Petrographic and geochemical study of Precambrian and Paleozoic rocks in the western Anti-Atlas belt, Morocco: Facies, weathering, provenance and economic exploitation
Mohamed Mahmoud Sebbab,
Mehdi Ousbih,
Mohamed En-Nasiry,
Abdelhadi El Ouahidi,
Kamal Abdelrahman,
Abdessamad El Atillah,
Md Galal Uddin,
Armel Zacharie Ekoa Bessa,
Mohammed S. Fnais,
Agnieszka I. Olbert,
Mohamed Abioui
Affiliations
Mohamed Mahmoud Sebbab
Spaces, Societies, Environment, Planning and Development Laboratory, Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Languages, Arts and Human Sciences- Ait Melloul, Ibnou Zohr University, Ait Melloul, Morocco; Corresponding author. Spaces, Societies, Environment, Planning and Development Laboratory, Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Languages, Arts and Human Sciences- Ait Melloul, Ibnou Zohr University, Ait Melloul, Morocco.
Mehdi Ousbih
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Mohamed En-Nasiry
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Abdelhadi El Ouahidi
Spaces, Societies, Environment, Planning and Development Laboratory, Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Languages, Arts and Human Sciences- Ait Melloul, Ibnou Zohr University, Ait Melloul, Morocco
Kamal Abdelrahman
Department of Geology & Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abdessamad El Atillah
Spaces, Societies, Environment, Planning and Development Laboratory, Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Languages, Arts and Human Sciences- Ait Melloul, Ibnou Zohr University, Ait Melloul, Morocco
Md Galal Uddin
School of Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; MaREI Research Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Eco-HydroInformatics Research Group (EHIRG), Civil Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Corresponding author. School of Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Armel Zacharie Ekoa Bessa
Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Bertoua, Bertoua, Cameroon
Mohammed S. Fnais
Department of Geology & Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Agnieszka I. Olbert
School of Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; MaREI Research Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Eco-HydroInformatics Research Group (EHIRG), Civil Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
Mohamed Abioui
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco; MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre - Sedimentary Geology Group, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Laboratory for Sustainable Innovation and Applied Research, Universiapolis—International University of Agadir, Agadir, Morocco; Corresponding author. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
Detrital and volcanic-detrital rocks from the Ifni Buttonhole and Lakhssas Plateau were analyzed to determine their provenance, compositional maturity, and alteration source. Geochemically, the sediments were classified as arkoses, lithic arenites, grauwackes, sandstones, lithic arenites, and Fe-rich sands, indicating low compositional and mineralogical maturity. A high average SiO2 concentration and low Al2O3 were consistent with a low abundance of shale and clay components. The geochemical signatures of the detrital and volcano-detrital (RDVD) rocks indicate that they have undergone a moderate to low degree of chemical alteration. The CIA study also suggests that the granitic, granodioritic rocks represent the source provenance which, during weathering and transport, supplied the detritus to the supra-crustal units. The major trace element data suggest that these rocks are largely derived from felsic igneous rocks, namely granitoids, with a minor contribution from intermediate sources. The carbonate rocks do not represent a wide variety of facies: dolomitic limestone, calcareous limestone, and calcaro-dolomitic chert. Calcitic and dolomitic samples show a linear increase in SiO2, regardless of their CaO/LOI ratio values, which remain relatively constant. The highest SiO2 contents are observed in the calc-dolomitic chert. Geochemical analysis of RDVD from the Ifni buttonhole determined their origin, maturity, and alteration. Major oxides decreased with higher silica content, indicating quartz control. Samples, formed under semi-arid conditions, show maturity under stable deposition. They suggest a felsic, recycled source, with moderate alteration and zircon enrichment during recycling. In the study area, limestones and dolomites serve as materials applicable in the building sector, suitable for all types of concrete. The Taliwine Formation harbors Lower Cambrian dolomites and limestones, ideal for mosaic aggregates. Described as variable in color, compact, homogeneous, very hard, and resistant to alteration, the plutonic rocks form prominent peaks. They exhibit both subalkaline characteristics in granitoids and an alkaline trend in dolerite dykes. Most samples display minimal alteration, indicating the reliability of their major element compositions for geochemical analyses. These granitoids constitute valuable deposits for ornamental and building rock purposes.
