HEAVY MINERALS IN THE SEDIMENTS OF THE EUPHRATES RIVER .

Abstract

This study is concerned with the heavy minerals analysis in the (+ 63  m) fraction of the Euphrates River sediments, in order to specify source rocks, contribution to heavy metals enrichment in the river sediments, distribution pattern in the various river sectors, as well as comparing the present results with previous work.

The results show significant variation in the H. M. content in the three sectors of the river. It was noticed that the content of H. M. of metamorphic origin increase towards the south where those of igneous origin decrease.

The moderately stable H. M. make about 50% of the population whereas the ultrastable H. M. make only about 5% . Opaques are present in high proportions reaching about 32% as an average, decreasing southward. The pyroxenes come second (31%) and hornblende comes third (18%).

Statistical correlations indicate that garnet has contributed to the enrichment of Cr, Ni, Cu, opaques contributed to the enrichment of Cd, and Biotite contributed to the enrichment of Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb. This study has shown that there are several sources for the H.M. in the Euphrates sediments including igneous and sedimentary complexes in Turkey and Syria, Injana and Dibdibba Formations inside Iraq, as well as the clastics derived from NE Iraq by the Tigris River and its tributaries which show their influence in the Mesopotamian part of the Euphrates basin.