GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY EVAPORITES AND EVAPORITE-BEARING SEDIMENTS IN THE BITTER LAKES, EGYPT

Abstract

The present work is concernd with the geology and mineralogy of evaporites and evaporite-bearing sediments in the Bitter Lakes, Suez Canal area. The target of this work was achieved through the laboratory and field studies. The laboratory studies made on samples collected from 22 shallow boreholes drilled in the Bitter lakes during the first stage of development the Suez Canal in 1975. The study area; the Bitter Lakes and their environs, is about 500 km; and is approximately bounded between latitudes 30°9'and 30°26'N, and longitudes 32°17'and 32°35' E. The Bitter Lakes are located, according to the kilometric scale of the Suez Canal, between km 99.870; at El-Deversoir, and km 130.580, at Gineifa, The general geological view of the study area and their sediments was achieved through field survey, the constructed geological map, shallow refraction seismic investigation, and the stratigraphical and cross sections. The Bitter Lakes basin was originated as being part of the Clysmic Gulf that represents the first phase of opening along the Red Sea-Suez Rift during Late Oligocene-Early Miocene period. The Bitter and Timash Lakes could be defined as autochtonous permanent laKes occur in low-lying terrain temporate and warm humid climates. The general geological view of the study area and their sediments was achieved through field survey, the constructed geological map, shallow refraction seismic investigation, and the stratigraphical and cross sections. The Bitter Lakes basin was originated as being part of the Clysmic Gulf that represents the first phase of opening along the Red Sea-Suez Rift during Late Oligocene-Early Miocene period. The Bitter and Timash Lakes could be defined as autochtonous permanent laKes occur in low-lying terrain temporate and warm humid climates.