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Mineralogy of Saudi Arabian Soils: Eastern Region
Author(s) -
Lee S. Y.,
Dixon J. B.,
AbaHusayn M. M.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700020030x
Subject(s) - palygorskite , clay minerals , geology , chlorite , kaolinite , soil water , calcite , gypsum , silicate , geochemistry , vermiculite , illite , mineralogy , parent rock , mineral , weathering , soil science , quartz , chemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry
Mineralogical properties of soils along a 500 km east‐west transect of an eastern province of Saudi Arabia were examined. Mineralogical composition of soils along the eastern coastal playa near Al Qatif is mostly gypsum or calcite in the whole soil, and smectite among layer silicate minerals in the clay fraction (< 2µm). In soils of the Harad area palygorskite and smectite are the major layer silicate minerals. In the Al Kharj area kaolinite and smectite are the major clay minerals. Small amounts of chlorite occur in all soils studied although it varies in thermal stability and the amount is very small in Al Kharj 11 and Al Kharj Mountain surface soils. In the entire eastern region mica and vermiculite are present in the soil clays. The results of transmission electron microscopy and x‐ray diffraction analyses show that acicular palygorskite is widely distributed in the eastern‐region soils. Palygorskite is believed to originate from the underlying Mio‐Pliocene limestone in the basin, and to be redistributed by alluvial and eolian processes.