Late Cretaceous–Early Paleogene tectonic events at Farafra-Abu Minqar Stretch,Western Desert,Egypt: results from calcareous plankton

This work depends on integrated high-resolution calcareous plankton nannofossil and foraminiferal biostratigraphic analyses for three Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene successions at Farafra-Abu Minqar area, Western Desert, Egypt. These sections are distributed in a north-south geologic profile as follows: El Aqabat, North Gunna, and Abu Minqar. Lithostratigraphically, four formations are recorded in the study area, namely, Khoman (at base), Dakhla, Tarawan, and Esna (at top). In the north at El Aqabat section, Khoman Formation (carbonate facies) is only represented which changes partially toward the south to Dakhla Formation (siliciclastic facies). In the extreme south at Abu Minqar section, it changes completely into siliciclastic facies of Dakhla Formation. Biostratigraphically, seven calcareous nannofossil and eleven planktonic foraminiferal zones represent the Late Cretaceous-Early Paleogene are identified. Based on the occurrence or missing of these zones accompanied with the field criteria resulted in detecting four tectonic events. These tectonic events took place at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg), the Danian/Selandian (D/S), the Selandian/Thanetian (S/T), and the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) boundaries. These tectonic events are related to the impact of the Syrian Arc System. Four sequence boundaries (SB1, SB2, SB3, and SB4) are defined in the Late Cretaceous-Early Paleogene sequence in the Farafra-Abu Minqar area.     

Utilization of Lime for Stabilizing Soft Clay Soil of High Organic Content

This paper presents the results of geotechnical and mineralogical investigations on lime-treated soft clay soil from Idku City, Egypt, where high organic matters of about 14% exist. Lime was added in the order of 1%, 3%, 5% and 7% by weight and laboratory experiments after 7, 15, 30 and 60 days were conducted including the mineralogical and microstructural examinations, grain size analysis, plasticity limits, unconfined compressive tests, vane shear tests and oedometer tests. The results indicate that soft clay soil of high organic content of 14% can be stabilized satisfactorily with the addition of 7% lime. The results also demonstrate that the changes in the mineralogical contents and soil fabric of high organic lime-treated soft clay improve soil plasticity, strength and compressibility.     

Gypsum and dolomite biomineralization in endoevaporitic microbial niche,EMISAL, Fayium,Egypt

Biogenic gypsum in the form of microbialite and potential domal stromatolite as well as endoevaporitic dolomite are deposited in a perennial saline basin characterized by microbial bloom. Deposition environment, mode of occurrence, and microscopic investigation including SEM of these precipitates are discussed in conjunction with XRD, XRF, and FTIR data. Combined effects of salinity gradient and the wind action on the maturity of gypsum outcrop are evident. A characteristic multi-color vertical gypsum profile reflects steep gradient of oxi-anoxic microenvironments and encodes diverse seasonal microbial communities. Direct impact of microbial signature in gypsum crystal habit is conspicuous. Endoevaporitic authigenic dolomite is recorded in specific horizons in interstices of selenite layers.     

Benthic foraminiferal turnover across the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) event in Eastern Desert,Egypt

Benthic foraminiferal fauna are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively at three stratigraphic sections in Eastern Desert of Egypt (Serai, Duwi, and Um El Huetat). These sections embrace the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) interval which is represented by the occurrence of five distinctive beds. These beds constitute the Dababiya Quarry Member at the lower part of Esna Formation. The occurrence of them indicates an expanded and relatively continuous record across the P/E boundary. The organic-rich clay layer (bed no. 1 of the Dababiya Quarry Member) marks the start of the PETM event. This bed is characterized by the extinction of all benthic foraminiferal fauna except for the occurrence of rare agglutinated foraminiferal species. The presence of these species indicates an oceanic anoxic event at the sea floor. High concentration of phosphatic contents including fish remains occurred in the middle part of the PETM (bed nos. 2 and 3 of the Dababiya Quarry Member) with the continuous absence of benthic foraminiferal fauna except for few specimens at the top of bed 3. Bed nos. 4 and 5 of the Dababiya Quarry Member represent the upper part of the PETM and the initial stage of sea floor recovery. Low diversity and abundance of benthic foraminiferal taxa occurred within these beds, represented by Valvulineria scrobiculata, Lenticulina midwayensis, Loxostomoides appliane, and Siphogenerinoides eleganta. This phenomenon continues upward during the post-PETM event. The Paleocene velasco-type benthic foraminifera Angulogavelinella avnimelechi and Coryphostoma midwayensis species are extinct within the advent of the PETM event. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages at the studied sections are dominated by midway-type fauna with little representative of velasco-type fauna. The velasco-type species are represented with high abundance at Serai section and with low densities at Um El Huetat section, while at Duwi section, they rarely occurred. This suggests outer neritic-upper bathyal (150–400 m) setting at Serai section and mostly middle-outer neritic (50–150 m) setting at Um El Huetat and Duwi sections.     

Geophysical Exploration of Shallow Groundwater Aquifers in Arid Regions: A Case Study of Siwa Oasis,Egypt

Geophysical and geological studies play a fundamental role in the strategic and sustainable utilization of natural resources, especially that of fossil groundwater, in arid regions. The geophysical exploration of shallow groundwater aquifers is common in arid regions. In this work, a feasibility study of future development plans in the Siwa Oasis, Egypt, was carried out. A land electric resistivity survey was conducted, and approximately 14 vertical electric soundings were measured covering the Siwa Oasis, northwestern desert, Egypt. A detailed surface geology study was also conducted to study the underground water aquifer. Digital filters were applied to the reduced to pole-available magnetic data covering the area. The normalized source strength transformation and tilt depth were calculated and applied to delineate the possible structures that may control the shallow and deep aquifers in the area. The integrated interpretation showed the presence of four main geoelectric layers forming the shallow section of the Siwa Oasis down to 220 m. These layers varied in their resistivity and rock constituents from very low (0.2 Ω m) to very high (6200 Ω m) values. The calculated hydraulic parameters showed that the uppermost central area and the eastern area were the most promising areas for the required water development. Finally, based on the integrated interpretation and the estimated shallow aquifer potentiality, a land use map for the Siwa Oasis was produced to assist future strategic development of the region.