MINERALOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY IMPACT ON MIDDLE AND LATE EOCENE CARBONATE ROCKS., EAST HELWAN AREA, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

The present study deals with Geochemistry and Mineralogical impact on Middle and Late Eocene rocks
exposed at East Helwan area -Egypt. The studied area lies between Latitudes 29º 47' 30ʹʹ and 29º 53 ' 00ʹʹ N.
and longitudes 31º 21' 04ʹʹ and 31º 28' 45ʹʹ E.
Middle and Late Eocene sediments are subdivided into five rock units from base to top: Middle Eocene
(Gebel Houf and Observatory Formations); Late Eocene (EL-Qurn, Wadi Garawi and Wadi Houf Formations).
Mineral composition was done on nineteen carbonate samples (using x-ray diffraction method. The study
reveals the presence of a number of carbonate minerals; calcite, dolomite, and non-carbonate minerals name
Gypsum, Anhydrite, Halite, and quartz in variable amounts.
Chemical composition of the carbonate rocks for fifty four samples (major and trace elements) represent
Middle and Late Eocene carbonates were done. The data reveal that Middle and Late Eocene carbonates were
deposited under shallow, alkaline and oxidizing environmental conditions.

Main Subjects