Geotechnical Investigation for Yas RA Development Project

Figure 9C: Gypsum Crystals and Anhydrate Sequence

Study of the coastal sabkha of Abu Dhabi Emirate has also yielded an answer to the ‘dolomite
problem.’ Dolomite or calcium magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CO3)2) is known from the geologic record
as a common mineral, sometimes the dominant mineral, in carbonate rocks of shallow water origin.
Because primary deposition of dolomite is virtually unknown in present- day environments, it was long
assumed that dolomite was the product of early post-depositional alteration of calcium carbonate or
limestone (CaCO3), which was widely deposited by precipitation in warm seas. The problem was that
there were also no present-day environments known in which alteration to dolomite was taking place.
Now it is recognised that dolomitisation occurs extensively in the sabkha environment, beginning above
the normal high-tide zone, where magnesium present in seawater is concentrated in brines. Further
inland the upper sabkha carbonate sediments may be entirely replaced by finely crystalline dolomite.

In places, on the inner margins of the sabkhas, it appears that some anhydrite has been altered to
gypsum by less saline continental waters. During periods of heavy rain or during hightides
coinciding with strong shamals, the surface of the sabkha is often flooded and extensive shallow
lakes form which may persist for weeks or months, behind natural dams caused by deflated storm
beaches or ‘jacked up’ areas of sabkha. These are becoming increasingly common due to the
additional damming effects of new roadways and pipeline bunds. The waters evaporate to form
salinas which when totally dry leave behind large areas of glistening white halite (NaCl) which
slowly turn brown over periods of months due to the admixture of wind-transported dust and form
crusts which may be several centimetres thick. The lateral forces of crystallisation lead to the
development of polygons up to several metres across and with upturned edges which can project
over 30 centimetres above the general level of the crust (Figure 9). They are similar to the
teepees seen in the carbonate beach rocks. These are the only halite deposits preserved within
the Quaternary sediments. Difficulties in preservation occur either because of the high humidity or
deflation or because they are dissolved and re-precipitated by successive floods. Over the last few
thousand years, there has been a fall in sea level of approximately 1 metre which has accelerated
the speed at which the mainland coast prograded seawards and at which leeward accretions of
the barrier island into the lagoons occurred. The sea level fall is evident from the existence of
intertidal and lagoonal sediments at about 1 metre above present-day mean sea level. Gradually,
the lagoons were reduced in size and the prograded marginal sediments together with the deflated
surfaces inland evolved to form the present day relatively fl6at, featureless, salt-encrusted sabkha
surfaces. A seaward progradation of the main land coastline has produced adistinctive vertical
sequence of carbonates and evaporites which has been widely recognised in many ancient
stratigraphic sequences. It comprises a trinity of components: subtidal lagoonal sediments overlain
by gypsiferous intertidal microbial mats which are in turn covered by supratidal anhydrite seams
and nodules.

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