Investigation of Sand Dunes Sedimentary Structures – Najaf Governorate – IRAQ

Abstract

This research concerns with the study of the sand dunes sedimentary structures in two areas from dunes field of Najaf governorate these are; 1)Al-Rahimiya and 2)Ain Mazlun areas, where the first area consists from barchans, barchanoid, and nabkha dunes types, while the second area has the dome, longitudinal, nabkha, and sand sheet dunes types.

The affected prevailing wind direction is obvious on the study area, where has the NW-SE bearing and the sedimentary structures were influenced by prevailing and local wind directions in studied areas.

Many types of sedimentary structures recognized in the studied areas these are; cross stratification, ripple marks, slump (grain flow), adhesion structures, and bioturbation structures.

The changes in parameters of the depositional environment, which influenced the distribution or formed of special sand dunes sedimentary structures due to changes in climatic conditions at the time.