The mineralogy and chemistry of fine-grained sediments, Morphou Bay, Cyprus

Abstract

The mineralogy and chemistry of the less than 20µm fraction of marine sediments at Morphou Bay, north-west Cyprus, are presented to characterise fine-grained sediment supplies from basic and ultrabasic rocks of the Troodos Massif within a typological setting. The sediments comprise a mixture of smectite, illite, kaolinite and iron rich chlorite. They also contain amorphous iron oxides/hydroxides, calcite (with some magnesium substitution for calcium) and an amphibole. Spatial patterns in mineralogy occur: the near-shore sediments are rich in smectite, chlorite, amphibole and amorphous iron oxides/hydroxides, while the offshore sediments are rich in illite and calcite. The sediments are calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminium and potassium bearing, due to the presence of significant amounts of calcite (for Ca), clay minerals and aluminium and iron oxides/hydroxides. Potassium is present within the micaceous mineral illite, but it is also contained within other phases that are difficult to pinpoint. Statistical analysis reveals that the chemical composition of the sediments broadly follows the mineralogy with the dominant feature being related to spatial changes in the mineralogy. The patterns of change reflect a three component mix of claysized sediment types: (1) localised lithogenous sources rich in smectite with subsidiary amounts of amorphous iron oxides/hydroxides and amphibole, from Cyprus, the Troodos in particular, (2) illite rich and smectite chlorite and chlorite bearing material of lithogenous origin from other parts of the eastern Mediterranean and (3) calcite, mainly of marine origin.

Integrated geological, petrologic and geochemical approach to establish source material and technology of Late Cypriot Bronze Age Plain White ware ceramics

“…Morphologically, the Mesaoria Plain lies at a maximum height of 300 m.a.s.l (metres above sea level) and is bounded by the Kyrenia range to the north, with elevations of up to 910, and the Troodos massif to the south, with heights of up to 1940 m.a.s.l. (Neal, 2002).…”

Assessment of trace metal contamination in a historical freshwater canal (Buckingham Canal), Chennai, India

“…4). Potassium will be associated with clay minerals, illite in particular, rather than in the calcite lattice (Neal 2002). Potassium and Al are associated with clay minerals and Sr has a close relationship with these two metals indicating that these three metals derive from a natural geogenic source rather than an anthropogenic one.…”

Spatial Distribution Patterns, Sources of Heavy Metals, and Relation to Ecological Risk of Surface Sediments of the Cyprus Northern Shelf (Eastern Mediterranean)

“…The results showed that relatively higher metal concentrations were obtained at Gazi Magusa area. Moreover, it was reported that the highest Ni values at Girne area could be due to the transported erosion products coming from the surroundings of the ophiolithic rocks at Cyprus (Neal, 2002).…”