MINERALOGY AND RADIOACTIVITY STUDIES OF WADI ABU HAMUR-SAFAGA STREAM SEDIMENTS, CENTRAL EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

The studied area covered by igneous and metamorphic rocks represented by Metagabbro, Metavolcanic,
Older Granite, Dokhan Volcanics, Hammamat Sediments, and Younger Granite. Faults are essential
structural features in the study area. The strike-slip faults of NW trends are right-lateral, while those of
E-W, NE, and NNE trends are left-lateral faults. The normal faults are only preserved on a minor scale
along these strike-slip faults represented by nearly vertical slicken-sides that indicate substantial vertical
displacement.
The grain size analysis and its distribution is a fundamental descriptive measure of clastic sediments.
The results of statistical parameters a graphic mean (Mz) ranging from 0.04f to 1.8f, which means that it
lies in coarse and medium sand size classes represented by 70% and 30%, respectively; inclusive graphic
standard deviation (I) ranging from 0.88 to 1.8. The samples could be categorized in the poorly sorted
class and moderately sorted represented by 75% and 25%, respectively; inclusive graphic Skewness (SkI)
ranging from 0.03 to 0.33, the samples could be categorized in fine skewed, near symmetrical, and strongly
fine skewed classes represented by 55% ,40%, and 5%, respectively. Inclusive graphic Kurtosis (Kg)
ranging from 0.68 to 2.05, the samples could be categorized in the platykurtic; mesokurtic, very lepto kurtic
and lepto kurtic classes represented by 35% , 25% , 15% and 25%, respectively.
The average content of total heavy minerals is 4.5% while the heavy content is ranging from 2%
and 10.5%. Opaque minerals represented by magnetite, hematite, ilmenite constituents have an average
of 1.07 %, 0.1 %, and 0.286%, respectively. Abrasive minerals as garnet constituents has an average
of 0.13%, and pigment minerals as rutile and titanite constituents have an average of 0.188%, and
0.23%, respectively. Radioactive minerals as fluorites, zircon, and thorite constituents have an average
of 0.0075%, 0.184%, and 0.001 %, respectively. Amphiboles and pyroxene constituents range from 0.1%
to 3.78% with an average of 2.22 %. The eU contents range between 1 and 4ppm with an average of
1.76ppm, while eTh is between 2 and 29 ppm with an average of 10.75ppm. The average Ra average
content for these sediments is 2.89 ppm, while the average content of K% is 1.16%.