Abstract
This paper describes the pedogenically altered fluvial deposits comprising the Barzaman Formation, UAE. This formation is composed of a sequence of rocks dominated by variably cemented conglomerates thought to be middle Miocene to Pliocene in age. The well-established descriptive scheme currently used for describing the formation is reviewed and a simple visual descriptive lithological classification is proposed based on the three principal lithological components visible in a hand specimen: mottled white calcisiltite matrix/cement, palygorskite rich marl and clasts derived from the Oman Mountains (gabbro, chert and weathered ultramafic rock). Data on the mineralogy and microstructure of the rock constituents is presented and some implications for the geotechnical characterisation of the formation are briefly discussed.
Résumé
L’article décrit les dépôts alluviaux altérés de la formation de Barzaman (UAE). Cette formation se compose d’une série de conglomérats de degrés de cimentation variés, supposés d’âge Miocène moyen à Pliocène. Le mode de description bien établi et couramment utilisé est présenté et une classification basée sur une description lithologique visuelle est proposée, prenant en compte les trois constituants principaux identifiables sur un échantillon de terrain : la matrice/ciment de calcisiltite claire bariolée, la marne riche en palygorskite et les fragments détritiques provenant des reliefs d’Oman (gabbros, cherts et roches ultramafiques altérées). Des données relatives à la minéralogie et la microstructure des constituants rocheux sont présentées et les conséquences pour la caractérisation géotechnique de la formation sont brièvement discutées.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Mike Eden of GMRS laboratories for petrographic and micro-structural analysis; Dr Sarah Arkley and Dr Esad Porovic for assistance in the field in Dubai and Yung Loo for his enthusiasm and attention to detail in the background studies. Thanks also to Ove Arup and Ptns for permitting access to drill cores and research funding to carry out laboratory testing.
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Macklin, S., Ellison, R., Manning, J. et al. Engineering geological characterisation of the Barzaman Formation, with reference to coastal Dubai, UAE. Bull Eng Geol Environ 71, 1–19 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-011-0369-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-011-0369-4