Chemical and mineralogical characteristics of some shale deposits in Egypt S. El-Demerdashe, M. E. Abdel-Rahman.

الملخص EN

Representative samples were collected from some important shale deposits at twelve locations in Egypt.

Granulometric analysis and some chemical characteristics were determined.

X-ray diffracts grams of the separated clay fraction and quantitative estimation of the clay minerals was carried out.

Results show that the shale deposits at Kom Oshim and Gabal Hamza contain the highest percentages of clay (88 and 75 %, respectively), while the lowest content of the clay fraction (23%) was recorded in the shale deposits of Um Qamar and Wadi Kharruba.

Data also reveal that the highest value of ECe was found in the shale deposits of El-Khatatba, while the lowest value was observed in the shale of El-Belida.

Total and DTPAextractable contents of trace elements and heavy metals in the studied shale deposits were under the permissible limits of toxicity.

Mineralogical analysis reveals that the studied shale deposits consist of two assemblages.

The 1st assemblage is characteristic for the shale deposits of El-Khaboba, El-Tih, Abu El-Rish South, El-Belida and El-Gedida which consist of kaolinite as the main constituent.

The 2nd assemblage is distinguished in the shale deposits of Qusr El-Sagha, Kom Oshim, El-Qattamia, El-Khatatba, Gabal Hamza, Um Qamar and Wadi Kharruba where montmorillonite is the major clay mineral.

Based on the current study, the montmorillonitic shales of Qusr El-Sagha, Kom Oshim, El-Qattamia, El-Khatatba, Gabal Hamza, Um Qamar and Wadi Kharruba are recommended as amendments for coarse-textured soils.

Among which Qusr El-Sagha is the best source of amendments.

On the other hand, the kaolin tic shales of El-Khaboba, El-Tih, Abu El- Rish South, El-Belida and El-Gedida can be used for industrial purposes.

In all cases, economical aspects should be considered.