation; the Rudist- and the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl members. The three biostromes show autochthonous and parautochthonous fabrics and moderate to high packing potential. The first rudist biostrome at the base of the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member (Middle Turonian) contains Durania gaensis, Praeradiolites ponsianus and Bournonia fourtaui. The second biostrome in the same member consists of Bournonia roashensis. The third biostrome that recognized in the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member (Late Turonian) consists of Durania arnaudi. Rudist biostromes in the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member were deposited on subtidal rudist shoals with moderate to high energy versus that of the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member that deposited in low to moderate energy on deeper part of subtidal rudist shoals. The exposed Turonian succession at Abu Roash area could be divided into three depositional sequences bounded by three sequence boundaries (paleosols and angular unconformity).The first rudist biostrome in the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member represents the lower part of the transgressive systems tract of the first depositional sequence. The deepening upward trend of the transgressive systems tract is due to increase of accommodation space in transgressive context during relative sea-level rise episode. On the other hand, the second rudist biostrome in the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member and the third rudist biostrome in the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member are in shallowing-upward set sequence forming the highstand systems tract of the first and third depositional sequences. This indicates that, the accommodation space was being filled more rapidly than was being created during the highstand stage.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry studies on the Nusab El Balgum granitic batches,South Western Desert,Egypt

Igneous rocks of Nusab El Balgum are formed as an elongated complex mass covering an area of about 4 km?×?12.5 km (50 km²), in the NNE-SSW direction of the Tarfawi-Qena-South Sinai trend, which is a branch of the Trans-African shear zone at the intersection with the Kalabsha fault, which is a branch from Guinean-Nubian lineaments. The continuous reactivation of these two major weakness zones from the late Triassic to recent times has created many generations of the magma batches. The exposed granitic rocks of these batches at Nusab El Balgum were represented by the fresh peralkaline granite (youngest) and hydrothermally altered granites (oldest). The fresh peralkaline granite takes the form of a small stock composed essentially of perthites, quartz, sodic pyroxenes, amphiboles (secondary), and rare albite according to the proportion of presence, respectively. The accessory minerals are zircon, bastnaesite-(Ce), columbite-(Fe), magnetite, barite, and sphalerite. The geochemical study indicated that this granite is peralkaline, ferroan, A-type (specifically belongs to the A1-subgroup), anorogeny, emplaced in a within-plate, and crystallized at relatively shallow depth from the alkali basaltic magma similar to the OIBs. Furthermore, it is enriched in the HFSE (e.g., Th, U, Nb, REE, and Zr). The hydrothermally altered granites are formed as an incomplete ring shape and a small stock. They were formed during the late Cretaceous age and were altered due to the hydrothermal solutions from the continuous reactivation affected weakness zones and the new magmatic batches. The hydrothermally altered granites are extremely rich in HFSE found in the accessory minerals such as zircon (different in shape, size, and contains inclusions of bastnaesite and columbite), columbite-(Fe&Mn), rare gittinsite, pyrochlore minerals (ceriopyrochlore and plumbopyrochlore) carlosbarbosaite, changbaiite, bastnaesite-(Ce), monazite-(Ce), stetindite, cerianite-(Ce), thorite, and uranothorite. These rocks were subjected to many highly superimposed hydrothermal alteration types, including propylitic, sericitic, potassic, silicification, argillic, and Fe-Mn oxy-hydroxides. The hydrothermal solutions with low temperatures and containing F^1? and CO₃^2?, PO₄^3? and H₂O caused redistribution; transportation and redeposition of the HFSE in these rocks, in addition to the clay minerals and K-metasomatism, were formed. The relations between the silicification index (SI?=?SiO₂/(SiO₂ + Al₂O₃) and Zr, Nb, Th, U, LREE, and HREE are positive but they become negative with the K-metasomatism.     

Mineralogy and fluid inclusion studies of the Au-Cu quartz veins in the Hamash area, South-Eastern Desert, Egypt

Summary Field relations, petrographic observations and fluid inclusion data are used to characterize the mineralizing fluids of gold-copper bearing quartz veins, which are spatially associated with a granite-porphyry, metavolcanics and metagabbro in the Hamash area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. Four generations of genetically related quartz veins occur in the Hamash mine area. Two types of alteration are developed in vicinity of quartz veins; i.e., sericite-quartz-pyrite and chlorite-epidote-pyrite-sericite alteration. Fe-Cu sulfides in the veins were precipitated in two stages, early pyrite (PI) and chalcopyrite were altered to secondary chalcocite, bornite and digenite and a second generation of pyrite (PII and PIII). PI pyrite and quartz contain inclusions of gold as well as remobilized gold along cracks and microfractures. Two types of fluid inclusions are distinguished: 1) primary H₂O-CO₂-CH₄-NaCl inclusions (type I) and 2) primary and secondary aqueous inclusions (type II). Type II is further subdivided by the inclusions occurrence within different vein types. Type I inclusions entrapped the endmembers of an unmixed fluid which consists of an aqueous phase and a CO₂-rich gas phase, respectively. The entrapment conditions of approximately 250°C and 200 bars were estimated by intersecting the isochores of the two coexisting aqueous and CO₂-rich fluids and indicate a shallow crustal level. The salinity of type IIa inclusions is generally low (< 9 wt.% NaCl_eq), they homogenize above 234°C and included heterogeneous and homogeneous fluids over a wide pressure range. Homogenization temperatures of type IIb inclusions vary between 102° and 284 °C, their assumed entrapping temperatures are 200°C and 110°C, respectively. The four generations of quartz veins are related with different inclusion types. The metals including primary gold were probably transported as bisulfide complexes and precipitated due to wallrock sulfidation, fluid mixing and phase separation. The Hamash Au-Cu mineralization shows a combination of porphyry- and epithermal-deposits characteristics.

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Mineralogie und Flüssigkeitseinschlußuntersuchungen an Au-Cu Quarzgängen im Hamash Gebiet, Südöstliche Wüste, Ägypten

Zusammenfassung Geländebeziehungen, petrographische Beobachtungen und Untersuchungen an Flüussigkeitseinschlüssen erlauben die Charakterisierung der mineralisierenden Fluide in Gold-Kupfer-führenden Quarzgängen, die mit einem Porphyr-Granit und einem Gabbro im Hamash Gebiet der südöstlichen Wüste von Ägypten assozüert sind. Vier Generationen von Quarzgängen kommen im Gebiet der Hamash Mine vor. Zwei Alterationstypen sind in der Nähe der Quarzgänge ausgebildet: Serizit-Quarz-Pyrit und Chlorit-Epidot-Pyrit-Serizit Alteration. Die Fe-Cu-Sulfide in den Gängen wurden in zwei Etappen ausgefällt, früh kristallisierter Pyrit (PI) und Kupferkies wurden zu sekundärem Chalkosin, Bornit und Digenit sowie einer zweiten Generation von Pyrit (PII und PII) umgewandelt. PI Pyrit und Quarz enthalten sowohl Gold-Einschlüsse als auch remobilisiertes Gold entlang von Spalten und Mikrobrüchen. Zwei Typen von Flüssigkeitseinschlussen wurden unterschieden: 1) primäre H₂O-CO₂-CH₄-NaCl Einschlusse (Typ 1), 2) primäre und selcundäre wäßrige Einschlusse (Typ II). Typ I Einschlusse schlossen die Endglieder eines entmischten Fluides ein, das aus einer wässrigen bzw. einer CO₂-reichen Gasphase bestand. Die Einschlußedingungen von ungefähr 250°C und 200 bar wurden durch den Schnittpunkt der Isochoren der beiden koexistierenden Fluide bestimmt und zeigen einen seichten Krustenbereich an. Die Salinität von Typ Ila Einschlussen ist generell niedrig (<9 Gew.% NaCl_eq), sie homogenisieren uber 234 °C und schlossen heterogene und homogene Fluide über einen großen Druckbereich ein. Die Homogenisationstemperaturen von Typ IIb Einschlussen variieren zwischen 102° und 284°C, ihre angenommenen Einfangtemperaturen liegen bei 200 °C bzw 110 °C. Die vier Generationen von Quarzgängen stehen in Zusammenhang mit den verschiedenen Typen von Flussigkeitseinschlussen. Die Metalle, einschließlich des primaären Goldes, wurden wahrscheinlich als BisulphidKomplexe transportiert und auf Grund von Sulfidisierung der Nebengesteine, Fluidmischung und Phasenseparation ausgefällt. Die Hamash Au-Cu Mineralisation zeigt eine Kombination von Porphyr- und Epithermal-Lagerstätten Charakteristika.

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With 6 Figures     

Integrated potential field study on the subsurface structural characterization of the area North Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The present study aims mainly to delineate and outline the regional subsurface structural and tectonic framework of the buried basement rocks of Abu El Gharadig Basin, Northern Western Desert, Egypt. The potential field data (Bouguer gravity and total intensity aeromagnetic maps) carried out in the Abu El Gharadig Basin had been analyzed together with other geophysical and geological studies. The execution of this study is initiated by transformation of the total intensity aeromagnetic data to the reduced to pole (RTP) magnetic map. This is followed by applying several transformation techniques and various filtering processes through qualitative and quantitative analyses on both of the gravity and magnetic data. These techniques include the qualitative interpretation of gravity, total intensity magnetic and RTP magnetic maps. Regional–residual separation is carried out using the power spectrum. Also, the analytic signal and second vertical derivative techniques are applied to delineate the hidden anomalies. Aeromagnetic anomalies in the area reflect significant features on the basement tectonics, on the deep-seated structures and on the shallow-seated ones. Major faults and intrusions in the area are indicated to be mainly along the NE–SW, NW–SE, ENE–WSW and E–W directions. The Bouguer gravity map indicates major basement fracturing, as well as variations in the sedimentary basins and ridges and subsequent tectonic disturbances. The most obvious anomalous trends on the gravity map, based on their frequencies and amplitudes, are along the NE–SW, ENE–WSW, E–W and NW–SE trends. The main of Abu EL Gharadig Basin depositional center does not show sharp variations, because of the homogeneity of the marine rocks and the great basement depths.     

Authigenic dolomite cementation in the Upper Cretaceous Phosphate Formation, Western Desert, Egypt

The Upper Cretaceous Phosphate Formation in the Western Desert of Egypt displays a characteristic facies association that includes marine phosphorites interbedded with black shales and glauconitic sandstones. The upper part of the formation is characterized by the presence of thin phosphatic beds, which are filled-extensively-with disordered and non stoichiometric (mean MgCO₃ = 41.4 ± 0.34 mol%) authigenic dolomite cement. SEM and the back scattered images of these coarse crystalline dolomite cements reveal that they display planar euhedral crystal boundaries, polymodal crystal size distribution and variable inclusion pattern. The relatively low and wide ranged δ¹⁸O (− 0.87 to − 4.15‰ VPDB) values of the dolomite cements coupled with their depleted Sr (mean = 187 ± 26 ppm) and high iron and manganese values (mean = 6851 ± 554 ppm and 11599 ± 229 ppm respectively) invoke that they were formed from mixed hypo-saline fluids within a mixing marine-meteoric zone probably during a low stand period at the vicinity of the Maastrichtian/Early Tertiary unconformity. Meanwhile, their negative δ¹³C (− 1.31 to − 3.56‰ VPDB) values argue for a possible involvement of isotopically light carbon, derived from degradation of organic matter, during their precipitation.     

Two orogenies in the Meatiq area of the Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Pan-African basement exposed in the Meatiq area west of Quseir, Egypt, consists of an infracrustal basement overthrusted by a supracrustal cover. The infracrustal rocks were developed as a result of an old orogeny referred to as the Meatiqian orogeny where granite—gneiss, migmatitic gneisses and migmatized amphibolites were formed. The granite—gneiss represents a deformed granite pluton emplaced at 626±2 Ma, whereas the migmatitic gneisses and amphibolites are of mixed igneous and sedimentary parentage. In view of the data so far available, the nature of the Meatiqian orogeny could not be deciphered. In spite of the young isotopic ages, it is suggested that at least the metasedimentary gneisses represent older rocks in the stratigraphic sequence of the infracrustal basement.The supracrustal cover represents a part of an extensive ophiolitic mélange obducted onto the infracrustal basement during the next orogeny (Abu Ziran orogeny) which culminated at 613±2 Ma. An active continental margin-type regime can adequately explain the evolution of such a supracrustal cover. During obduction, the ophiolitic mélange and the upper 2 km thick part of the infracrustal basement were intensely deformed and metamorphosed under PT conditions of the greenschist—epidote amphibolite facies. The deformed infracrustal basement was converted into mylonitic—blastomylonitic rocks and schists composing five thrust sheets, and subsequently intruded by synkinematic granitoid sheets. Later, both the infracrustal basement and the overlying supracrustal cover were isostatically uplifted, subjected to complex shallow folding giving rise to the major Meatiq domal structure, and were intruded by a postkinematic adamellite pluton at 579±6 Ma.     

Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area,central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The studied serpentinites occur as isolated masses, imbricate slices of variable thicknesses and as small blocks or lenses incorporated in the sedimentary matrix of the mélange. They are thrusted over the associated island arc calc-alkaline metavolcanics and replaced by talc-carbonates along shear zones. Lack of thermal effect of the serpentinites upon the enveloping country rocks, as well as their association with thrust faults indicates their tectonic emplacement as solid bodies. Petrographically, they are composed essentially of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite with subordinate amounts of carbonates, chromite, magnetite, magnesite, talc, tremolite and chlorite. Chrysotile occurs as cross-fiber veinlets traversing the antigorite matrix, which indicate a late crystallization under static conditions. The predominance of antigorite over other serpentine minerals indicates that the serpentinites have undergone prograde metamorphism or the parent ultramafic rocks were serpentinized under higher pressure. The parent rocks of the studied serpentinites are mainly harzburgite and less commonly dunite and wehrlite due to the prevalence of mesh and bastite textures. The serpentinites have suffered regional metamorphism up to the greenschist facies, which occurred during the collisional stage or back-arc basin closure, followed by thrusting over a continental margin. The microprobe analyses of the serpentine minerals show wide variation in SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, FeO and Cr₂O₃ due to different generations of serpentinization. The clinopyroxene relicts, from the partly serpentinized peridotite, are augite and similar to clinopyroxene in mantle-derived peridotites. The chromitite lenses associated with the serpentinites show common textures and structures typical of magmatic crystallization and podiform chromitites. The present data suggest that the serpentinites and associated chromitite lenses represent an ophiolitic mantle sequence from a supra-subduction zone, which were thrust over the continental margins during the collisional stage of back-arc basin.     

Campanian-Lower Paleogene gastropods from the Kharga Oasis,south Western Desert,Egypt

The Campanian-Lower Paleogene successions exposed at the Kharga Oasis contain well-preserved gastropods. Nineteen gastropod species are identified and described in detail. Two new species are established: Gisortia khargaensis from the lower Eocene El Rufuf Formation and Ornopsis? barisensis from the lower Paleocene Kurkur Formation. In addition to, Turritella (Torquesia) derbesi Coquand is recorded herein for the first time from Egypt. The studied gastropods belonging to four clades: Sorbeoconcha (Metacerithium abictiforme (Wanner), Mesalia hofana Mayer-Eymar, Mesalia sp., Turritella (Torquesia) derbesi Coquand, Turritella (Torquesia) forgemoli Coquand, Turritella kaserensis Hewaidy and Azab, Turritella sp.), Littorinimorpha (Cypraedia bullina Oppenheim, Gisortia khargaensis nov. sp., Natica farafrensis Wanner, Aporrhais schweinfurthi (Quaas), Drepanocheilus bicarinatus Abbass, Drepanocheilus? sp., Anchura? unicarinatus (Abbass), Epitonium sp.), Neogastropoda (Ornopsis? barisensis nov. sp., Rostellana daniensis (Quaas), Vouta sp.), and Heterobranchia (Avellana cretacea Quaas).     

Petrography and geochemistry of the Upper Cretaceous Nubia sandstones,Eastern Desert,Egypt: implications for provenance,paleoweathering, and tectonic setting

The provenance of the Upper Cretaceous Nubia sandstones from four vertical sections along Qena-Safaga and Qena-Quseir roads in central Eastern Desert of Egypt was investigated based on their modal composition and geochemical data. The Nubia sandstone samples are abundant in quartz content with low feldspar and lithic fragments. Their average modal composition (Q_94.2F_1.3R_4.5) classifies them as quartz arenites with subordinate quartz wackes which is consistent with geochemistry data. The average CIA, CIW, PIA, and Th/U ratio values revealed that the intensity of weathering in the studied areas was similar, varying from moderate to intensive weathering, and may reflect low-relief and warm humid climatic conditions in the source area. The ICV (<?1) and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio (>?5) indicate that the Nubia sandstones are texturally and mineralogically mature. The petrographical and geochemical analyses suggest that the Nubia sandstones were mainly derived from felsic (granitic) and/or recycled sand sources. The major element-based multidimensional tectonic discrimination diagrams suggested the Nubia sandstones were deposited in a passive continental margin of a syn-rift basin. This result agreed with the general geology of central Eastern Desert of Egypt during the Upper Cretaceous.     

Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied serpentinites occur as isolated masses, imbricate slices of variable thicknesses and as small blocks or lenses incorporated in the sedimentary matrix of the mélange. They are thrusted over the associated island arc calc-alkaline metavolcanics and replaced by talc-carbonates along shear zones. Lack of thermal effect of the serpentinites upon the enveloping country rocks, as well as their association with thrust faults indicates their tectonic emplacement as solid bodies. Petrographically, they are composed essentially of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite with subordinate amounts of carbonates, chromite, magnetite, magnesite, talc, tremolite and chlorite. Chrysotile occurs as cross-fiber veinlets traversing the antigorite matrix, which indicate a late crystallization under static conditions. The predominance of antigorite over other serpentine minerals indicates that the serpentinites have undergone prograde metamorphism or the parent ultramafic rocks were serpentinized under higher pressure. The parent rocks of the studied serpentinites are mainly harzburgite and less commonly dunite and wehrlite due to the prevalence of mesh and bastite textures. The serpentinites have suffered regional metamorphism up to the greenschist facies, which occurred during the collisional stage or back-arc basin closure, followed by thrusting over a continental margin. The microprobe analyses of the serpentine minerals show wide variation in SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, FeO and Cr₂O₃ due to different generations of serpentinization. The clinopyroxene relicts, from the partly serpentinized peridotite, are augite and similar to clinopyroxene in mantle-derived peridotites. The chromitite lenses associated with the serpentinites show common textures and structures typical of magmatic crystallization and podiform chromitites. The present data suggest that the serpentinites and associated chromitite lenses represent an ophiolitic mantle sequence from a supra-subduction zone, which were thrust over the continental margins during the collisional stage of back-arc basin.     

Re-Os geochronology of gold mineralization in the Fawakhir area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

We report the first Re-Os data on gold-associated arsenopyrite from mesothermal gold-quartz veins in the ancient Egyptian Fawakhir–El Sid gold mining district in the central Eastern Desert. This mining district has an ~5000-year-old history and is displayed in the Turin Papyrus Map (about 1150 BC), which is widely acclaimed as the world’s oldest geographic map, as well as the oldest geologic and mine map. The Fawakhir–El Sid district is part of a regional NNW-trending shear corridor (15 km wide) that hosts several other historic gold mines associated with left-lateral wrench structures and related granite intrusions. Vein-style gold mineralization is hosted within and at the margin of an I-type and magnetite-series monzogranite, the Fawakhir granite intrusion, and a Pan-African (~740 Ma) ophiolite sequence. The ore mineralogy of the mineralized quartz veins includes pyrite-arsenopyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite-galena-chalcopyrite-electrum plus a number of tellurides of Ag, Au, and Bi. The ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os versus ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os regression on 5 points of arsenopyrite gives an age of 601 ± 17 Ma with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.24 ± 0.07 (2 σ; MSWD = 17). This age coincides within error with the U-Pb age on zircon from the Fawakhir monzogranite (598 ± 3 Ma). The age coincidence and the hydrothermal Te and Bi metal signature suggest a foremost role of granite-related fluids in the quartz-vein system.     

A contribution to the geology of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Size and mineral analysis of the Upper Cretaceous clastics of the Bahariya Oasis indicate moderately well sorted, coarse skeewed and mesokurtic sediments. These sediments were most probably derived from mixed igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary sources, under conditions of low rainfall and poor drainage interfered by high rainfall periods.The shape of quartz grains and occurrence of stable and less stable minerals prove a short distance, saltation to graded suspension transportation of these sediments.Probably coastal plain, interfered by fresh water conditions had prevailed during the accumulation of these sediments, i.e. fluviomarine environment.     

A contribution to the geology of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Detailed petrographic investigations of the Upper Cretaceous-Eocene succession exposed at Bahariya Oasis resulted in the recognition of different litho- and biofacies associations, mostly of the carbonate rock type.The litho- and biofacies characters of the Eocene strata reveal comparatively shallow, quiet marine conditions, interrupted by agitated, high energy intervals.During the Maastrichtian age, deeper quiet marine conditions prevailed. The Upper and Lower members of the Campanian strata were deposited under deep quiet marine conditions, relative to shallower agitated conditions that prevailed during the deposition of the middle member.The Lower Cenomanian sediments were deposited under an alternating high and low energy fresh water environment, interrupted with saline (fluviomarine) periods, relative to the comparatively deeper marine conditions that prevailed during the Upper Cenomanian age.The main diagenetic processes recorded are: cementation, aggrading neomorphism, silicification and dolomitization.     

Sedimentology,sequential analysis and clay mineralogy of the lower Eocene sequence at Farafra Oasis area,Western Desert of Egypt

Integrated sedimentological studies, sequential analysis and clay mineralogy on the lower Eocene rocks in the Western Desert provided important information on the reconstruction of the depositional basin, cyclicity, and paleoclimatic conditions. Two formations are recognized; the Esna and Farafra formations, with a gradational contact in-between. The studied sequence exhibits lateral facies changes as revealed from field and microfacies investigations. Eight facies were recognized and summarized in a carbonate ramp model. It represents also a general regressive trend, which records a transition from an outer ramp into a peritidal zone. The facies stacking patterns constitute several kinds of meter-scale, shallowing-upward cycles. Two different types of depositional cycles are here defined. The stratigraphic sections show a hierarchical organization of many cycles defined by five depositional sequences. It is suggested that composite eustatic sea level oscillations caused by cyclic perturbations of the Earth’s orbit played a fundamental role in determining the formation of the observed hierarchical cyclic organization. Summing up, it is believed that the paleotopography had resulted from the impact of the Syrian Arc Folding System. A confusing additional complication is introduced by syndepositional sedimentary structures, especially during the late Cretaceous/Eocene times, coupled by several tensional forces. Clay mineralogy has revealed the presence of smectite, kaolinite and illite. Their origin may be attributed to the gradual increase in the amount of erosion of the newly elevated crystalline source rocks to the south of Egypt, in areas of moderate rainfall and rapid weathering and/or to reworking processes of soils which presumably developed on basement rocks. Changes in source rocks or climatic influence during the early Eocene may account for the observed differences in clay mineral abundances.     

Palaeomagnetism of some Miocene rocks, Qattara depression, Western Desert, Egypt

Eleven sites comprising 76 core samples of Lower (sandstone) and Middle (limestone) Miocene age were collected from the northeastern tip of the Qattara depression in the north of the Western Desert of Egypt. The majority of samples showed weak to very weak remanent magnetization with geothite, haematite and titanomagnetite as the main magnetic carriers. However, with a careful detailed thermal demagnetization, they yielded stable, probably primary, magnetization. The resultant overall mean direction of 2.9°/31.2° with α₉₅=2.3° corresponds to a palaeomagnetic pole position of 76.5°N and 198.0°E with A₉₅=2.0°, which seems to agree with other known African Miocene poles. This result implies that the Qattara area has been stable at least since Early Miocene. The presence of goethite as the main magnetic carrier supports the assumption that weathering has been playing an important role in the development and shaping of the depression.