Hasanin, A.E.( 2012). ORIGIN, MODE OF FORMATION AND UNIFORMITY OF WADI EL-SHEAH SOILS, ASSIUT GOVERNORATEJ. Biol. Chem.Environ. Sci., 2012,Vol. 7(4): 685-703
Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the sedimentology pattern and mineralogy of the fine sand fraction in order to evaluate the origin and the uniformity of soil profiles representing the main geomorphic units prevailing Wadi El-Sheah, at Assiut governorate. Data show that the statistical parameters of the particle size distribution revealed that water or water and wind together play the main role in transportation and deposition of sediments except that of the deepest layers of profile H15 (Wadi plain) where wind is the major agent in the transportation. With regard to the mineralogical composition of these soils, light fractions are composed of quartz, but other associated minerals such as feldspars are found in small amounts. Also, the presences of feldspars indicate that the studied soils are young from the pedological point of view. On the other hand, heavy minerals are detected as opaques,
pyroxenes, amphiboles, epidote in high amounts. Zircon, garnet, rutile and tourmaline are present in relatively moderately amounts, while the remaining minerals are detected in less pronounced amounts. From the pedological stand point, the studied soils are considered
young in the light prominence of pyroboles over ubibutous minerals. Certain heavy minerals such as garnet, epidote and staurolite are mainly divided from metamorphic terrain, whereas, the others such as rutile and tourmaline, for instance, are mainly derived from igneous rocks. Distribution of uniformity and weathering ratios indicate that the studied soil profiles are, generally, heterogeneous due to either their multi origin or their multi depositional regime along the course of sedimentation.
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