Textural Analysis and Clay Mineralogy of Sabkha Sediments in Wadi El-Sahal and Wadi El-Suwani, Tobruk City, Libya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37375/sjfssu.v5i2.3427Keywords:
Sabkha, Wadi, Tobruk, Kaolinite, Carbonate, Silt and ClayAbstract
This study compares sediment characteristics of Wadi Elsahal and Wadi Al-Suwani sabkhas. This study sheds light on the grain size analysis and clay minerals, using the carbonate-sand-mud separation method, the sand-silt-clay method, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the proportions of clay minerals. In the intertidal zone, Wadi El-Suwani has a higher carbonate content (54.66%) than Wadi Elsahal (46.16%) and a slightly lower sand content (32.16% vs. 37%). The mud content is similar with Wadi El-Sahal slightly higher at 16.83%. In the supratidal zone, Wadi Elsahal shows higher carbonate (51.66%) and clay (29%), while Wadi El-Suwani has more sand (15%) and mud (47%). Both sabkhas show similar silt content (~69%). Clay mineral analysis from Wadi Elsahal reveals kaolinite ranging between 51–63% and illite from 37–49%. These differences reflect variations in depositional energy, with Wadi Elsahal indicating a stable carbonate-rich environment, while Wadi El-Suwani suggests more episodic energy events like wind or floods. Based on sediment and mineral composition, Wadi Elsahal represents a stable intertidal sabkha dominated by biogenic carbonates and fine sediments, while Wadi Al-Suwani reflects a dynamic supratidal sabkha environment influenced by variable energy and sediment supply. This study provides valuable insights into the sedimentary and mineralogical differences between Wadi ElSahal and Wadi El-Suwani sabkhas, contributing to a deeper understanding of coastal depositional processes in eastern Libya. The findings are significant for identifying stable versus dynamic sabkha environments, offering useful implications for sedimentology, geomorphological mapping, and environmental planning in arid coastal regions. There is a lack of detailed comparative studies focusing on the sediment and clay mineral characteristics of adjacent sabkha environments in eastern Libya especially between Wadi Elsahal and Wadi ElSuwani. This study aims to analyze and compare grain size and clay minerals in both sabkhas identify the dominant depositional processes and evaluate the environmental stability of each sabkha zone.
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