Beachrock as a Paleoshoreline Indicator: Example from Wadi Al-Hamd, South Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Area of Study
3. Materials and Methods
4. Results
4.1. Framework Composition and Cementation
4.2. Carbon and Oxygen Stable Isotopes
5. Discussion
Cementation Patterns
6. Conclusions
- The grain size, sedimentary structures and framework compositions indicate that the sediments were derived during humid intervals mainly from a terrigenous source, with little contribution of marine derived calcareous skeletal remains. They were deposited in a high-energy beach environment.
- Deposition in the beach environment suggests that the shoreline backstepped more landward during a period of relative sea level rise. The beachrock at the mouth of Wadi Al-Hamd is therefore a paleoshoreline indicator.
- The suggested humid climate and relative sea level highstand may be correlated with the middle Holocene humid interval and sea level highstand.
- The dominant isopachous bladed and micritic Mg-calcite cement suggests that cement growth in the intertidal zone under active marine phreatic conditions. This is supported by the isotopic data and Z values that indicate that the cement generally originated from marine water. The meniscus fabric and the depletion of oxygen and carbon isotope values in the most proximal sample may suggest a slight contribution from meteoric water in the vadose environment.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Sample | δ 13CVPDB‰ | δ 18OVPDB‰ | Z Values | CaCO3% |
---|---|---|---|---|
HMD 1 | −0.09 | −0.22 | 127 | 28 |
HMD 2 | 3.03 | 1.00 | 134 | 29 |
HMD 5 | 2.02 | 0.74 | 131.8 | 27 |
HMD 6 | 2.41 | 0.08 | 132.3 | 29 |
HMD 7 | 1.89 | −0.35 | 131 | 53 |
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Mannaa, A.A.; Haredy, R.A.; Ghandour, I.M. Beachrock as a Paleoshoreline Indicator: Example from Wadi Al-Hamd, South Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 984. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090984
Mannaa AA, Haredy RA, Ghandour IM. Beachrock as a Paleoshoreline Indicator: Example from Wadi Al-Hamd, South Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2021; 9(9):984. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090984
Chicago/Turabian StyleMannaa, Ammar A., Rabea A. Haredy, and Ibrahim M. Ghandour. 2021. "Beachrock as a Paleoshoreline Indicator: Example from Wadi Al-Hamd, South Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 9, no. 9: 984. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090984