Heavy mineral stratigraphy of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sandstones of southwestern Sinai, Egypt: A reassessment

Abstract

Improved methods of analysis and quantification of heavy mineral assemblages in Cambrian to Early Cretaceous sandstones of southwest Sinai have revealed successive changes in provenance that reflect both rejuvenation of the Arabian Shield and changes in the topographic configuration of the source area. Three mineral units have been identified in the Cambrian succession, at least three in the Carboniferous and three in the Cretaceous. It is predicted that the genetic units defined by these successive changes in mineralogy will be of regional extent and thus assist in elucidating the history of uplift of the Arabian-Nubian Shield and provide a better means of correlating sandstone units into adjacent areas. Variation in the abundance of apatite in the Cambrian succession is independent of provenance signature and is interpreted as reflecting alternating dry and humid climatic conditions.