IRAQI BULLETIN OF GEOLOGY AND MINING
مجلة الجيولوجيا والتعدين العراقية
ISSN 1811 - 4539
اهداف ومجال النشر تعليمات النشر للمؤلفات البحوث المنشورة هيئة التحرير
GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS IN IRAQ, CLASSIFICATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Varoujan K. Sissakian, Ayda D. Abdul Ahad and Amal T. Hamid
Received: 16/ 05/ 2010, Accepted: 02/ 08/ 2010
Key words: Geological hazards, Lives loss, Classification of hazards, Floods, Iraq
(p. 1 – 28)
ABSTRACT
The recorded geological hazards in different parts of Iraq are of 15 types. Although they are not well recorded and documented, but still a series of Geological Hazard Maps at scale of 1: 250 000 is compiled in the State Company of Geological Survey and Mining (GEOSURV) that covers the whole Iraqi territory in 39 quadrangles. Moreover, Geological Hazards Map of Iraq at scale of 1: 1000 000 is compiled too. Each of those maps is enclosed by a report in which the existing geological hazards are documented, zoned and ranked. Except the data of GEOSURV, and seismicity and meteorology, almost no other geological hazards data are available, in Iraq.
This study depends mainly on the aforementioned maps, beside the available data concerning the geological hazards, like historical books, journals and field observation. Each type is zoned according to its Time of Occurrence and Intensity of Damages caused, consequently a weight is given, which differs in different areas, in Iraq, for the same type. The geological hazards are ranked according to the given weights, their distribution and total scored weights, in different parts of Iraq are demonstrated statistically.
For each of the 15 recorded types of the geological hazards, examples are given, with documented damages in properties and lives lost. The damages and lives loss are also statistically demonstrated. Many hot spots were found in different parts of Iraq. The most dangerous and effective geological hazard was found to be the floods, in rivers and valleys, whereas the least effective one was found to be the Tectonic active areas. Two new classifications for the geological hazards are introduced. The natural radiation hazards are excluded from this study.
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A NEW RECORD OF RADIOLARIAN SPECIES (Dictyomitra multicostata) INDICATING THE EARLY BERRIASIAN STAGE WITHIN THE CHIA GARA FORMATION, IN SULAIMANIYAH, NORTHEAST IRAQ
Sahira A. Karim and Kifah N. Al-Kubaysi
Received: 27/ 05/ 2009, Accepted: 30/ 08/ 2010
Key words: Chia Gara Formation, Berriasian, Radiolaria, Surdash anticline
(p. 29 – 37)
ABSTRACT
The Late Tithonian – Berriasian radiolarians of Chia Gara Formation were identified by studying 9 samples from outcrop section (KO/74/690) in the northeastern limb of Surdash Anticline at north of Sulaimaniyah city, northeast Iraq. The samples collected by the filed geologists of GEOSURV during 2008. Three formations are exposed in the section, (from bottom to top) Barsarin Formation; composed of fine crystalline dolomite rich with algal srtomatolites, Chia Gara Formation; composed of radiolarian clayey limestone, and Balambo Formation; composed of highly dolomitized limestone. An important Berriasian species of Radiolaria (Dictyomitra multicostata Zittli) was found and recorded for the first time within the Chia Gara Formation marking the beginning of the Early Cretaceous Epoch. Abundant Radiolarias in the studied samples indicate basinal marine environment; also the presence of Radiolaria and chert horizons in the formation represent the close relation with the Qulqula Radiolarian Series.
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PETROLOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF SOME EXOTIC ROCK FRAGMENTS FROM JABAL SANAM, BASRAH, IRAQ
Khaldoun S. Al-Bassam
Received: 26/ 08/ 2010, Accepted: 29/ 12/ 2010
Key words: Hormuz Series, Sanam, Salt plug, Iraq
(p. 39 – 53)
ABSTRACT
Petrologic and chemical analyses of 16 exotic rock samples collected from Sanam salt plug in southern Iraq showed igneous and sedimentary rocks of various types and origins. Highly magnesian igneous rock samples with forsterite composition of (Fo 90 – 92) mole% are the only igneous rock type found in this study. They are highly serpentinized and the alteration minerals are antigorite and talc. This is a mantle-derived subvolcanic rock, fragmented and brought to surface with the rising salt diapir.
Dark gray dolomite with possible stromatolitic structures is one of the common rock types at the Sanam plug. It is fine crystalline and partly silicified. It was probably precipitated in reducing environment on the flanks of the salt basin. Some pure recrystallized calcitic limestones were also recognized and seem to be of chemogenic origin; as parts of vein fillings.
Shale, with illite, as dominant clay mineral, and quartz with minor kaolinite and montmorillonite may represent ancient fluvial deposits. One sample was identified as silicified ferruginous mudstone with peculiar mineral composition of orthoclase, quartz, illite, hematite, goethite, gypsum and jarosite. The origin of this rock may be volcanic and include initial mud rich in feldspar, which was indurated and altered by microbial Fe precipitation and enrichment via colloidal state, gypsum cement was introduced later and silicification followed.
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SEDIMENTARY FACIES AND ENVIRONMENTS OF SHARI PLAYA, CENTRAL IRAQ
Yehya T. Al-Rawi, Rafaa Z. Jassim and Habib R. Habib
Received: 15/ 09/ 2008, Accepted: 02/ 08/ 2010
Key words: Shari Playa, Sedimentary facies, Glauberite, Sodium Sulphate, Iraq
(p. 55 – 65)
ABSTRACT
Shari Playa, which is the only source of natural sodium sulphate in Iraq, is a longitudinal closed basin located about 150 Km to the north of Baghdad, Central Iraq. The playa receives its sediments from major ephemeral streams originated from Himreen Mountain, which surrounds the playa from the northeast and east, forming a seasonal lake. Most streams passes through sand dunes located between Himreen Mountain and the playa. The sediments brought by these ephemeral streams developed seven sedimentary facies, which are vertically and laterally interrelated, deposited in five sedimentary sub-environments over the underlying Clastic Substrata Facies. These include the salt bearing facies group (salt crust, black mud, glauberite-rich mud and gypsum-rich mud), Sand – Silt Facies, Coarse Sand Facies and Windblown Sand Facies. Their thickness are generally wedging out towards the periphery. The sediments distribution and geometry indicate that the playa is a subsiding N – S oriented graben.
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Rb-Sr AND Sm-Nd ISOTOPES STUDY OF SERPENTINITES AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE TECTONIC SETTING OF ZAGROS SUTURE ZONE, NE IRAQ
Nabaz R. Aziz, Elias M. Elias and Khalid J. Aswad
Received: 13/ 05/ 2010, Accepted: 28/ 10/ 2010
Key words: Serpentine, Isotope, Zagros Suture Zone, Kurdistan Region Iraq
(p. 67 – 75)
ABSTRACT
In an attempt to establish a chronology for serpentinite rocks, from various areas along the line of the Zagros Suture Zone (NE Iraq), Sr-Nd isotopic studies have been carried out on selected samples collected from an association of ophiolite suite and ophiolitic mélange samples. Sr model ages of (80 – 110) Ma for three ophiolite suite samples are concordant with previous K-Ar ages of (97 – 118) Ma and may indicate ophiolite formation and/ or serpentinization above an intra-oceanic suprasubduction zone of island-arc affinity (fore-arc) during the Albian – Cenomanian. A profound Rb-Sr age variation of (150 – 770) Ma is due to the effect of mélange phenomenon on ophiolitic serpentinites (imbricate), tectonically associated with intraoceanic suprasubduction zone (~ Late Maastrichtian) of Walash volcano – sedimentary sequence of island-arc affinity. The Sr and εNd isotopic composition suggests that the source of serpentinite is enriched-upper mantle, which with time had developed an isotopic heterogeneity. The probable age of emplacement of serpentinites associated with ophiolite massif was ~ 30 Ma, while ophiolitic mélange serpentinites were emplaced post Paleocene – Eocene.
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BIOBENEFICATION OF SILICA SAND FOR CRYSTAL GLASS INDUSTRY FROM ARDHUMA LOCATION, IRAQI WESTERN DESERT
Ala'a M.K. Mustafa, Noor D. Bader, Tanya V. Khachiek, Ibtihal K. Fleah and Ibtisam G. Issa
Received: 23/ 8/ 2010, Accepted: 28/ 11/ 2010
Key words: Crystal glass, Biobenefication, Bioleaching, Silica sand, Ardhuma deposit
(p. 77 – 86)
ABSTRACT
Silica sand from Ardhuma deposit in the Iraqi Western Desert has been biobeneficiated using mold Aspergillus niger to enhance its chemical properties, especially that associated with the removal of iron oxide impurities. The biobeneficiated silica sand obtained matches the required Fe2O3% level for crystal glass industry, which is less than 0.01%. The efficiency of Fe2O3 removal by bioleaching process; alone was 79.1%, the Fe2O3 content was 0.0125%. Whereas, combination of magnetic separation and bioleaching have improved the removal efficiency to 85.8%. The Fe2O3 obtained was 0.0085%. Silica sand produced by this approach have very low iron oxide content thus, it can be used for optical and crystal glass, as well as solar cell and semiconductors. The cost of bioleaching process was largely minimized as an alternative non-expensive source of carbon, which is Date extract used instead of highly expensive glucose.
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SCIENTIFIC NOTE: A RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY OF Cd CONTENT IN KIDNEY STONES OF IRAQI PATIENTS
Khaldoun S. Al-Bassam, Arwa Sh. Taka
(p. 87 – 91)
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SCIENTIFIC NOTE: THE ORIGIN OF AMADIYA PLATEAU, DOHUK GOVERNORATE, NORTH IRAQ
Varoujan K. Sissakian and Saffa F. Fouad
(p. 93 – 98)
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