THE FACTORS CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION OF CARBONATE CONTENT IN THE RECENT BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF ONE LAKE FROM THE WADI EL RA YAN LAKES, EL-FAYiUM DEPRESSION, EGYPT

Abstract

The present study was conducted to throw more light on the

distribution of carbonate materials contained in the Recent sediments ofthe first lake (northern lake )from the Wadi El-Rayan lakes, as a tool explaining environment, and relate this distribution to the factors affecting composition. Wadi El- Rayan is one of three depressions constituting the Fayium area. These depressions are Wadi El- Muweilih at the extreme south, the Wadi El- Rayan in the middle and the Birket Qarun to the north. Wadi El-Rayan is a small and shallow depression located in the Western Desert. It comprises two distinct lakes, the first (northern lake)has an area of about 63 km and the second ( southern lake )has an area of about 84 km separated by elongate water body looks like lake . They have a

coordinates lies between latitudes of29° 5'N and 2lTN & longitudes of

30° 21'E and 30° 32' E.

The geomorphologic features of the studied lake are referred to wind deflation and a depth varies between 0 and 22 meters. The bottom configuration of the studied lake shows that the middle part of the studied lake is characterized by concentric shape looks like basin ,which is considered as a deeper portion of the lake . The area under investigation has an arid climate, (hot and dry with scanty winter rain and bright sunshine throughout the year). The prevailing winds are flow from north-northwest most of the year. The average wind speed in autumn, winter, spring and summer is 3.9 Knot /h, 3.9 Knot /h, 6.3 Knot /h ,and 6.3 knot /h, respectively .