Chemical and mineralogical features of the shale deposits in Abo-Thor region, South West Sinai peninsula [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

The current investigation was conducted to estimate the chemical mineralogical characteristics of shale deposits of Abo-Thor area, south west of Sinai Peninsula with the aim of determining the most suitable use of these shale deposits. X- ray diffraction pattern of the clay fraction of the sample revealed the dominance of kaolinite mineral followed by hydrous mica (illite), while the accessory minerals were dominated by quartz. The textural class of the investigated sample was a sandy clay loam of about 17.25% clay, 24.95% silt and 57.8% sand. The EC was excessively high (38.2dSm), the soluble cations were dominated by Na⁺ and Mg²⁺. while the soluble anions were dominated by Cr. Percentages of the major oxides of SiO2, AL2O3, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MgO, CaO, Na₂O. K₂O, P₂O₅ were 27.5, 11.7, 18.2,0.22, 13.3,4.9,2.2, 1.4 and 0.4%, respectively. Thus, the aforementioned results indicate that the investigated shale deposits are more suitable for industrial purposes such as civil engineering works.

Summary in Arabic.

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