IRAQI BULLETIN OF GEOLOGY AND MINING
مجلة الجيولوجيا والتعدين العراقية 
اهداف ومجال النشر تعليمات النشر للمؤلفات البحوث المنشورة هيئة التحرير
PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE REDDISH TO PALE BROWN TRANSITIONAL SUCCESSION (UPPER CRETACEOUS) IN SMAQULI AREA, NORTHEAST IRAQ (KURDISTAN REGION)
Khalid M. I. Sharbazheri
Received: 22/ 5/ 2007, Accepted: 29/ 7/ 2009
Key words: Biostratigraphy, Planktonic foraminifera, Upper Cretaceous, Shiranish Formation, Kurdistan
(p. 1 – 20)
ABSTRACT
The Upper Cretaceous reddish to pale brown transitional succession (Shiranish – Tanjero transition unit) in the Smaquli area; northeast Iraq was studied to document the nature of the reddish brown unit within the studied section, which comprises three lithostratigraphic units; upper part of Shiranish Formation (Late Campanian), Reddish to pale brown unit (Early Maastrichtian) and lower part of Tanjero Formation (lower – middle Late Maastrichtian). Sixty seven planktonic foraminiferal species that belong to nineteen genera are recorded and six Planktonic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphic Zones have been detected in the studied section. They represent Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone (CF8), Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone (CF7), Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone (CF6), Pseudotextularia intermedia Interval Zone (CF5), Racemiguembelina fructicosa Interval Zone (CF4), Pseudoguembelina hariaensis Interval Zone (CF3). They display Late Campanian – Middle to Late Maastrichtian age. They are discussed and correlated with their equivalents in and outside of the studied area. The age of this succession is estimated to be more than 2.150 My. The planktonic foraminiferal biozones of the studied section display continuous sedimentary succession; they show incessant in sedimentary sequence without any interruption.
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PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE LOWER CLASTIC UNIT OF HUSSAINIYAT FORMATION (EARLY JURASSIC), WESTERN DESERT, IRAQ
Buthaina S. Al-Jibouri
Received: 27/ 4/ 2009, Accepted: 29/ 7/ 2009
Key words: Early Jurassic, Palynostratigraphy, Hussainiyat Formation, Corollina torosus, Iraq
(p. 21 – 29)
ABSTRACT
The Hussainiyat Formation is recently added to the stratigraphic column of Iraq, previously it was considered within the Ubaid Formation. The formation consists of two lithologic units: the Lower Clastic Unit and the Upper Carbonate Unit. It is widely exposed in the Iraqi Western Desert, especially in an area extending from east of Rutbah town towards northeast till Muhaiwir vicinity.
This study is an outline of a study being carried out on the palynological analyses and dating of the Clastic Unit of Hussainiyat Formation. A total of forty one assemblages of palynomorphs were identified and discussed from three subsurface sections (65 samples). These assemblages indicated Early Jurassic (Hettangian – Pliensbachian) age for this unit. The palynological data supports the previously environmental interpretations, indicating lacustrine to delta plain conditions to the clastic unit.
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THE STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS IN THE MIDDLE PART OF ERBIL PLAIN, KURDISTAN REGION, NORTH IRAQ
Galawezh B. Bapeer, Ali M. Surdashy and Karim M. Hassan
Received: 16/ 12/ 2008, Accepted: 30/ 9/ 2009
Key words: Atterberg limits, Expansive clays, Consistency, Iraq
(p. 31 – 46)
ABSTRACT
This study deals with the physical properties of Quaternary sediments in the middle part of Erbil Plain, which is about 1670 Km²; Quaternary sediments, cover about 85% of the studied area. For consistency of soil and clay mineral tests, sixteen localities were selected in different parts of the studied area; GPS instrument was used for indicating the precise location.
The flow curve of Atterberg limits (liquid and plastic limits) indicated that generally the majority of the samples show low to medium plasticity index, between 6.7 – 19.1. However, some localities, particularly near the building of Construction Laboratories, have high plasticity index, which is 26.
The XRD analysis of the samples indicates that the samples contain quartz and calcite; the clay minerals are montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite. The percentage of these clay minerals was calculated and showed that in some areas like Hasarok, Daratu and Bestana the soil should be taken into consideration for any construction and might need soil improvement, because they include high percentage of montmorillonite and expansive clay, which are not suitable for heavy constructions and need soil improvement.
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TYPES OF STROMATOLITES IN THE BARSARIN FORMATION (LATE JURASSIC), BARZINJA AREA, NORTHEAST IRAQ
Hyam S. Daoud and Kamal H. Karim
Received: 27/ 5/ 2009, Accepted: 18/ 11/ 2009
Key words: Barsarin Formation, Stromatolite, Lagoon, Intertidal, Subtidal, Iraq
(p. 47 – 57)
ABSTRACT
The present study aims to record and describe, for the first time, the occurrence of Barsarin Formation in the Barzinja area (northeast of Iraq) and to provide more details on the limestone succession that contains both laminated and nodular massive beds. Sixty eight samples have been collected from this succession from which more than 68 thin sections have been prepared and studied under binocular and polarized microscopes. Based on the thin sections studies and field observations of outcrops, it is proved that both laminated and massive limestones belong to cryptalgal stromatolite. Morphologically, the examined stromatolites can be divided into four types: Planer, Wavy, Columnar and Spheroidal (oncoidal) stromatolites. The first two types occur as laminated limestone, (mat) while the other two types form more or less massive limestone beds. The formation, as a whole was deposited in a semi-closed lagoon (as a part of rimmed shelf) of an attached carbonate platform, which persisted in a low energy lagoon. The laminated and massive limestones were deposited in protected lagoon within intertidal and subtidal environments, respectively. The lower part suffered from short duration of wave agitation and bioturbation, which are represented by occurrence of rip-up clasts around which oncoids are grown.
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PETROGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION OF PHOSPHATE COMPONENTS OF EAST MEDITERRANIAN PHOSPHORITE DEPOSITS
Khaldoun S. Al-Bassam, Asma A. Aba-Hussain, Ibrahim Q. Mohamed and Yehya T. Al-Rawi
Received: 23/ 12/ 2008, Accepted: 9/ 6/ 2009
Key words: Petrography, Phosphorites, Classification, East Mediterranean
(p. 59 – 79)
ABSTRACT
An attempt has been made in this paper to present a classification of phosphorites with precise definition and description of phosphate components based on external shape and internal structure. The proposed classification is the result of macroscopic and microscopic examination of several hundreds phosphorite samples from the East Mediterranean deposits (Late Cretaceous and Paleogene). The classification is designed in the way that can be used to predict depositional environment.
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RARE EARTH ELEMENTS GEOCHEMISTRY OF SOME PALEOCENE CARBONATE FLUORAPATITES FROM IRAQ
Asma A. Aba-Hussain, Khaldoun S. Al-Bassam and Yehya T. Al-Rawi
Received: 19/ 2/ 2009, Accepted: 18/ 11/ 2009
Key words: Rare earth elements, Apatite, Geochemistry, Iraq
(p. 81 – 94)
ABSTRACT
Marine sedimentary phosphorites of Late Cretaceous, Paleocene and Eocene age are wide spread in the Western Desert of Iraq. The Paleocene deposits (Akashat Formation) are the most extensive in thickness and distribution, and are industrially exploited. They are granular phosphorites composed mostly of ooids and peloids, with accessory amounts of coprolites and fish scales. The cementing material is calcite. The phosphate mineralogy is carbonate fluorapatite (francolite).
Rare earth elements, phosphorus and yttrium were analyzed in ten concentrated carbonate fluorapatite samples from the Paleocene phosphorite of Iraq. The concentrated apatites included coprolites, peloids – ooids, bones and teeth. The results show lower REE content relative to average world phosphorites, and the coprolites contained the highest concentrations among the three types of phosphate grains studied, whereas the bioclasts contained the lowest concentrations.
The data were normalized relative to average shale and compared to REE patterns of seawater, and average world phosphorites. The REE patterns of the Iraqi Paleocene apatites are relatively depleted in REE, but they show distribution patterns comparable to seawater and average world phosphorites. The seawater pattern with the negative Ce anomaly of the studied apatites reflects the influence of deep seawater on their origin. Variation in the REE content of the various apatite grains was related to their mode of formation, duration of contact with sea water, mass/surface ratio of the grains, as well as to probable diagenetic alterations.
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MORPHOMETRY AND GENESIS OF THE MAIN TRANSVERSAL GORGES IN NORTH AND NORTHEAST IRAQ
Varoujan K. Sissakian and Mawahib F. Abdul Jabbar
Received: 25/ 5/ 2009, Accepted: 26/ 8/ 2009
Key words: Gorges, Morphometry, Sinuosity, Superimposed, Consequent, Iraq
(p. 95 – 120)
ABSTRACT
The north and northeastern parts of Iraq are mountainous region with very rugged topography that attains to about 3600 m (a.s.l.). Hundreds of streams, of different sizes and types, and few rivers dissect these areas, some of them form gorges along their courses, partly are of canyon type. The main lithology, in the area involved, is very hard carbonate rocks that form the carapace of the mountains (almost anticlines) with soft clastic rocks, filling the synclines in between, rarely clastic rocks occur as intercalations with the carbonates. Some of these streams and rivers dissect the anticlines, oriented almost perpendicularly to the trend of the anticlines that is NW – SE and E – W, forming gorges of different sizes with different characters and origins.
This study is an attempt to reveal the morphometry and genesis of the main gorges in the northern and northeastern parts of Iraq. Twenty two gorges were selected; the selected gorges are the main ones that dissect the whole mountain or the whole anticline (a topographic barrier). Those which exist within part of a mountain and/ or an anticline are not included in this study.
For each of the 22 gorges, the lithology, exposed formation(s) and genesis are given. Moreover, the morphometry of each gorge is given too. These include the longitude and latitude of the inlet and outlet; with their heights, beside the height difference between the highest and lowest points along the gorge, length, gradient and sinuosity of the streams along the gorges.
To achieve this study, geological and topographical maps of different scales were used. Moreover, Landsat images were used to select the main gorges, beside other characters that were acquired from GIS applications and remote sensing techniques. The study revealed that the origin of the main gorges is mainly due to structural effect, one is due to karstification and others are due to blockage of the stream either; by mass movements or alluvial fans. They are of superimposed – posterior type.
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HYDROGEOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE GROUNDWATER WITHIN ABU JIR FAULT ZONE, HIT – KUBAISA REGION, CENTRAL IRAQ
Bayan M. Hussien and Mushtaq A. Gharbie
Received: 4/ 1/ 2009, Accepted: 30/ 9/ 2009
Key words: Hit, Abu Jir, Geochemical evaluation, Flow system, Groundwater, Iraq
(p. 121 – 138)
ABSTRACT
The main theme of the study is to illustrate the groundwater quality in the hydrogeologic system within Abu Jir Fault Zone (Hit – Kubaisa region). The monitoring networks of the groundwater quality and water point locations were determined on the basis of the available previous information. The changes in the chemical composition of the all groundwater in the area were examined to get the spatial distribution of each parameter.
Three groups of factors that govern the groundwater quality in the studied area were determined:
- Mineralogy of the aquifer sediments.
- System of the dissolved load carrying and its relation with the water flow system.
- Hydro-geochemical processes (mixture, dispersion, enrichment and ionic exchange).
The main hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater are presented in detail, regarding their concentration as space variations. The results show great dispersal of the data with dissymmetric distribution.
Special attention was given to ionic ratios, which facilitate the elucidation of the hydrochemical origin of these waters. The classification of the groundwater according to their hydrochemical facies enabled the definition of three main types with dominance of sodic and calcic chlorides, just like the connate water of marine origin and oil field waters mixed with water of meteoric origin. Besides, these waters are from fractured water bearing horizons of Fat'ha, Euphrates, Ana and Baba formations. More salty water could be observed in the discharge zone of deeper horizons in older formations than those of shallow horizons in formations of younger ages.
The physico-chemical parameters of spring waters indicate preferable factors that encourage the use of some of these springs in medical purpose.
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EVALUATION OF SANDS FROM DIBDIBBA FORMATION IN AL-NAJAF PLATEAU, CENTRAL IRAQ, FOR COLORED GLASS MANUFACTURING
Abdul Wahab A. Al-Ajeel, Nawfal A. Hammodi, Suhair Z. Abdulla and Baha'a A. Sabbar
Received: 18/ 2/ 2009, Accepted: 28/ 1/ 2010
Key words: Beneficiation, Silica sand, Glass sand, Scrubbing
(p. 139 – 145)
ABSTRACT
Silica sand samples collected from Dibdibba Formation in Al-Najaf Plateau (NW Al-Najaf and Al-Kifil areas). Their chemical properties and grain size distribution were studied and evaluated for possible utilization in colored glass manufacturing. The overall results revealed, that the sands are not suitable, and required upgrading to provide them as raw material acceptable for the glass industry. In this work, techniques involving screening and attrition scrubbing have been utilized for this purpose. The results obtained indicated that the sands can be beneficiated to the grade that satisfies the requirements of colored glass industry.
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DISCUSSION: STRATIGRAPHY OF THE IRAQI WESTERN DESERT
Karim M. Hassan
(p. 147 – 149)
Reply: STRATIGRAPHY OF THE IRAQI WESTERN DESERT
Varoujan K. Sissakian and Buthaina S. Mohammed
(p. 151 – 153)
البحوث العربي
تقييم الشواذ الإشعاعية المكتشفة في إقليم كوردستان العراق
محمد عبد الأمير مهدي ومهل رشيد عبد الدليمي
الاستلام: 13/ 1/ 2009، القبول: 30/ 9/ 2009
الكلمات الدالة: الخامات المعدنية، الشواهد الإشعاعية، زاكروس، المقتحمات الصهيرية، العراق
(p. 1 – 15)
ASSESSMENT OF RADIOACTIVE ANOMALIES IN KURDISTAN REGION, NORTH AND NORTHEAST IRAQ
Mohammed A. A. Mahdi and Muhal R. Al-Delaimi
ABSTRACT
The results of the geological exploration for the radioactive ore minerals, which were performed during the years 1971 – 1989, showed many interesting localities of radioactive anomalies, linked with thrust faults in N and NE of Kurdistan region, Iraq. There are many possibilities for the presence of interesting mineralizations of radioactive ore minerals, beside the previously proved anomalies. The importance of these mineralizations is referred to: Firstly: the geological nature of the thrust faults and their associations with favorable rocks for hosting radioactive ore minerals, (such as surfacial and shallow magmatic injections and their country rocks). Secondly: many geological evidences reflect high radioactive intensity in the involved rocks.
The radiometric, mineralogical and petrographical properties, showed some radioactive anomalies reaching up to 3500 C/S, with uranium and thorium concentrations, reaching up to 2640 ppm and 30500 ppm, respectively in veins of pegmatite – granite. Radioactive minerals had been discovered in some localities within Qalat Diza, like Jabal Shachi Rash, Jabal Dupezch, Kani Mewish, Nessi, Kelikaboy, as well as pegmatite – granite veins and marble – olivine, marble – serpentine rocks, with consistent enrichment of uranium in granite and other acidic igneous rocks. The enrichment may be partly due to diadochic substitution of uranium for zirconium. The results indicate that uranium in Qalat Diza localities migrated outside their host rocks, except in Dupezch locality, where the migration was towards inside of the rocks.
In Penjwin area, the radioactive intensity was measured to be in range of (200 – 800) C/S, with 40 ppm uranium concentration, which is related to the increase of iron concentration in the rocks. No interesting radioactive anomalies were detected in areas of Rayat – Galala and Zahko, except those identified in calcareous rocks and black shale, which reach up to 400 C/S, with 60 ppm uranium concentration in black shale, near Barsarin village, which is connected with organic materials.
As a result of these studies, it is concluded that the area of Qalat Diza is the most promising and interesting area for further exploration, the radioactive intensities are connected with the rocks nature, type of faulting and their extensions with depth. Therefore, it is recommended to execute detailed exploration, especially in Qalat Diza, to study types of the faults that hausted the radioactive ores and to execute subsurface exploration by oriented drilling to follow-up the radioactive rock veins, in depth. It is also possible to use the radon emission method to identify the subsurface mineralization localities to discover the possible minerals, in depth.
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تحليل استقرارية المنحدرات الصخرية المحيطة بمنطقة شقلاوة، شمال شرق العراق
لؤي داود يوسف وسعد نعمان السعدي
الاستلام:13/ 1/ 2009، القبول: 30/ 9/ 2009
الكلمات الدالة: استقرارية، المنحدرات، حركات الانهيال، الانزلاق، العراق
(p. 17 – 30)
STABILITY ANALYSIS OF ROCK SLOPES AROUND SHAQLAWA VICINITY, NORTH IRAQ
Luay D. Yousif and Sa'ad N. Al-Saadi
ABSTRACT
Engineering geological study of rock slopes stability analyses, around Shaqlawa vicinity, which suffer from consequent failures, due to weathering factors; natural and artificial, that threatened roads, houses and tourism structures by those failure hazards. Twenty three stations were studied along rock slopes of Shiranish, Tanjero, Kolosh, Gercus and Pila Spi formations in Shaqlawa vicinity, according to failure frequency and existence of slopes nearby to roads, houses and tourism structures that could be affected.
The slopes were classified and analyzed by using stereographic projection technique, the results showed that: On rock slopes of Shiranish Formation, plain sliding along bedding planes is the predominant, due to the concordance of the bedding planes with the slope direction, but with less inclination angle. The clastic rock slopes of Tanjero and Kolosh formations and siltstone and marl beds of Gercus Formation are close to be stable, because they have no favorable discontinuities to slide along with, and they are suffering only with granular disintegration by weathering into small (less than 0.05 m) fragments. While on rock slopes of Pila Spi and Gercus (dolomite and sandstone beds, respectively) formations, the wedge sliding, along discontinuity intersections, that dip with the slope by the same direction but with less inclination angle, are the most prominent, followed by plane sliding, toppling and rock fall; by decreasing frequency.
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مكاملة نظم المعلومات الجغرافية مع مرئيات التحسس النائي لتحديد الشواهد المعدنية في منطقة حلبجة، شمال شرق العراق
أرسلان احمد الجاف ومحمد عبد المحسن العزاوي
الاستلام: 13/ 1/ 2009، القبول: 30/ 9/ 2009
الكلمات الدالة: التحسس النائي، قسمة الحزم، حد العتبة، الشواهد المعدنية، حلبجة
(p. 31 – 46)
INTEGRATION OF REMOTE SENSING IMAGES AND GIS TECHNIQUES TO LOCATE THE MINERAL SHOWINGS IN HALABJA AREA, NE IRAQ
Arsalan A. Al-Jaf and Mohammad A. Al-Azawy
ABSTRACT
This research aims to study the mineral showings in Halabja area, which is located in the northeastern part of Iraq, using satellite data received from ETM sensor that borne on Landsat 7 satellites depending on band rationing mean bands, band ratio color composite and threshold techniques. After preparing the satellite data, of the research area, spectral enhancement was carried out represented by band ratio 3/1 and 5/1 with maximum value that reached to 1.71 and 2.48, respectively; in order to distinguish the rocks that contain iron oxide and mean bands image (B2+B3+B4+B5)/4 which reached to 193 from gray scale value that equals 256 to determine the high purity limestone using ERDAS IMAGINE V- 9.1 program.Binary images were produced using Arc GIS 9.1 to determine the potential deposit area. Nine samples were collected from the exposed rocks in seven locations to know the concentration ratio of the chemical composition of iron oxide in areas, which were selected by using band ratio images 3/1 and 5/1 that have threshold values more than 1.69 and 1.9 respectively, and CaO concentration in the area, which was selected by using the mean bands image (B2+B3+B4+B5)/4 that have threshold value more than 144 for checking the deduced results from the satellite images.
In this research, the possibility of auto-conversion of ArcGIS 9.1 software to change the raster to vector structure was used to determine the coordinates of potential area centres. This research has proved that there are direct proportions between the 3/1 and 5/1 bands ratio with the concentration of the iron in the rocks, and between the mean bands 2, 3, 4 and 5 with the CaO concentration.
The result of the image processing shows that probably the best area with iron oxide is located in the south of Halabja, while the best area with high purity limestone is located west and northwest of Derbandi Khan Lake.
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