Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Azoz, S., El-Shater, A., Obaidalla, N., El-Mohandes, I., Darwish, M. (2025). Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. EKB Journal Management System, 3(2), 1-16. doi: 10.21608/nujbas.2025.378257.1042
Shimaa k. M. Azoz; AbdelHamid El-Shater; Nageh A. Obaidalla; Ibrahim Y. El-Mohandes; Mahmoud H. Darwish. "Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt". EKB Journal Management System, 3, 2, 2025, 1-16. doi: 10.21608/nujbas.2025.378257.1042
Azoz, S., El-Shater, A., Obaidalla, N., El-Mohandes, I., Darwish, M. (2025). 'Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt', EKB Journal Management System, 3(2), pp. 1-16. doi: 10.21608/nujbas.2025.378257.1042
Azoz, S., El-Shater, A., Obaidalla, N., El-Mohandes, I., Darwish, M. Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. EKB Journal Management System, 2025; 3(2): 1-16. doi: 10.21608/nujbas.2025.378257.1042

Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

New Valley University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences
Volume 3, Issue 2, December 2025, Page 1-16  XML PDF (1.78 MB)
Document Type: Original papers
DOI: 10.21608/nujbas.2025.378257.1042
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Authors
Shimaa k. M. Azoz1; AbdelHamid El-Shater2; Nageh A. Obaidalla3; Ibrahim Y. El-Mohandes2, 4; Mahmoud H. Darwish email 1
1Geology Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, El-Kharga 72511, Egypt
2Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, 82524, Egypt
3Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt
4State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive mineralogical analysis of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene sedimentary successions in the Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), forty-two samples from the Sudr, Dib, Esna, and Thebes formations were examined to resolve previous inconsistencies in mineralogical interpretations. The results reveal that the Sudr and Dib formations are predominantly composed of calcite, suggesting deposition under stable, shallow marine conditions, with the upper Sudr showing greater mineral variability, indicative of fluctuating environmental conditions. The Esna Formation displays significant mineralogical heterogeneity, particularly in the El-Dabbabyia Member near the Paleocene–Eocene boundary, reflecting complex depositional settings influenced by global climate shifts. The Thebes Formation is marked by high calcite content with minor contributions from quartz, dolomite, gypsum, and phyllosilicates, pointing to a warm, carbonate-rich marine environment with limited terrigenous input. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of clay minerals such as smectite, kaolinite, and illite, supporting the XRD results and indicating varied sources and diagenetic alterations. These findings provide new insights into the mineralogical evolution, depositional environments, and diagenetic history of the region, contributing to a more refined stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental framework for northeastern Egypt.
Keywords
Esh El-Mellaha area; X-ray diffraction analysis; calcite; phyllosilicates
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