SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN ALONG EASTERN PART OF THE IRANIAN MAKRAN SHELF, NORTHERN GULF OF OMAN

10th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference - SGEM2010, www.sgem.org, SGEM2010 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN 10: 954-91818-1-2, June 20-26, 2010, Vol. 2, 133-138 pp

ABSTRACT

Surface and core sediment samples from the Iranian continental shelf of the Gulf of
Oman have been studied using standard sedimentological techniques. Based on the
grain size analysis of surface and core sediments, the silt fraction is the common
sediment type in the Makran shelf. It ranges from 40% up to 76%. The amount of clay
fraction varies from 19% to 54%. Sandy sediments appear in some cores up to 20%.
Mean content of organic matter and calcium carbonate in the sediments is around 1.75%
and 15.4%, respectively. The sediment distribution pattern demonstrates that generally
the grain size gradually decreases from shoreline to the deeper zones. However, some
medium to coarse grained sand patches can be found in deeper parts especially in the
middle part of the studied area that can be related to sediment supply of ephemeral
rivers discharging in to the sea in rainy seasons as well as to the high energy
environment. The carbonate content values increase westward where the rivers cross the
Zagros carbonate formations, while the eastern parts are more governed by reworking
the Makran flysh deposits on the hinterland.

Keywords: Makran continental shelf, Gulf of Oman, sediment distribution,