Organic matter and carbonate contents of bottom sediments of shanaab bay, Sudanese Red Sea

Abstract EN

The distribution patterns of total carbonate and organic matter in the sediments of the Shanaab Bay, Red Sea, has been studied.

Carbonate content ranges between 2% and 98% with an average of 62%.

Carbonate is mainly contributed by skeletal fragments and is biogenic in nature.

Physicochemical precipitation of calcium carbonate might have added some carbonate to the sediments.

Dilution by non-calcareous terrigenous material, shore erosion by waves and hydrographic conditions control the distribution of carbonate contents in the bay.

Organic matter contents vary from 1.18% to 5.88% with an average of 2.76%.

Organic matter is largely derived from the sources within the bay.

Nature of the sediments and hydrographic parameters control regional variations in organic matter contents in the bay.