Contributions to the geology of Moghra-Qattara area, North Western Desert, Egypt | ||||
| Journal of Basic and Environmental Sciences | ||||
| Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2018, Page 1-19 PDF (3.62 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jbes.2018.369747 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| A. F. Yousf1; M.A. El Fakharany2; U.A. Abu Risha1; M.M. Afifi2; M.A. Al Sayyad1 | ||||
| 1Desert Research Center, Mattaria, Cairo | ||||
| 2Faculty of Science, Benha University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The Moghra-Qattara area represents an important part of the Egyptian land reclamation projects. Understanding the geology of the area is a must in order to properly plan and manage the different activities of the project. This study is based on the most up-to-date measurements and analyses conducted by the Desert Research Center as a part of this project. This study focuses on the Moghra Formation (MF) which represents the main aquifer in this area. Rock and sediment samples were collected from both surface sections and drilled wells. MF was distinguished into three members namely, El Raml, Bait Owian and Monquar El Dowi from base to top. The microscopic examination revealed that one microfacies association is defined in El Raml member which is Quartz-arenite, whereas Bait Owian member comprises two microfacies associations which are Sparite, and microsparite. Contrarily, four microfacies associations are investigated in Monquar El Dowi member which are Calcareous Quartz arenite, Glauconitic calcareous quartz arenite, Ferruginous calcareous quartz arenite and Sandy biomicrite. Mineralogically, twenty bulk samples were selected and examined by the X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The XRD shows that El Raml member is characterized by the presence of quartz, plagioclase and kaolinite as the predominant minerals followed by orthoclase and gypsum minerals. By comparison, Bait Owian member composes mainly of kaolinite and quartz followed by gypsum, calcite, aragonite and geothite. While, Monquar El Dowi member is characterized by the existence of quartz, plagioclase and kaolinite as dominant minerals followed by orthoclase, dolomite, calcite, gypsum, halite and hematite. The grain size analyses of sandy samples from these members show that the first was deposited in a fluvial environment whereas the second is shallow marine and the third is fluviomarine. These microfacies and mineral characteristics have direct impact on the hydraulic properties of Moghra aquifer. | ||||
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