Index

Note: page numbers in italics refer to figures, those in bold refer to tables

Abu Al Abyad (, UAE) cyanobacterial mats 22–3, 47–8, evaporative-pumping barrier island 71 85 model 245–6, 252 coral reefs 65–6 depositional environments 93, geomorphology 209 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 1–2, 3, 4–8 209–12 Holocene age sediments 247 algal mangrove flats 224 dolomite 27 Holocene age sediments barrier islands 20, 21, 22–3, 46, dunes 223 organic matter 48–9, 50, 51, 52, 208 early Holocene sediments 48 distribution 277–97 sabkha 71 evaporite distribution 177 Holocene barriers 271–2 sediment accumulation facies 93 Holocene coastal gypsum and 222–3 geology 222–4 anhydrite 268, 269 beaches 223 gypsum 29 Holocene coastal halite carbonate muds 22, 47–8 Holocene 101–2, 103, 104–5, accumulations/ carbonate sediment engineering 106, 107 salinas 267–8 properties 221–40 carbonates 205–17 hydrogeological chemical 229–32, 233, 234–9 geomorphology 45–86 framework 246–53 engineering intertidal flats 224 microbial mats 295–6 considerations 239–40 intertidal sediment organic mixing with aquifer 251, 252 engineering description/ matter accumulation organic matter classification 224–5, 296 distribution 294–6 226–7, 227–9 lagoons 21, 22–3, 46, 48–9, 50, rainfall events 251 geotechnical 229–32, 233, 51, 52, 92, 208–9 sea-level change impact on 234–9 carbonate sediment ramp margin site data 231–2, 233, 234–9 accumulation 222–3, deposition 89–108 terminology 241–2 223–4 seawater flooding model 245 carbonates mainland coastal plain 209 seawater trapping 246 cementation 23–4 marine shelf 208 sediment transport 136 coastal Holocene 205–17 modern expansion 278 siliciclastic deposits 247 channels 208 nearshore shelf 223 solute fluxes 249–51 climate 205 offshore bank-shoal 208 solute origins 245–53 coastal geomorphology 20, 21, sabkha 20, 21, 28–30, 201 storm beaches 266–7 22–33 aerial view 100 topographic slope 248 features 48–9, 50, 51–2 Al-Qanatir Island 149–80 transgressive sequence 294–5 coastal Holocene ascending brine model 246, vuggy porosity 272–3 carbonates 205–17 252 water fluxes 248–9 components 209 banded anhydrite 269, 270, sediments cyanobacterially-induced COPYRIGHTED271–2 MATERIALcomponents 78–85 alteration 213–17 carbonate sediment distribution 177, 209–12 exposed settings 210, accumulation 224 early Holocene 48 211–12 Chloride Plateau 252 grain-size distribution 77–8 grapestone lump coastal 245–53, 265–75 Holocene age 247 formation 209, 210, 213 composition 266 organic matter moderately exposed composition below water distribution 277–97 settings 210, 211, 212 table 247–8 size 77–8 morphology 206, 208–9 continental source subtidal coastal plain 277 protected settings 209–11 solutes 245–6 types 78 coastal plain 209 engineering properties of stratigraphic sections 225 coastal regions 265–75 sediments 235–6 subtidal coastal plain coastal terrace 49, 50, 51, 209 evaporation 248–9 sediments 277

465 466 Index

Abu Dhabi (UAE) (Continued) producers in brine columns 362 coastline 115 tidal delta 223 red calcareous 213 coral reefs 92 tidal flats 222–3 shallow water indicators 217 current conditions 90–2, 93, Upper Jurassic Hanifa Arab see also green algae 94–8, 99, 100–1 Formation 421–8 algal blooms, Dead Sea 351 dessication events 154 see also channel; Umm algal mangrove flats, (Abu Dhabi, diapirs 27 al Nar channel UAE) 224 facies patterns 20, 21, 22–33, 91 accelerator-mass- alkaliphile bacteria 332 fauna and flora 30 spectrometry 156–7 n-alkanes 337–8 flooding 154 aeolian sands 34–5 n-alkanoic acids 353 foraminifera 30 UAE 32, 33 alluvial fans gas seeps 19 aeolianites 31, 33 Arabian desert 33 limestones 31–2 over gypsum bed 274 coastal 76–7 map 3 aggregates 82–4 Oman 33 marine biology 30 cement 82–3 UAE 22 morphological provinces 152, cyanobacterial mucilage 83 anhydrite 98 153 Al Dhabaiyah (Abu Dhabi, UAE), aridity impact 137, 139 organic matter 23 coral reefs 63, 65–6 authigenic 248 platform 152, 153 Al-Khiran (Kuwait), Pleistocene– banded 269, 270, 271–2 Pleistocene deposits 30–3 Holocene carbonate- facies 446 Plio-Pleistocene tectonic evaporite sediment organic Mussafah channel 272 events 5 matter 255–63 chicken-wire 28, 248, 268, Quaternary sea level depositional microfacies 257–9 272–3, 307 changes 118–19, 128 diagenetic processes 259, 260 formation from gypsum 29, 100, Quaternary sedimentology inorganic geochemistry 259, 126 13–35 261, 262 gypsum inversion 98 sabkha 23–5, 34 mineralogy 259, 261, 262 Holocene coastal 268, 269 comparison 116–18 organic matter characterization/ Mussafah channel supratidal water movement 25–7 classification 261–3 sediments 286 salinity 92, 94, 123–4 stratigraphy 256 nodules 268, 269, 272 sea level changes study area 256, 257 selenite facies Quaternary 118–19, 128 study methods 256–7 association 444 rise 247 Al Khusaifah (Abu Dhabi, UAE), organic matter 166–7 sediment distribution 206, 207 cyanobacterial flats 61 polygons 73, 75, 77, 167–8 sedimentary facies 3, 4, 5, 17 Al-Qanatir Island (Abu Dhabi, UAE) radiocarbon dating 166–7 siliciclastics 91 149–80 replacive 438 submarine cementation 23–4, facies belt widths 176 sabkha 114, 116, 118 34, 134–6, 138 facies stacking patterns 149–80 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 248, 251 vegetation 92 lowermost intertidal to sabkha plain 28–9, 34, 73, 74–5 whitings 78, 92, 209 shallow-subtidal salina origin 274 Arabian Peninsula, Quaternary environment 173–4, 175, Upper Jurassic Hanifa Arab climatic history 119–20 176 Formation 423 Arabian platform, oil/gas microbial mat intertidal Anhydrite Zone (Spain) 445 reserves 105 environments 169–73 anoxic environments, Arabian Shelf 19–20 supratidal coastal sabkha biomarkers 337 calcium carbonate environments Arabian desert 32–3 precipitations 19–20 chronostratigraphic alluvial fans 33 submarine cementation of surface correlations 178, 179 lake deposits 33 sediment 20, 23–4, 34 inner sabkha 157–9 sand supply 32–3 whitings 19–20, 34 stranded beach ridges 159–69 Shamal wind 32, 91 aragonite algae 66, 67, 85 Arabian Gulf 1–2, 3, 4–8 Abu Dhabi (UAE) protected boring 216 bathymetry 46, 150, 151–2, 153 settings 209–10 calcareous 81 carbonate cementation 23–4, acicular crystals 83 green filamentous 66 34, 134–6, 138 Arabian Gulf 23–4 mesohaline 330 carbonate ramp sequence 91 crystal radiations 308 preservation of hydrogen-rich coastal geomorphology 20, 21, diagenetic alteration 126–7 debris 363 22–33 intact properties of rock 230 Index 467

Mussafah channel sulphate concentrations in storm 266–7 sediments 283 ephemeral lakes 310 see also chenier beaches pelletized needles 283 bacteriophages 326–7 beach ridges precipitation 19–20, 78, 216 Badenian selenite facies of Barr Al Hikman (Oman) 202 rim-cement 169 Poland 432, 437, 447–50 oolitic beach-dune ridges in selenite domes 440 gypsum succession 449 Kuwait 117 selenite facies 441 Badenian selenite facies of west sabkha 72 stromatolite associations 92 Ukraine, selenite facies stranded 159–69 archaea 321, 322 lateral changes 449–50 beach sediments biomarkers 338 bar(s) 56–7 organic matter characterization/ blooms in Dead Sea 351 angled 57 classification 262 halophilic 330 break-point 55–6, 159 Pleistocene–Holocene carbonate- charged amino acids 334 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) evaporite sediment organic Dead Sea 351 beach ridges 202 matter 258, 260 heterotrophic mode 334 climate 188–9 beach springs, lower salinity at Barr membrane adaptations 334 coastal salt ponds 199 Al Hikman (Oman) osmotic gradient dolomite 202 199–200 defences 334–5 evaporites 198, 199, 201, 202 beachrock 140–5 halotolerant in Dead Sea 351 free-water level beach erosion 143 hot spring dwellers 322–3 measurement 186 chenier beaches 140–1 methanogenic 332 geology 192–3 Ras Umm Said (Qatar) 140–5 salinity tolerance 329 geomorphology 183–4, 185, spits 141 sulphur-dependent 322–3 187, 188, 189, 190–2 tidal channel thermal stability 338 ground truthing 185 downcutting 142–5 Archaean oceans 308–10 gypsum 202 outer bends 140, 141 aridity, sabkha 153 halite crust 199, 202 bioclasts, Mussafah channel ascending brine model of sabkha hydrology 187 washover fans 286 origin 246, 252 lag deposits 190–1 biomarkers Atlas system 409–10 location 183, 184 lipid 338, 339 Avicennia see mangal/mangrove lower salinity beach salinity 336–41, 353 springs 199–200 bioremediation, industrial 301 bacteria meteorology 187, 188–9 biota, salinity tolerance 329 alkaliphile 332 microbial mats 194, 196 bittern salts 318–19 fermenter 324–6 monsoon influence 189 black shales 375 halophilic 322–7, 330, 332–3 sabkhas 183–203 bladder wrack 66, 81, 85 halotolerant 323 coastal 193–4, 195, 196–7, blooms heterotrophic metabolism 323 201 archaea in Dead Sea 351 lithotrophic 322 continental 195, 197–9, 201 cyanobacteria 211 methanogen 300–1, 322, 324–6, hydrology 201–2 green sulphur bacteria 323–4 353 older 200, 201 plankton/phytoplankton 211, halophilic 332, 336 salinity 186 330 photosynthetic 320, 321, 322–7 satellite images 185, 186, 187, purple sulphur bacteria 323–4 preservation of hydrogen-rich 191–2 blue-green algae see cyanobacteria debris 363 sediment sampling 185–6 blue holes 62 square-shaped 330, 331–2 sedimentology 184–5 botryoidal lumps 84 thermophile 322 topography 183–4, 187–8 break-point bars 55–6, 159 see also cyanobacteria; green wadi flow 189, 202 brine(s) sulphur bacteria; purple zonation 183–4 biological responses to layered sulphur bacteria; sulphate- barrier islands, (Abu Dhabi, UAE) hydrologies 349–54 reducing bacteria (SRB); 20, 21, 22–3, 46, 48–9, 50, carbon dioxide levels 344–5 sulphur-oxidizing bacteria 51, 52, 208 convective flow 343 bacterial sulphate reduction sabkha 71 die-back of organisms with (BSR) 299–311 sediment accumulation 222–3 salinity increase 349 dolomite formation 302–3 barzamanite 33 evaporitic settings 349–54 gypsum associated with bassanite 126 ‘famine or feast’ cycles 317–84 calcite 300–1 beach(es) holomictic columns 348 sedimentary pyrite 308–9 intertidal 57–8 hypersalinity 318, 319 468 Index brine(s) (Continued) levels in brines 344–5 marine 340 layered 341–54 photosynthetic fixation 354 mesohaline 340–1 mesohaline 318, 319 carbonate(s) particle size 229 microbial mats 343 Abu Dhabi (UAE) coastal carbonate sands, Pleistocene– nutrient concentration 361 Holocene Holocene carbonate- oxygen levels 344–5 carbonates 205–17 evaporite sediment organic palaeoflow 448–9 cementation 230 matter 258 producers 362 cemented sediments 225, carbonate–evaporite facies, reflux 226–7, 227–8 sabkha 95, 104–5, 107, rate through bottom chemical properties 229–32, 114 sediments 349 233, 234–9 carboxylic acids 353 sabkha-driven 343 chenier beaches 136 carotenoids 334 selenite facies 441–2 compaction of sediments Catalan Potash Basin 450–1 sabkha 118 229–30 celestite, sabkha plain 73 sabkha-driven reflux 343 engineering description/ cementation stratification 345–9 classification 224–5, carbonates 230 stratified eutrophic saline 226–7, 227–9 measurement of degree 230–1 columns 363 engineering properties of sedimentation-cementation- water column layering 349–51 sediments 221–40 erosion process 142 brine lakes Abu Dhabi island (UAE) surface 96–7 anoxia 345–9 236–7, 238 syndepositional at Doha chemocline 346 beach sediments 231–2, 233 (Qatar) 144–5, 146 cyanobacterial mats 347–8 engineering cementation, submarine density gradient 348 considerations 239–40 Arabian Gulf 23–4, 34, 134–6, gypsum precipitation 346, 360 inner lagoons 235–6 138 hydrological cycling 349 nearshore sediments 231–2, Doha (Qatar) 144–5, 146 light penetration 346 233 intertidal sand flats 53–4, 55 microbial mats 347–8 sabkha 235–6 marine limestones 54 pelagic evaporitic sediment site data 231–2, 233, 234–9 Ras Umm Said (Qatar) 134–47 precipitation 346 terminology 241–2 tidal channel depth 142 permanent 343–5 tidal delta 232, 233, 234 see also diagenesis stratified 345–9 tidal flats/terraces 234–5 chemoautotrophs 322, 323 sulphide concentration 348 epeiric 376 chenier beaches 136, 138 thermocline 346 geotechnical properties of backstepping 141–2 whitings 346 sediments 229–32, 233, beachrock 140–1 see also salinas 234–9 Ras Umm Said (Qatar) 136, 138, brine shrimp 358 Holocene coastal 205–17 146–7 bryozoans 81, 159, 162–3, 176–7 morphology 206, 208–9 Chloride Plateau, Abu Dhabi sabkha buttes, miliolite 76–7, 78 lithification 230 (UAE) 252 organic enrichment in chloride pump 334 calcerenites, engineering mesohaline chlorides, accumulation 459 properties 238, 239, 239 environment 361 chlorophyll, cyanobacterial calcite particle size 229 mats 352 Abu Dhabi (UAE) sabkha 248 ramp margin deposition 105, chlorophyll-a 319, 321 Mussafah channel 106 climate sediments 283 rock properties 230 Holocene 119 calcite, high-Mg sabkhas 118 hyper-arid phase 116 Arabian Gulf 23–4, 216 unconsolidated sediments 225, Milankovitch cycle 118 aragonite conversion 230 226–7, 227–8 Quaternary history 119–20, calcite, low Mg in Iranian see also cementation, submarine 128 Trough 17 carbonate-associated sulphate sabkhas 118–20 calcium carbonate precipitations, (CAS), limestones 309 climate change, Late Pleistocene/ Arabian Shelf 19–20 carbonate lakes, salinity 358 Holocene sea level calcium concentrations and solute carbonate laminites 375, 378 changes 5 source 250 carbonate muds coastal morphology, Saudi carbon dioxide Abu Dhabi (UAE) 22, 47–8 Arabia 22 fixation rate in salinas 359 flocculent matter 85 coniatolite 23 Index 469 consumers, metabolism 319–20, cyanobacterial mats cyanobacteria role in 321, 322–7 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 22–3, 47–8, 85 formation 101, 102, 103 continental sabkha 1 biolamination below 352–3 cyanobacterial flats 75 coral fragments 81 brine lakes 347–8 diagenetic formation 98 coral reefs 63, 64, 65–6 chlorophyll 352 distribution 103 Arabian Gulf 30, 92 Khor Al Bazam lagoon (Abu formation and bacterial sulphate front 63, 65 Dhabi, UAE) 56 reduction 302–3 grooved fronts 65 polygons 69, 70, 71 Iranian Trough 17 lobate vertical front 63 Qatar 139 Kuwait 27 pinnacled fronts 63, 65 salina 352–3 microbial mats 166, 168, 177 reef platform 65–6 see also microbial mats Mussafah channel sediments spurred fronts 63, 65 cyclostome bryozoans 162–3 (Abu Dhabi, UAE) 283 straight vertical front 63 Qatar peninsula 27 temperature tolerance 92 Dead Sea, biodynamics 350–1 sabkha 114, 248 terraced fronts 65 deltas, multiple 59 sabkha plain 73, 75 coupled passive extension and dessication events, Arabian Saudi Arabia 32 compression on salt-based Gulf 154 Tigris-Euphrates-Karun passive margins 393–402 diagenesis Delta 16 crab burrows 173, 174 Holocene 133–47 dolomite–anhydrite repetitions 5 creeks 62 Pleistocene–Holocene carbonate- dolomitization Crenarcheota 322 evaporite sediment organic replacement 101 crescentic bars see break-point bars matter 259, 260 sabkha 126–7, 253 crustacea recrystallization 305 dolostones halotolerant 328 sabkha 100–1, 102, 104, 120, Essaouira-Cap Tafelney segments skeleton 85 121–2, 122–7 deposition 408 currents, marine geomorphological environment 100–1 Upper Jurassic Hanifa Arab features 52–5, 59–62 evaporite minerals 120, Formation 423 cyanobacteria 121–2, 122–7 dunes Abu Dhabi (UAE) coastal see also cementation, submarine Abu Dhabi (UAE) 223 Holocene carbonate diapiric growth, gypsum 307 coastal 76 alteration 213–17 diapirism of salt 424–5, 428 migrating 91 biomarkers 339 diapirs oolitic beach-dune ridges in blooms 211 Abu Dhabi sabkhat (UAE) 271 Kuwait 117 carbonate alteration 216 Arabian Gulf 27 underwater 60 carbonate grain models 396, 400 modification 210 salt 376, 394, 405, 413–14, 415 Eastern Betic Chain, selenite dolomite formation 101, 102, Arab Formation 424 formations 454, 456, 458 103 extruded 411 ebb gullies 62 halotolerant 330, 333 frequency 417 echinoid fragments 85 Lake Nakuru 355, 356, 357 localization 413 encrusted lumps 84 Lake Natron 355, 357 mature 416 Eocene Green River Formation metabolism 319–20, 321 rising 412 (USA) 378, 379 micrite envelopes 217 size 417 Essaouira-Cap Tafelney segments of photosynthesis 310 UAE evaporites 73 Moroccan Atlantic margin producers in brine columns 362 diatoms 328–9 basalt flows 408, 410 syntrophic interaction with halotolerant 329–30 geomorphology 406, 407, 408 sulphate-reducing Disporella bryozoans 159, 162–3, near-shore platform uplift 409 bacteria 302, 310 176–7 post-rift Atlasic cyanobacterial flats 67, 68, 69–70, Diyab formation, Upper Jurassic megasequence 408–10 71 Hanifa Arab salt role 414–16 Al Khusaifah (Abu Dhabi, UAE) Formation 421, 422 post-rift pre-Atlasic 61 hydrocarbon accumulation 428 megasequence 407, 408 dolomite 75 Doha (Qatar), syndepositional salt role 412–14 Khor Al Bazam lagoon (Abu cementation 144–5, 146 salt canopies/sheets 415 Dhabi, UAE) 62 dolomite 245 salt-cored folds 416 sabkha barrier islands 71 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 27 salt deposition 417 salt encrusted 73 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) 202 salt deposits 408 470 Index

Essaouira-Cap Tafelney segments of Neoarchaean Campbellrand lagoonal muds of Mussafah Moroccan Atlantic margin carbonates 303–7 channel 283 (Continued) vertical fluid movement miliolid 30 salt distribution map 412 control 142 fossil ‘death communities’ 334 salt movement 410, 417 evaporitic basins Fuwayrit Formation 31 salt raft 415–16 eustatic styles 364, 365–72, salt role in syn-rift 373 gammacerane 340 megasequence 410, 412 organic productivity 360–1 Gamohaan formation (South salt tectonics 405–17 tectonic styles 364, 365–72, Africa) 306, 307 salt withdrawal 412, 413, 414 373 pyrite 307–8 seismic profiles 410, 411, 413 evaporitic source rocks, gas seeps, Arabian Gulf/Iranian stratigraphy 406, 407, 408–10, ancient 363–4, 365–72, Trough 19 411, 412–16 373–80 Gayathi Formation 31 syn-rift megasequence 408, 410, associations 381 geochemical cycle, microbial 412, 415 mesohaline 373–80 community 92 synthetic stratigraphic basin-centre 374–6, 381 glacial interglacial cycles 119–20 column 407 closed seafloor glauconite, Iranian Trough 18 Eubacteria, salinity tolerance 329 depressions 374, 379–80, grapestones 82–3 Euryarchaeota 322 381 Abu Dhabi (UAE) coastal evaporation 201 epeiric shelf 374, 376–8, 381 Holocene coastal seawater 123–4 intrashelf lows on evaporitic carbonates 209, 210, 213 intertidal zone 96–7 platforms 374, 376–8, encrusted lumps 84 evaporative-pumping model of 381 green algae sabkha origin 245–6, 252 saline-bottomed lows 374, biomarkers 339 evaporites 378–9, 381 filamentous 66 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) 202 shelf-edge depression 378 halotolerant 330 sabkha 198, 199, 201 organic accumulation 364 hypersalinity cellular basinwide 364, 375–6 extremophiles 322 adaptation 334 dissolution 300 green sulphur bacteria 322 distribution along Abu Dhabi facies stacking patterns, Al-Qanatir biomarkers 339 (UAE) coastline 177 Island (Abu Dhabi, UAE) blooms 323–4 hydrocarbon 149–80 groundwater system of sabkha accumulations 318 ‘famine or feast’ cycles in stratified 25–7, 73, 75, 92, 99, 118 marine-fed deposits 364, 373 brine 317–84 Kuwait 120, 122–3 mesohaline responses to cycles of fenestrae, microbialites 306–7 gypcrete 127 ‘famine or feast’ in layered fermenting bacteria 324–6 gypsarenite 441, 442 brines 317–84 fish bones/teeth 85 crystal nucleation 443 minerals 85 flamingos 330, 354–5, 356, formation 443–4 platform 364 357–8 salt works 443 plugging 375 flocculent matter 85 supersaturated gypsum 443 Precambrian seawater sulphate flood-recharge 126 gypsum concentrations 308–10 flood-recharge-reflux, allochthonous facies 448 ramp margin deposition 105, sabkha 116–17, 126 anhydrite formation 29, 100, 106 flooding 126 replacement 300 Arabian Gulf 154 anhydrite inversion 98 sabkha 28–30, 34–5, 73–5, 76 sabkha 102, 104, 117–18 aridity impact 137, 139 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 150 impact 122–3 autochthonous facies 443–4 diagnesis 120, 121–2, 122–7 surface 98, 100, 102, 104 bacterial sulphate production 96 seawater model of sabkha reduction 300–1 types 114 origin 245 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) 202 volume generated 117 foraminifera deposits 191 sabkha plain 91–2 Abu Dhabi (UAE) coastal sabkha 199 selenite facies 431–60 Holocene carbonate beneath inner coastal total organic carbon (TOC) 361 alteration 213–16 sabkha 274 vanished 299–311 Arabian Gulf 30 crust 127, 300, 301 Jurassic Arab Formation Khor Al Bazam lagoon (Abu crystals 29, 75, 97, 98 302–3 Dhabi, UAE) 80–1 fans 308 Index 471

intergrowths 433 sabkha 155, 157–9 marine geomorphological lens-shaped 434–5 surface morphology 174–5 features 52–62 Mussafah channel supratidal haloarchea 332 marine geomorphological sediments (Abu Dhabi, Halobacteriaceae 330, 331 features with biological UAE) 286 halocline 344, 348 affinities 63, 64, 65–7, 68, selenite facies 431 permanent in selenite 69–70, 71, 75, 76 twins 433 facies 442–3 sediment size/type/ types 268 selenitic domes 440 distribution 78–85 deposit types 431–2 halokinesis 413 subaerial geomorphological diapiric growth 307 Halophila sea grass 67 features 76–7 dissolution 301 halophile bacteria 322–7, 330, sabkha evolution 113–28 dolomitization 27 332–3 sea level enterolithic 307 halophilic plankton species changes 5 fine-grained facies 431, 432 349–51 rise in Tigris-Euphrates-Karun flanking selenite 447–50 halophytes 76, 85, 95 Delta 16–17 getch 127 Arabian Gulf 92 transgression 154 Holocene coastal 268, 269 Facultative (?) 327–8 transgressive–regressive wedge of intertidal zone 71 mineral transformations 126 sediment 104 laminites 29 obligate 327–8 Holocene sediments, Mussafah Miocene 273–4 halorhodopsin 334 channel 280 mush 268, 269 halotectonics 413 mineral/organic matter Mussafah channel supratidal halotolerant plankton composition 284–5 sediments (Abu Dhabi, species 349–51 huntite 29–30 UAE) 286 haloviruses 326–7 hydrocarbons Pleistocene 273, 274 heavy metals, lake sediments 358 accumulations in evaporite precipitation 308 heliothermy 344 source rocks 375 brine lakes 346, 360 heterotrophs, aerobic below generation and accumulation in pseudomorphs 450–1 cyanobacterial mats 352 Upper Jurassic Hanifa Arab sabkha 114 High Atlas, salt tectonics Formation 427–8 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 248 405–17 oil/gas reserves in Arabian Sabkha Matti 273 ‘high-salt-in’ option 334–5 platform 105 sabkha plain 29–30, 73–4, 75, 97 hills, coastal 76–7 petroleum exploration 5–6 salinas 271 Hith formation, Upper Jurassic hydrology Saudi Arabia 32 Hanifa Arab Barr Al Hikman (Oman) 187, selenitic 438 Formation 421, 422, 423, 201–2 skeletal 438 424 brine biological responses to succession 456 facies 5 layered hydrology supersaturation at salt seismic interpretation 425–6 349–54 works 442–3 Holocene brine lake cycling 349 Tigris-Euphrates-Karun Abu Dhabi (UAE) 101–2, 103, sabkha framework 120, 121–2, Delta 16 104–5, 106, 107 122–7 volcanoes 273 coastal carbonates 205–17 saline basins 342–5 organic matter in sabkha vadose zone of saline basins halite sediments 277–97 343 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 48 climate 119 hydromagnesite 92 Holocene coastal accumulations/ coastal carbonates 205–17 hypersalinity 318, 319, 328 salinas 267–8 morphology 206, 208–9 accidental exposure of pelagic/ loss from sabkha 250–1 coastal halite accumulations/ bottom living precipitation 267–8, 308, 363 salinas 267–8 metazoans 334 pseudomorphs 308 diagenesis 133–47 biomarkers 336–41 sabkha plain 30, 75, 76, 95 geomorphology 45–86 cellular biochemical crust 155 coastal geomorphology 48–9, adaptations 333–6 salinas 267–8 50, 51–2 decomposers in sediments halite crust flora 85 353 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) marine and subaerially formed metabolic adaptations 333–6 sabkha 199, 202 geomorphological osmotic pressure 333 polygonal 155, 157–9, 164, 165 features 71–6 well-adapted species 363 472 Index industrial bioremediation 301 groundwater system 120, marine geomorphological invertebrates, carbonate lake 122–3 features 52–62 salinity 358 isotopic composition 120, current-formed 52–5, 59–62 Iranian Trough 17–19 121–2, 122–5 wave-formed 52–9 gas seeps 19 marine sabkha 1 isoprenoid acids 353 lacustrine environments marls biomarkers 337 composition 18–19 Jananah (Abu Dhabi, UAE) 3, 47 dessication 378 organic content 361 coral reefs 66 lagerstatte associations 334 megaripples 59–62 megaripples 60 lagoons 21, 22–3, 46, 48–9, 50, 51, diagonal 60–1 tidal channels 59 52 linguoid 59, 60 Jurassic Arab Formation, vanished Abu Dhabi (UAE) 21, 22–3, 46, longitudinal 61–2 evaporites 302–3 48–9, 50, 51, 52, 92, 208–9 rhomboid 60–1 carbonate sediment transverse 60 kerogen 363 accumulation 222–3, mesas, miliolite 76–7 keystone vugs 140 223–4 mesohaline environment 323 Khor Al Bazam lagoon (Abu Dhabi, facies 95 algae 330 UAE) 49, 50, 51 Kuwait 22 ancient evaporitic source aggregates 82–4 muds of Mussafah channel rocks 373–80, 381 angled bars 57 (Abu Dhabi, UAE) 283 carbonate muds 340–1 anhydrite 75 selenite facies 444 carbonate organic break-point bars 55–6 lakes enrichment 361 cemented horizons 53–4 Arabian desert deposits 33 community layering 351–4 coastal dunes 76 carbonate 358 definition 318, 319 coral reefs 63, 65 see also brine lakes; lacustrine hypersalinity 328 cyanobacterial flats 62, 68 environments; salinas invertebrate survival 328 cyanobacterial mats 56 laminites 310 production 354 ebb gullies 62 Late Pleistocene, sea level protozoa 330 foraminifera 80–1 changes 5 responses to cycles of ‘famine or geomorphology 208–9 limestones feast’ in layered intertidal spits 58 carbonate-associated brines 317–84 mangrove 71 sulphate 309 Mesopotamian Plain megaripples 56, 59–60, 61 Essaouira-Cap Tafelney segments map 15 runnels and bars 56, 57 deposition 408 sediments 16 sabkha 72 marine Mesoproterozoic oceans, sulphate sand and seaweed streaks 61 Arabian Gulf 31–2 presence 309 sand ribbons 61 cementation 54 Messinian selenite facies of sand ridges 57 oolitic 258–9, 260, 263 Mediterranean seaweed covered areas 66, 67 lipid biomarkers 338, 339 region 432, 434, 437, sediments 210, 211–12 lithification of carbonates 230 452–3, 453–4, 455, 456, grain-size distribution 78 lithotrophic bacteria 322 457, 458–9 size/type/distribution 79–85 ‘low-salt-in’ option 336 methanogen bacteria 300–1, subtidal crusts 55 lunate bars see break-point bars 324–6, 353 tidal channels 58–9 halophilic 332, 336 Khor sediments, Pleistocene- mangal/mangrove 85 methanogenesis 340 Holocene carbonate- Abu Dhabi (UAE) 2-methyl-2-trimethyl- evaporite sediment organic disappearance from 296 tridecylchromans matter 258, 262 sabkha 277, 289–90, 295, 296 (MTTCs) 339, 340 Kupferschiefer deposition algal flats 224 micrites, ancient envelopes 217 339–40 Arabian Gulf 92, 117 microbial community Kuwait areas 70, 73, 74, 75, 76 geochemical cycle 92 coastal morphology 22 grey 71, 76 saline water mediation 301–2 dolomite 27 multiple ebb delta 59 microbial mats 95 flood-recharge 126 palaeosol 289–90, 295, 296 Abu Dhabi sabkha (UAE) 277, marine transgression 119 (Abu Dhabi, UAE) 278 oolitic beach-dune ridges 117 barrier island 71 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) sabkha 22, 27, 115, 118, 127 Quaternary sequence 31 sabkhas 194, 196 Index 473

brine lakes 347–8 aggradation 287 limestones 258–9, 260, 263 brine-saturated 343 banded anhydrite 272 Pleistocene–Holocene carbonate- dolomite 166, 168, 177 Holocene sediments 280 evaporite sediment organic enhanced primary mineral/organic matter matter 255–6, 258 production 359–60 composition 284–5 composition 259, 261, 262, gypsum crystals 97, 98 lagoonal mud 283 263 halotolerant cyanobacteria 333 microbial mats 281–3, 296 grainstones 258–9 hypersaline systems 346 slope 287 sands in Abu Dhabi 47–8 intertidal environments organic matter in sabkha shoals in Upper Jurassic Hanifa 169–73, 175 sediments 279, 280, Arab Formation 422–3, morphologies 169 281–3, 284–5, 286–7 424 Mussafah channel (Abu Dhabi, Pleistocene sediments 279, 280, organic enrichment 354–5, 356, UAE) 281–3, 296 281 357–63 slope 287 Potamides conicus sand and mesohaline carbonate stage polygonal 175–6 grainstone 283 361 radiocarbon dating 164–5, 166, progradation 287 organic matter 23 167, 168, 171, 172–3, sedimentary facies relative Abu Dhabi (UAE) 23 177–8, 179 elevation 286–7 Arabian Gulf 23 regressive 282, 293, 294, 295–6 subtidal sediments 283 destruction 354 salinas 352–3 supratidal sediments 286 preservation with salinity- selenite facies association 444 transgressive sequence 294–5 induced environmental sulphate-reducing bacteria 302 washover fans 286 stress 361–3 transgressive 281–2 organic productivity Umm al Nar channel 293, 294 Nakuru, Lake (East Africa) 354–5, evaporite basins 360–1 see also cyanobacterial flats; 356, 357–8 saline waters 360–1 cyanobacterial mats biomass change 355, 356, 357 salinity controls 354–5, 356, microbial mudflats 374, 378 heavy metals in sediments 358 357–60 microbialites 310–11 Natron, Lake (East Africa) 354–5, osmotic pressure, salinity community layering in 358 increase 333 mesohaline Neoarchaean Campbellrand ostracods 80 environment 351–4 carbonates (South Africa), oxygen fenestrae 306–7 vanished earliest oxygenic Milankovitch cycle, climate evaporites 303–7 photosynthesis 309 control 118 Neoarchaean oceans, low sulphate levels in brines 344–5 miliolite 30–1 concentrations 310–11 buttes 76–7, 78 nitrogen fixation rate in packstone, peloid-skeletal coastal 76–7 salinas 359 facies 173–4, 175, 176 sabkha barrier islands 71 Noah’s Flood 16–17 palygorskite Miocene sediments, gypsum Iranian Trough 18 273–4 oil/gas reserves sabkha 33 molluscs 79–80 Arabian platform 105 Sabkha Matti 273 mass exterminations in see also hydrocarbons Tigris-Euphrates-Karun hypersaline waters 334 Oman Delta 16 monsoon, Barr Al Hikman alluvial fans 33 pearl beds 136, 138 (Oman) 189 sabkha 116 pelagosite 23 Moroccan Atlantic margin groundwaters 123 pellets, sediment 81–2 Late Triassic normal and transfer ooids 22, 92 peloid-skeletal packstone faults 409 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 22, 84, 94–5 facies 173–4, 175, 176 map 406 Pleistocene–Holocene carbonate- pendant cement 140 salt tectonics 405–17 evaporite sediment organic petroleum exploration 5–6 stratigraphy 406, 407, 408–10, matter 255–6, 258 oil/gas reserves in Arabian 411, 412–16 oolite-coral facies, Upper Jurassic platform 105 Moroccan Salt Province, map 406 Hanifa Arab see also hydrocarbons mudstones, Upper Jurassic Hanifa Formation 423 pholads, rock-boring 145 Arab Formation 423 oolites/oolitic sediments Phosphoria Formation (USA) Mussafah channel (Abu Dhabi, beach-dune ridges in 378 UAE) 278 Kuwait 117 photoautotrophs 320, 322 474 Index photosynthesis production rifted basins 394 anoxic 320, 323 mesohaline salinity 354 runnels and bars 56–7 cyanobacteria 310 see also organic productivity oxygenic 309 prokaryotes, phototrophic sabkha 1, 20, 21, 28–30, 71–6 photosynthetic pigments 319, 321 communities 301 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 20, 21, 28–30, phycobilins 320 protozoa, mesohaline 201 phycobilisomes 319, 321 environment 330 aerial view 100 phycoerythrin 355 purple sulphur bacteria 320 Al-Qanatir Island (Abu Dhabi, phytane 336, 337, 340 biomarkers 339 UAE) 149–80 phytoplankton blooms 211 blooms 323–4 ascending brine model 246, pinnacles 62 pycnocline 344, 348 252 plankton 328–9 pyrite banded anhydrite 269, 270, blooms 330 Archaean sedimentary 310 271–2 halophilic 349–51 Gamohaan formation (South carbonate sediment halotolerant 349–51 Africa) 307–8 accumulation 224 producers in brine columns 362 grain analysis 310 coastal 245–53, 265–75 Pleistocene sediments 48 sedimentary 308–9 composition 266 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 48 sulphate-reducing composition below water Arabian Gulf 30–3 bacteria 307–8 table 247–8 gypsum 273, 274 continental source Mussafah channel (Abu Dhabi, Qatar, cyanobacterial mats 139 solutes 245–6 UAE) 279, 280, 281 quartz grains 84–5 engineering properties of oolitic grainstones 258–9 sabkha, Abu Dhabi (UAE) 247 sediments 235–6 Pleistocene–Holocene carbonate- Quaternary sequence 31 evaporation 248–9 evaporite sediment organic Marawah Island (Abu Dhabi, evaporative-pumping matter 255–63 UAE) 31 model 245–6, 252 depositional microfacies 257–9 geomorphology 209 diagenetic processes 259, 260 radiocarbon dating 155 Holocene age sediments 247 inorganic geochemistry 259, anhydrite 166–7 Holocene age sediments 261, 262 microbial mats 164–5, 166, 167, organic matter mineralogy 259, 261, 262 168, 171, 172–3, 177–8, 179 distribution 277–97 organic matter characterization/ ramp margin deposition Holocene barriers 271–2 classification 261–3 geomorphology 96 Holocene coastal gypsum and stratigraphy 256 physiography 96 anhydrite 268, 269 study area 256, 257 sea level change effects 89–108 Holocene coastal halite study methods 256–7 Ras Umm Said (Qatar) accumulations/ pluvial events beachrock 140–5 salinas 267–8 sabkha impact 122–3 formation 141 hydrogeological see also flooding channel downcutting 142–5 framework 246–53 polygon formation chenier formation 136, 138, microbial mats 295–6 subtidal crusts 55 146–7 mixing with aquifer 251, 252 see also anhydrite, polygons; depositional environment 137 Mussafah channel (Abu Dhabi, cyanobacterial mats, facies map 137 UAE) 272, 278, 279, 280, polygons; halite crust, sabkha 133–47 281–3, 284–5, 286–7 polygonal; microbial mats, sequence development 136 organic matter polygonal sedimentation-cementation- distribution 294–6 Potamides conicus sand and erosion process 142 rainfall events 251 grainstone sequence stratigraphy 145–6 sea-level change impact on Mussafah channel (Abu Dhabi, spits/spit formation 136, 138, ramp margin UAE) 283 146–7 deposition 89–108 slope 287 Blackrock 141 seawater flooding model 245 Precambrian seawater sulphate breakthrough 139, 140 seawater trapping 246 concentrations/ submarine cementation 134–47 sediment transport 136 evaporites 308–10 red algae, calcareous, Abu Dhabi siliciclastic deposits 247 pristane 336, 337, 340 (UAE) coastal Holocene solute fluxes 249–51 producers, metabolism 319–20, carbonate alteration 213 solute origins 245–53 321, 322–7 rhodopsin pigments 334 storm beaches 266–7 Index 475

topographic slope 248 Holocene gypsum 271 transgressive sequence coastal 265–9, 270, 271–3 halite 267–8 294–5 evolution 113–28 heliothermal 344 Umm al Nar channel 278, 287, hydrological framework 120, organic productivity 378 288, 289–90, 291–2, 121–2, 122–7 primary productivity 293–4 Kuwait 22, 27, 115, 118, 127 enhancement 358–60 vuggy porosity 272–3 isotopic composition 120, rift 378 water fluxes 248–9 121–2, 122–5 selenite coastal 446–7 accretion rate 136 marine 1, 127 selenite facies 432, 440–1, 444 aeolian wedge surface 98 Oman 116 South Australia 440–1 Arabian Gulf 23–5, 34 groundwaters 123 freshwater influx balance with water movement 25–7 palygorskite 33 brine reflux 442 aridity 153 patch 116 selenite formation 443–4 Barr Al Hikman (Oman) pluvial event impact 122–3 water level changes 378 183–203 porosity 101 see also brine lakes coastal 193–4, 195, 196–7, Ras Umm Said (Qatar) 133–47 saline basins 201 sequence development 136 hydrology 342–5 continental 195, 197–9, 201 sea level change impact 122–3, perennial phreatic hydrology 201–2 128 hydrologies 343–5 older 200, 201 sediment sources 118 vadose zone hydrology 343 brines 118 sediment transport 136 saline ecosystems 362 carbonate–evaporite facies 107, siliciclastic 116, 118 saline lakes see salinas 114 stable isotope analysis 120, saline waters, organic associations 95, 104–5 121–2, 122–7 production 360–1 carbonates 118 sulphate composition 125–7 salinity climatic framework 118–20, 128 sulphate minerals 118, 125–7 Arabian Gulf 92, 94, 123–4 comparison in Arabian supratidal coastal Barr Al Hikman (Oman) 186 Gulf 116–18 inner 157–9 basinwide evaporites 376 crust 127 outer 159–69 bioadaptations 327–41 cycles of ancient facies 5, 101, surface 72, 76 biomarkers 336–41, 353 105 aeolian wedge 98 carbonate lakes 358 deposition by Shamal surface flooding 98, 100, 102, controls on organic wind 152, 153 104 productivity 354–5, 356, depositional/diagenetic topography control 119–20 357–60 parasequence 114 UAE 23–5, 118, 127 East African rift-valley diagenesis 100–1, 102, 104, 120, marine 124–5 lakes 358 121–2, 122–7 water movement 25–7 environmental stress induction dolomitization 126–7, 253 water table distribution 99 and organic evaporite minerals 28–30, 73–5 wind role 118 preservation 361–3 diagenesis 120, 121–2, 122–7 sabkha-driven brine reflux 343 microbial response to evaporites 28–30, 34–5, 73–5, Sabkha Matti (UAE) 24–5, 266 change 336–41 76 Holocene evaporites 273 mineral precipitation 363 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 150 sabkha plain 23–5, 91–2 ranges 327–33 production 96 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 23–5 selenite facies 439, 456 types 114 anhydrite 28–9, 34 tolerance of key biota 329 volume generated 117 coastal 76 salt evolution 113–28 deflational part 32 diapirism 424–5, 428 flood-recharge-reflux 116–17, evaporite minerals 28–30 diapirs 376, 394, 405, 409, 126 gypsum 29–30 413–14, 415 flooding 102, 104, 117–18 halite 30, 75, 76, 95 Arab Formation 424 impact 122–3 mainland 71–6 extruded 411 surface 98, 100, 102, 104 saccharoidal brown grains 85 frequency 417 formation period 116 salinas localization 413 groundwater system 25–7, 73, anhydrite 274 mature 416 75, 92, 99, 118 banded anhydrite 269, 270, rising 412 Kuwait 120, 122–3 271–2 size 417 halite crust 155, 157–9 cyanobacterial mats 352–3 plugging 375 476 Index salt-based passive margins seismic stratigraphy 101–2 cone/cup 436–7 contraction 398–9 selenite facies 456 controls on upward coupled extension and seagrass gradations 458 compression 393–402 Abu Dhabi sabkha (UAE) 277, crystal nucleation 443 coupled upslope extension and 283 domal 435, 436–7, 440, 441, 443 downslope lagoonal sediments 287, 290, growth mechanisms 458–9 compression 396, 293, 296 flanking shelf 444, 447–50 398–400, 401–2 seawater fresh water influx balance with deformation 394 evaporation trends 123–4 brine reflux 441–2 extension 399–400 flooding model of sabkha geochemical indicators 440 gravitational structures 394 origin 245 gypsarenite 441, 442 modelling 394–6, 397, 398–400 ionic changes 318 lagoons 444 upslope extension 395–6, 397, seaweed 81 lateral evolution 437–8 400–1 seaweed-covered areas 66, 67 Messinian of Mediterranean salt-based structure sedimentary facies 3, 4, 5 region 432, 434, 437, deformation 393 distribution 48 452–3, 453–4, 455, 456 ‘salt-in’ strategy 334, 335–6 patterns 20, 21, 22–33, 47 microtopography 439–40 salt ponds, coastal, Barr Al Hikman seismic stratigraphy 104 modern environments 439–44 (Oman) 199 sea level changes 101–2 narrow flanking shelf 450–1 salt tectonics, western High selenite oriented fabrics 456 Atlas 405–17 accumulation 440 permanent halocline 442–3 salt works versus chloride porosity 438 gypsarenite facies 443 accumulation 459 precipitates 439 gypsum supersaturation 442–3 conditions for 443–4 preservation as selenite facies 439–40, 441, 442 thickness in single event 456, pseudomorphs 438–9 freshwater influx balance with 458 pseudomorphic 445–6 brine reflux 441–2 branching 456 salinas 440–1, 444, 446–7 sand(s) selenite basins 444–5 salinity 456 aeolian 32, 33, 34–5 Messinian of Mediterranean range 439 Arabian desert 32–3 region 452–3, 453–4, 455, salt works 439–40, 441, 442 carbonate 258 456, 457, 458–9 freshwater influx balance with see also dunes selenite crystals 432–5 brine reflux 441–2 sand and seaweed streaks 61 geochemistry 438 sea-level fluctuation 456 sand cloud 60 growth interruptions 435 selenite crystals 432–5 sand flats, intertidal 52–5 intergrowths 433–4, 448–9 stratiform 435–6 subtidal crusts 55 nucleation 443 successions 454 sand ribbons 61 prism faces 444 supercones 437, 456 sand ridges 56–7 replacive process 438 growth mechanisms 458–9 sand streaks 61 selenitic domes 441 syntaxial overgrowth 443 sand waves 60 size 448 vertical evolution 437–8 sandstones twinned 433–4, 454, 455 selenite platforms 444, 445–51, engineering properties 238, 239 zonation 435 453 oolitic-quartzose 258–9, 260, zoned 440, 444 covering a salt-filled basin 444, 262 selenite facies 431–60 451, 453 Sargassum algae 66 accumulation selenitic crusts 439 Saudi Arabia conditions for 443–4 selenitic cycles 456 coastal morphology 22 rate 440 selenitic domes 435, 436–7, 440, dolomite 32 ancient environments 444–51, 441, 443 gypsum 32 452–3, 453–4, 455, 456, growth mechanisms 458–9 schizohaline systems 363 457, 458–9 sequence stratigraphy 101–2, 104 sea level changes associated with sabkha Ras Umm Said (Qatar) 145–6 Arabian Gulf 247 anhydrite 445–6 serpulid nodules 85 Holocene 5 autochthonous 448 Shamal wind 114 Late Pleistocene 5 bedded 440, 441, 444 Arabian desert 32, 91 Quaternary 118–19, 128 bedding 435–7 Arabian Gulf bathymetry 205 ramp margin deposition 89–108 clastic 456 Arabian Shelf carbonates 19 sabkha impacts 122–3, 128 columnar 438 sabkha deposits 152, 153 Index 477 shoal-water moats 378 below cyanobacterial mats Umm al Nar channel (Abu Dhabi, siliciclastics 352–3 UAE) 278 Arabian Gulf 91 carbonate replacement of solid aggradation rate 293–4 sabkha 116, 118 sulphate 300 dredging 287 Abu Dhabi (UAE) 247 industrial bioremediation 301 Holocene sediments Skolithos-type crab burrows 173, microbial mats 302 distribution 287, 288 174 pyrites 307–8 mineral/organic matter soda lakes, organic solid sulphate destruction in composition 291–2 productivity 354–5, 356, saline aqueous Holocene transgression 289 357–8 environments 301 lagoonal sediment with seagrass solute origins of Abu Dhabi sabkha syntrophic interaction with roots 290, 293 (UAE) 245–53 cyanobacteria mangal palaeosol 289–90 hydrogeological 302, 310 map 288 framework 246–53 sulphide, grain analysis 310 microbial mats 293, 294 mixing within sabkha and sulphur isotopes, mass- organic matter in sabkha aquifer 251 independent sediments 287, 288, seawater models 245–6, 251–3 fractionation 309 289–90, 291–2, 293–4 solute fluxes 249–51 sulphur-oxidizing bacteria 323–4, Pleistocene aeolian sand water fluxes 248–9 353 dunes 289 South Australia, salinas 440–1 below cyanobacterial mats pre-Holocene sediments 289 freshwater influx balance with 352 progradation rate 293–4 brine reflux 442 halophilic 324 transgressive sequence 294–5 selenite formation 443–4 hypersaline settings 324 (UAE) spits sulphuric acid, atmospheric 45–6 intertidal 56, 57–8 deposition 309 aeolian sands 32, 33 sabkha 72 Sumatra, coastal environment 94 alluvial fans 22 Ras Umm Said (Qatar) 136, 138, coastal features 46, 47 146–7 tectonics fauna and flora 30 beachrock 141 evaporitic basins 364, 373 flood-recharge 126 breakthrough 139, 140 Upper Jurassic Hanifa Arab marine transgression 119 submarine 59 Formation 424–5 Quaternary sequence 31 sponge spicules 85 thenardite, sabkha plain 30 sabkha 23–5, 118, 127 spurs and grooves 62 thermophile bacteria 322 marine 124–5 steranes 338 thylakoids 319 Upper Jurassic Hanifa Arab storm beaches, sabkha of Abu Dhabi tidal channels 58–9 Formation, Abu (UAE) 266–7 depth 142, 143–4 Dhabi 421–8 striae, erosive 61–2 downcutting 142–5 deposition environment 422–4 stromatolites 92, 310 marine crust breakthrough hydrocarbon generation and sulphate 142–3 accumulation 427–8 bacterial reduction in carbonate tidal deltas 20, 21 hydrocarbon structural replacement of vanished Tigris-Euphrates-Karun Delta traps 428 evaporites 299–311 14–17 seismic interpretation 425–7 destruction in saline aqueous alluvial fans 33 stratigraphy 421–2 environments 301 fluvial supply 16 tectonic activity 424–5 dissimilatory reduction 324, Holocene seal-level rise Upper Arab zone 425–7 333 16–17 Upper Jurassic Hanifa Formation Precambrian seawater shoreline 14–16 (Saudi Arabia) 376–8 concentrations 308–10 submarine parts 16–17 sulphate minerals wind contribution to vadose zone, hydrology 343 concentrations and solute sediment 16 vuggy porosity 272–3 source 250 total organic carbon (TOC) vugs, keystone 140 isotonic composition 125–7 evaporitic salts 361 origin 127 saline settings 328 wackestones, Upper Jurassic sabkha 118, 125–7 triterpanes 338 Hanifa Arab Abu Dhabi (UAE) 250, 251 Trucial/Emirates coastal area 137, Formation 423 sulphate-reducing bacteria 139 washover fans, Mussafah (SRB) 299–311 tufa-like deposits 23 channel 286 478 Index water fluxes, Abu Dhabi sabkha whitings contribution to sediment of Tigris- (UAE) 248–9 Arabian Gulf 78, 92, 209 Euphrates-KarunDelta 16 waves, marine geomorphological Arabian Shelf 19–20, 34 sabkha impact 118 features 52–9 brine lakes 346 worm tubes 84 Werra anhydrite (Zechstein, wind Poland) 446–7 Arabian Shelf carbonates 19 Zagros folding event 425