The Persian Gulf: Holocene Carbonate Sedimentation and Diagenesis in a Shallow Epicontinental Sea

469 Pages·1973·20.023 MB·English

by  B. H. Purser, E. Seibold (auth.), Bruce H. Purser (eds.)

The Persian Gulf
Holocene Carbonate Sedimentation and Diagenesis
in a Shallow Epicontinental Sea
Edited by
B. H. Purser
With 250 Figures, 7 Plates and 3 Maps
Springer-Verlag
Berlin . Heidelberg . N ew York 1973
Bruce H. Purser
Laboratoire de Geologie Historique
Faculte des Sciences
Universite de Paris Sud
91-0rsay/France
ISBN-13: 978-3-642-65547-0 e-ISBN-13: 978-3-642-65545-6
DOl: 10.1007/978-3-642-65545-6
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part
of the material is concerned, specifically those of translation, reprinting, re-use of
illustrations, broadcasting, reproduction by photocopying machine or similar means,
and storage in data banks.
Under § 54 of the German Copyright Law where copies are made for other than private
use, a fee is payable to the publisher, the amount of the fee to be determined by
agreement with the publisher.
The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even
in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
© by Springer-Verlag Berlin' Heidelberg 1973. Library of Congress Catalog Card
Number 72·97023. Offsetprinting: J uli us Beltz, Hemsbach/Bergstr.
Bookbinding: Konrad Triltsch, Graphischer Betrieb, Wiirzburg, Germany.
Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover 1s t edition 1973
The Gulf
Persian
Holocene Carbonate Sedimentation and Diagenesis
in a Shallow Epicontinental Sea
Edited by
B. H. Purser
With 250 Figures, 7 Plates and 3 Maps
Springer-Verlag
New York . Heidelberg· Berlin 1973
Bruce H. Purser
Laboratoire de Geologie Historique
Faculte des Sciences
Universite de Paris Sud
91-0rsay/France
ISBN-13: 978-3-642-65547-0 e-ISBN-13: 978-3-642-65545-6
DOl: 10.1007/978-3-642-65545-6
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part
of the material is concerned, specifically those of translation, reprinting, re-use of
illustrations, broadcasting, reproduction by photocopying machine or similar means,
and storage in data banks.
Under § 54 of the German Copyright Law where copies are made for other than private
use, a fee is payable to the publisher, the amount of the fee to be determined by
agreement with the publisher.
The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even
in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
© by Springer-Verlag Berlin· Heidelberg 1973. Library of Congress Catalog Card
Number 72-97023. Offsetprinting: Julius Beltz, Hemsbach/Bergstr.
Bookbinding: Konrad Triltsch, Graphischer Betrieb, Wiirzburg, Germany.
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t edition 1973
Introduction
This volume, although not an integrated synthesis, treats most aspects of Holocene sedimenta
tion and diagenesis in the Persian Gulf, grouping 22 contributions under a single cover and in one
language. Because these sediments and diagenetic minerals are comparable to those existing in many
ancient sedimentary basins, their appraisal should be of value to the enlarging group of workers
who interpret ancient sedimentary rocks.
The essential morphological, climatic and oceanographic factors determining Holocene sedimen
tation and diagenesis in the Persian Gulf are summarized in the introductory article by PURSER and
SEIBOLD. These environmental controls and the overall morphology of the Persian Gulf have much
in common with Shark Bay, Western Australia, described by LOGAN et al. (1970). On the other
hand, the Persian Gulf is markedly different from the better known Florida and Bahamian prov
inces; the floor of the Persian Gulf is gently inclined from continental shoreline to bathymetric axis
(80-100 m); the Bahamian province, on the other hand, is horizontal and extremely shallow
(2-10 m), with very sharply defined shelf edges surrounded by deep oceanic waters. These contrast
ing architectural styles are related to different tectonic frames. The Persian Gulf, at least in its
Iranian half, is strongly affected by a late Tertiary fold system which determines the regional outline
of the basin, the inclination of its sea floor, and the orientation of its bathymetric axis; the Bahamian
and Florida morphologies are only remotely influenced by underlying tectonic systems, their char
acteristic "shelf" morphologies being the consequence of accretion to sea level under stable tectonic
conditions. Because of these contrasting morphologies, regional sediment patterns in the Persian
Gulf and Bahamas are quite distinct. '
Major differences in the diagenetic properties of the Persian Gulf and Caribbean Holocene
sediments are related mainly to differing climatic factors. The hot, arid climate of the Middle East
stimulates the formation of evaporitic minerals, including widespread dolomite. The cooler, some
what wetter Caribbean climate does not favour evaporites, and dolomite seems to be less widely
distributed. These climatic differences are probably reflected also in the rates of carbonate mineral
stabilization.
In sum, the processes and patterns of Holocene carbonate sedimentation and diagenesis differ
markedly from one province to another. Consequently, effective interpretation of ancient analogues
requires a sound understanding not only of the modern "carbonate shelf" provinces typified by
the Caribbean area, but also of the shallow epicontinental basins with gently sloping floors, such as
Shark Bay and the Persian Gulf.
Of the 31 authors comprising 9 nationalities who have contributed to this volume, 23 are
associated with one or other of three organizations:
The Kiel University group under the leadership of Professor E. SEIBOLD had carried out exten
sive surveys in the Gulf of Oman and within the Iranian parts of the Persian Gulf. Their results,
published mainly in the "Meteor" Forschungsergebnisse (1969-1972) give abundant data concern
ing the oceanography of the basin. Detailed sedimentological and ecological studies are confined
essentially to the deeper parts of the Persian Gulf. New information relating to these marly sediments
is given by SEIBOLD et al., MELGUEN, and SARNTHEIN and WALGER, in this book.
The Imperial College of London group has carried out extensive research, mainly along the
Trucial Coast during the period 1961-1968. This work was initiated by G. EVANS and D. J.
SHEARMAN and directed subsequently by G. EVANS; its results are expressed mainly in the form of
VI
doctoral theses. Various aspects have been published by BUSH (1970), BUTLER (1969), EVANS (1970),
EVANS et al. (1964, 1969, etc.), KENDALL and SKIPWITH (1968), KINSMAN (1964, etc.), MURRAY
(1965, etc.), and SHEARMAN (1963, etc.). Their most significant contributions include detailed
studies of the relationships between sabkha diagenesis and water chemistry, and coastal sedimenta
tion and ecology; lagoonal Foraminifera, in particular, have been treated in considerable detail.
Additional results concerning sabkha diagenesis are offered by BUTLER, BUTLER et aI., and BUSH,
while coastal sedimentation and ecology are treated by EVANS et aI., in this volume.
Shell Research B. V. (Kon. Shell Exploratie en Produktie Laboratorium, Rijswijk, The Nether
lands) has concentrated its research around Qatar Peninsula but has also carried out regional
surveys throughout most of the Arabian half of the basin. Initial results were published by Hou
J.
BOLT (1957). The project was continued by A. WELLS in collaboration with Illing Associates,
their studies of Recent dolomite, evaporites and beach roc~s beint; published by WELLS (1962),
ILLING et al. (1965), and TAYLOR and ILLING (1969). The results of subsequent research directed by
B. H. PURSER are presented in this volume by EVAMY, DE GROOT, HUGHES CLARKE and KEIJ,
KASSLER, PURSER, SHINN, and WAGNER and VAN DER TOGT.
The objectives of the Shell Research group differed somewhat from those of the Kiel and Im
perial College groups. Being an oil company, much of Shell's research was directed towards the
establishment of the basic aspects of modern sedimentation and diagenesis which would aid in the
understanding and exploitation of certain hydrocarbon reservoirs; this research tends to evaluate
the forest without identifying all the species composing it. The different styles of research employed
by the respective university and oil company groups are apparent in their contributions to this
volume; both have their virtues.
Although the greater part of research in the Persian Gulf has been carried out by the three
groups mentioned above, significant contributions to this volume include those of Hsu and SCHNEI
DER of the Poly technical Institute of Zurich, KUKAL and SAADALLAH of the Central Geological
Survey, Prague and the University of Baghdad respectively, and by LOREAU (and PURSER) of the
Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris.
Six of the contributions were presented orally, and as printed abstracts, at the VIII Inter
national Sedimentological Congress (Heidelberg) in September, 1971. It should be stressed, however,
that although much data relating to the Holocene sediments of the Persian Gulf has already been
published, the new material presented here constitutes the first attempt to group results. This co
ordination enables readers for the first time to obtain an overall picture of this basin.
In conclusion, on behalf of all contributors to this volume, I would like to thank the following
persons and organizations who have contributed in many nonsedimentological ways to the under
standing of sedimentation and diagenesis in the Persian Gulf:
the Rulers and Governments of virtually all states bordering the Persian/Arabian Gulf for per
mission to work within their territorial waters and coasts;
H. V. DUNNINGTON and the staff of Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company for generous help to
Imperial College personnel and to myself and my colleagues J.-P. LOREAU and K. J. Hsu;
- LUDWIG HAPPEL of Munich who, as head of geological research for Shell (Rijswijk), encouraged
both his own staff - including myself - and the researchers of Imperial College, London;
- Huntings Air Services for use of aerial photographs, certain of which are reproduced in this
volume;
- Dr. KONRAD F. SPRINGER and his staff for their very active support.
I would also like to offer my personal thanks not only to my fellow-contributors for their co
operation in producing this symposium, but more especially to my colleagues who shared the oc
casional pleasures and numerous discomforts of the long months of fieldwork in the Persian Gulf.
Orsay, March 1973 BRUCE H. PURSER
Contents
PURSER, B. H. and SEIBOLD, E.: The Principal Environmental Factors Influencing Holocene
Sedimentation and Diagenesis in the Persian Gulf . . . ... . .. .. .. . ..... .
KASSLER, P.: The Structural and Geomorphic Evolution of the Persian Gulf ........ 11
HUGHES CLARKE, M. W. and KEIJ, A. J.: Organisms as Producers of Carbonate Sediment and
Indicators of Environment in the Southern Persian Gulf ................. 33
SEIBOLD, E., DIESTER, L., FUTTERER, D., LANGE, H., MULLER, P., and WERNFR. F.: Holo-
cene Sediments and Sedimentary Processes in the Iranian Part of the Persian Gulf. . .. 57
SARNTHEIN, M. and W ALGER, E.: Classification of Modern Marl Sediments in the Persian
Gulf by Factor Analysis ............................ . .. . .. 81
MELGUEN, M.: Correspondence Analysis for Recognition of Facies in Homogeneous Sedi-
ments off an Iranian River Mouth ............................. 99
KUKAL, Z. and SAADALLAH, A.: Aeolian Admixtures in the Sediments of the Northern Per-
sian Gulf ......... .... . . .... . ....... . ...... ... ... . . 115
c.:
WAGNER, C. W. and VAN DER TOGT, Holocene Sediment Types and Their Distribution in
the Southern Persian Gulf . .. ... . .. ... ........... . ......... 123
PURSER, B. H.: Sedimentation around Bathymetric Highs in the Southern Persian Gulf . .. 157
SHINN, E. A.: Carbonate Coastal Accretion in an Area of Longshore Transport, NE Qatar,
Persian Gulf .............. .. ...................... . . 179
SHINN, E. A.: Rl'L'l'nt Intertidal and Nearshore Carbonate Sedimentation around Rock Highs,
E Qatar, Persian Gulf ............................ . .... . . 193
SHINN, E. A.: Sedimentary Accretion along the Leeward, SE Coast of Qatar Peninsula, Per-
sian Gulf .. . .... . ........................... . ...... 199
PURSER, B. H. and EVANS, G.: Regional Sedimentation along the Trucial Coast, SE Persian
Gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.1 . . . . . . . .
EVANS, G., MURRAY, J. W., BIGGS, H. E. J., BATE, R., and BUSH, P. R.: The Oceanography,
Ecology, Sedimentology and Geomorphology of Parts of the Trucial Coast Barrier Island
Complex, Persian Gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.3 .
LaREAU, J.-P. and PURSER, B. H.: Distribution and Ultrastructure of Holocene Ooids in the
Persian Gulf ......... .. .... . ........ .. ..... . . . ...... 279
EVAMY, B. D.: The Precipitation of Aragonite and Its Alteration to Calcite on the Trucial
Coast of the Persian Gulf ...... . ............ . ... . .. . ...... 329
PURSER, B. H. and LaREAU, J.-P.: Aragonitic, Supratidal Encrustations on the Trucial Coast,
Persian Gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 343
DE GROOT, K.: Geochemistry of Tidal Flat Brines at Umm Said, SE Qatar, Persian Gulf.. 377
BUSH, P.: Some Aspects of the Diagenetic History of the Sabkha in Abu Dhabi, Persian Gulf 395
Hsu, K. J. and SCHNEIDER, J.: Progress Report on Dolomitization - Hydrology of Abu
Dhabi Sabkhas, Arabian Gulf .. ..... .. . . .......... . . . .... .. . 409
BUTLER, G. P.: Strontium Geochemistry of Modern and Ancient Calcium Sulphate Minerals 423
BUTLER, G. P., KROUSE, R. H., and MITCHELL, R.: Sulphur-Isotope Geochemistry of an Arid,
Supratidal Evaporite Environment, Trucial Coast 453
Bibliography .......................................... 463
Three maps inside back cover
The Principal Environmental Factors Influencing Holocene
Sedimentation and Diagenesis in the Persian Gulf
B. H. Purser1 and E. Seibold2
ABSTRACT
The Persian Gulf is a marginal sea with an average depth of 35 m, and a
maximum depth of 100 m near its narrow entrance. Its elongate bathymetric axis
separates two major geological provinces - the stable Arabian Foreland and the un
stable Iranian Fold Belt - which are reflected in the constrasting coastal and
bathymetric morphologies of Arabia and Iran. The Persian Gulf has a gently inclined
sea floor lacking "shelf edges" comparable with those of modern Caribbean carbonate
provinces •
. The arid, sub-tropical climate with summer temperatures attaining 50° C,
and frequent winds, stimulate the formation of evaporitic minerals and the delivery
of aeolian dust to the basin. Fluviatile influx is limited to the Tigris-Euphrates
Karun delta and to the mountainous Iranian coast where terrigenous sediments contrast
with the relatively pure carbonates forming in the shallow seas in front of the low
deserts of Arabia.
Excessive evaporation and partial isolation from the adjacent Indian Ocean
provoke abnormal salinities throughout most of the basin, which attain a maximum of
ca 70%0 in remote Arabian lagoons.Because the prevailing "shamal" wind blows down
the axis of the gulf from the NW, most coastal environments are swept by waves and
surface currents which favour the formation and dispersal of carbonate sands on the
Arabian side and terrigenous material on the Iranian. Tidal currents influence
sediment textures, even in the deepest parts of the gulf, while extensive rock
bottoms influence the biota and skeletal composition of Holocene sediments. These
are mixed with significant amounts of relict sediment, especially in the deeper parts
of the basin.
INTRODUCTION
This paper introduces the reader to the Persian Gulf by outlining those
regional environmental parameters which seem to influence the nature and distribution
of its Holocene sediments. Its authors have refrained from treating local environmental
aspects, which are discussed in individual contributions. Because this volume is
essentially sedimentological, water circulation and other properties are treated only
in sufficient detail to permit an understanding of sediment formation, distribution,
and diagenesis; oceanographic aspects are treated in greater detail by Hartmann et
al. (1971).
1. Lab. de Geologie Historique, Universite de Paris Sud (Orsay).
2. Geologisch-Pal~ontologisches Institut, Universit~t Kiel.
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