Final report GEOLOGICAL AND

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Comparison between the three parts of the study area . ...... 1- Each sand trap then was leveled and directed using Brunton compass to get more accuracy to.
Final report KISR

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF UM ALRIMAM DEPRESSION

EC035C Ali M. Al-Dousari, Al-Shareedah, A. and Al-Mutairi, M.

ENVIRONMENT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

KUWAIT INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH P.O. BOX : 24885 13109 – SAFAT - KUWAIT

March 2009

‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

‫‪KISR‬‬

‫استمارة ملخص بحث‬

‫‪ABSTRACT SHEET‬‬ ‫اسم المنشور‬

‫)‪AUTHORS(S‬‬

‫‪PUBLICATION TITLE‬‬

‫المؤلف ‪ /‬المؤلفين‬ ‫دراسة جيولوجية و جيومورفولوجية منخفض أم الرمم‬

‫د‪.‬على الدوسري‬

‫رمز المشروع‬

‫‪PROJECT TITLE‬‬

‫‪PROJECT CODE‬‬

‫اسم المشروع‬ ‫انظر اسم المنشور‬ ‫اإلدارة‬

‫‪DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM‬‬ ‫الدائرة‪/‬البرنامج‬ ‫السواحل وتلوث الهواء‬ ‫‪TYPE OF PUBLICATION‬‬ ‫‪ ☒ PROPOSAL‬مقترح‬

‫‪DIVISION‬‬ ‫البيئة والتنمية الحضرية‬

‫نوع المنشور‬ ‫‪TECHNICAL REPORT‬‬

‫□‬ ‫□‬

‫تقرير فني‬ ‫بحث‬

‫‪INTERIM REPORT‬‬

‫□‬

‫تقرير قبل النهائي‬

‫‪CONFERENCE‬‬ ‫‪PAPER‬‬ ‫‪PROGRESS REPORT‬‬

‫□‬

‫تقرير عن تقدم العامل‬

‫‪FINAL REPORT‬‬

‫□‬

‫تقرير نهائي‬

‫تصنيف أمني‬

‫‪SECURITY CLASSIFICATION‬‬ ‫‪CONFIDENTIAL‬‬

‫□‬

‫المستخلص (مخلص ال يزيد عن ‪ 300‬كلمة)‬

‫سري‬

‫‪RESTRICTED‬‬

‫□‬

‫مقيد‬

‫‪GENERAL‬‬

‫☒‬

‫عام‬

‫)‪ABSTRACT(SUMMARY OF NOT MORE THAN 300 WORDS‬‬

‫ي ع ت بر منخفض أم الرمم من أكبر المنخفضات في الكويت حيث يمتد عرضاا لمساافة ‪ 8‬كام مان الشارل لاى الوار و‬ ‫طوال لمسافة ‪ 9‬كم من الشمال لى الجنو ‪ .‬يمتاز هذا المعلم في دولة الكويت بخواص جيولوجية و مورفولوجية متميزة و‬ ‫لما كان من المحتمل أن يستول كبحيرة صناعية‪ ,‬أساتوج دراساة هاذل الخاواص الفريادة و برازهاا لمتخاذل الرارار‪ .‬تمثال‬ ‫هذل الدراسة عنصراً جديداً ليضاف لفهام هاذا المعلام المورفولاوجي المتمياز لاذا تام وضاو أول طريجاة جيولوجياة تفصايلية‬ ‫للمنخفض عالوة لى طريجة جيومورفولوجية أكثر دقة مو اإلستعانة بما ساب مان الخارا‬

‫رصاد طاللهاا معاالم لام يشاار‬

‫ليها من قبل‪ .‬جمعت العينات من الرواس السجحية في المنخفض بشكل ست طجوط عرضية غجت المنخفض كامال‪ ,‬كما‬ ‫رصدت الرواس الريحية (الوبار و الرمال) لمدة ‪ 12‬شهرا و قورنات ماو مثيالتهاا مان المنااط المجااورل‪ .‬كماا تام وضاو‬ ‫طرا‬

‫أطرى لتوزيو نس الرواس السجحية حس التصنيف الحجمي و عناصر التحليل اإلحصا ي‪.‬‬ ‫أن تفعيل وجود البحيرة الصناعية له كبير األثر في تنشي و تأهيل الحياة الفجرية (الحيوانية و النباتياة) ال ن جاراء‬

‫المزيد من الدراسة لترييم األثر البيئي مهم جدا و طاصة المتعلرة منها بتأثير مرادير التبخر و الحرارة في منجرة الدراسة‪.‬‬

‫أهم المصطلحات‬

‫‪KEY WORDS‬‬

‫أم الرمم – جيومورفولوجي – بحيرة صناعية‬

‫‪0077R9/84‬‬ ‫‪iii‬‬

‫‪ii‬‬

K

I S

‫بحـث ملـخص استمارة‬

R

ABSTRACT SHEET ‫أسم المنشور‬

PUBLICTION TITLE

Ali .M. Al-Dousari

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF UM AL-RIMAM DEPRESSION

ُُ ُ

‫رمز‬

PROJECT CODE

Same as Above

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM

CAD

‫ البرنامج‬/ ‫الدائرة‬

DIVISION

‫نوع المنشور‬

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION



 PERIODICAL ARTICLE

FINAL REPORT

 GENERAL ‫ي‬ ‫سرام‬ ‫ع‬

‫تقرير قبل النهائي‬ ‫نهائي‬

‫مقالة دورية‬

 CONFERNCE PAPER ‫بحــث‬

PROPOSAL

INTERIM REPORT

‫اإلدارة‬

EUD

TYPE OF PUBLICATION



‫اسم المشروع‬

PROJECT TITLE

NA

‫ مقتــرح‬

‫ المؤلفين‬/‫المؤلف‬

AUTHOR(S)



‫تقرير عن تقدم العمل‬

PROGRESS REPORT

‫أمني تصنيف‬

‫تقرير‬  RESTRICTED

CONFIDENTIAL

‫سرى‬ ABSTRACT (SUMMARY OF NOT MORE THAN 300 WORDS) Um Al-Rimam is one of the largest depression in Kuwait, roughly 8km N-S by 9.5km E-W, at the northern margin of Kuwait's desert. It is characterized by geological and geomorphological characteristics. As it is planning to use the depression as an artificial lake, It is important to study these characteristics to be ready in the hand of the decision makers. This study represents a new research element in understanding this distinctive geomorphological feature, therefore, the first detailed geological map for the depression was established in addition to a more precise geomorphologic map delineating more morphological features than other before. The samples were collected in a six line transects covering the whole depression. The aeolian activities were monitored for 12 months. New extra maps delineating the percentages of grain size fractions and statistical parameters were illustrated. The future existence of the artificial lake will have a positive effect in rehabilitation of the environment (vegetation and wildlife) but it is important to study the environmental impact assessment especially those regarding the evaporation rates and temperature effect. Introduction Key words: Um Al-Rimam, geomorphological, artificial lake

iii

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 The tectonic situation of the study area ................................................................................. 1 Aeolian Dust .......................................................................................................................... 5 THE STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................... 11 GEOLOGY .............................................................................................................................. 12 STRUCTURAL STABILITY ................................................................................................. 17 GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE AREA .................................................................................. 19 STRATIGRAPHY OF THE AREA ........................................................................................ 21 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 23 Monitoring of aeolian activities:.......................................................................................... 23 Difficulties ........................................................................................................................... 28 Dust collectors site selection ............................................................................................... 30 Monitoring dust ................................................................................................................... 30 STUDY RESULTS ................................................................................................................. 31 Dust fallout in the National Park ......................................................................................... 31 Comparison between the three parts of the study area ........................................................ 39 Dust fallout within other comparable local areas ................................................................ 41 Dust fallout within other comparable regional and global areas ......................................... 45 Mobile sand movement ....................................................................................................... 48 Lab Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 50 Sample Preparation......................................................................................................... 55 Physical Properties ......................................................................................................... 55 Mineralogical Analysis ................................................................................................... 59 Grain Size Analysis ........................................................................................................ 64 Graphical mean size (Φ/mm) ........................................................................................... 64 Sorting (δ) ..................................................................................................................... 65 Kurtosis (KG) ................................................................................................................ 66 Skewness (SK)............................................................................................................... 67 Mineralogical constituents (X.R.D) .................................................................................. 77

CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................... 82 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................ 82 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 86 APPENDIX-I ........................................................................................................................... 90 APPENDICES-II ..................................................................................................................... 91

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Table of Figures Figure 1. showing the formation of wadi Al-Batin in relation to Um Al-Rimam area ………1 Figure 2. Contour map with slope angles for the study area with A-B cross section…...…....3 Figure 3. Tectonic map of regional area showing the study area is in between Kuwait and AlDibdibba arches (Warsi, 1990) ….……..……..……..…..………………..……..…..4 Figure 4. Mophostructural map of Kuwait (Al-Sulaimi and El-Rubaa, 1994) ..…………......4 Figure 5. The Comet Program map of soil grain sizes in the Middle East ……..........…..…..9 Figure 6. Visible Satellite image with point sources of dust ..……...………………………..9 Figure 7. Areas of highest dust storm occurrence (the Comet Program) ….…..…………....10 Figure 8. Location of the study area on Landsat image March 2001 (boxed area) ………....11 Figure 9. Geological setting of the study area ……………….…………………….………..13 Figure 10. Aerial photo 1992 of 1:29,000 scale covering the Um Al-Rimam depression showing sand traps (R01, R02, R03 and R04) locations…………….…..………….14 Figure 11. General view of the Um Al-Rimam northern playa (Khabra) . Foreground, abandoned mudy sand ……………..………………………………..…...…………15 Figure 12. (A) Frequency distribution of yardang directions (%). (B) Frequency distribution of wind speed and directions (%) ……………….………………………….………16 Figure 13. Map showing the position of the two faults that located under Kuwait Bay (Modified after Al-Sarawi 1982) ….………………………..………...…………….18 Figure 14. Dust collector .……….…………………………………………………………..24 Figure 15. The total length (240 cm) and final shape of the dust collector.…………………25 Figure 16. Dust collector installed in southeastern part of study area ……….………...……26 Figure 17. Bird's droppings fallen to the ground and no wastes was found in any of the collected samples …..……………………………………….…………………...….27 Figure 18. Sand trap design ………....………………………………………………………28 Figure 19. Lizard was eaten in the fence of the dust collector by a falcon which caused extra work in cleaning the sample ..………………………..………………….…………29 Figure 20. Water filled into the sand collector during winter time ..………………….…… 30 Figure 21. Aerial photograph (1992) of the Um Al-Rimam Depressions ………...……...... 34 Figure 22. The northern depression of the Um Al-Rimam in summer time 28 August, 2005 …………………………………………………………………………………...… 35 Figure 23. The southern Playa empty of vegetation in the southern depression of the Um AlRimam……..……………………………………………………………………..... 35 Figure 24. Topographic map showing A-B line of cross section………………….……...…36 Figure 25. Cross section A-B of the Um Al-Rimam Depressions…………..…………....…37 Figure 26. Dust fallout variations (Tons/km2) with distance…………………………..…….38 Figure 27. The monthly dust fallout in the National Park during the period from September 2005 to August 2006……………..………………………………………………....39 Figure 28. Dust collectors at the northern border of the National Park (RD7) .………...….. 39 Figure 29. Dust collectors (RD4) in the Um Al-Rimam northern depression .....……….…. 40 Figure 30. Gravelly sandy soil in the northern Um Al-Rimam depression …..………….… 40 Figure 31. The average amount of dust fallout in the three main parts of the study area ………………………………………………………………………………………41 Figure 32. The monthly dust fallout in the study area during the period September 2005 to August 2006 ..………..……………………………………………………….…….42 Figure 33. Monthly variations of dust fallout in the three areas………..………………...….43 Figure 34. Dust fallout comparison between Bubiyan, Warba and Sabiya...…............……..44

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Figure 35. Monthly dust fallout (Tons/km2), comparison between different areas of Kuwait with the study areas………………………………..………………………….…….44 Figure 36. Annual dust fallout (Tons/km2), comparison between different areas of Kuwait with the study areas………………………………..………………………………..45 Figure 37. The monthly average of dust fallout for the three parts of the study area in comparison to local, regional and global areas…………………….……………….47 Figure . 38. The average annual dust fallout for the three parts of the study area in comparison to local, regional and global areas………………..……….…..…….…48 Figure 39. Leveling the ground surrounding the sand traps…………….…………...………51 Figure 40. Sediment fixation using water and stabilizer to minimize the effect of sediment disturbance during installations…………………….…………………………….…52 Figure 41. Collecting the dust fallout from the containers……………………………..……53 Figure 42. The containers were carefully collected………………………...………….…….54 Figure 43. The sides of the containers carefully washed by distilled water……………..…..54 Figure 44. The sample being carefully collected……………………………………….……55 Figure 45. Labeling of samples………………………………………………………………55 Figure 46. Washing the containers and filling with distilled water………………………….56 Figure 47. The variation of dust fallout in the study area in comparison to other collected samples within Kuwait……………………………………………………...…...….59 Figure 48. Variability in the surface area with time to the study area comparing with Sabiya samples ..…………………………….……….…………………………..…………59 Figure 49. The variation of dust fallout in the study area in comparison with other collected samples in the world…………………………………………………………...……60 Figure . 50. Mineral percentages of the dominant minerals found in dust fallout………...…62 Figure . 51. Quartz percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples…….…………...62 Figure . 52. Calcite percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples…………………63 Figure . 53. Dolomite percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples………………63 Figure . 54. Plagioclase percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples………….…64 Figure . 55. Other minerals percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples…...…....64 Figure 56: Mean size (Φ)……………………………..….……..……………………….…..66 Figure 57: Sorting……………………………………..….…………………………………67 Figure 58: Kurtosis (KG)… …………………………………………………………….…..68 Figure 59: Skewness (SK) ……………………………………………………………...…..69 Figure 60. Average grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18)……….....71 Figure 61. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in April (a) and May (b) ……………………………………………….…………………….……………72 Figure 62. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in June (a) ………73 Figure 63. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in August (a) and September (b) ………………………………………..……………………………..74 Figure 64. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in October (a) and November (b) ……………………………..………………………………………..75 Figure 65. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in December (a) and January (b) ……………………………………………………………………….…76 Figure 66. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in February (a) and March (b) …………………………………………..……………………...…….….77 Figure 70. Other minerals percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam.……………79 Figure 68. Feldspars percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam ………………….80 Figure 69. Calcite percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam…………….…….....81 Figure 70. Other minerals percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam…....……….82

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Table of Tables

Table 1. Relationship between the wind speed, dust Storms and visibility………………….7 Table 2: The recorded seismic events in the Um Al-Rimam Depression (1st March, 1997- 15th February, 2007) ………………………………………...…………………………..19 Table 3. location of dust collectors .....……………………………………...………………28 Table 4. The amount of fallen dust (gm) in all stations………………………..……………46 Table 5. The average amount of dust fallout in the study areas in comparison to local, regional and global site samples ..…………………………………….……….………….…49 Table 6. Location of sand traps. ………………………………………………..……………51 Table 7. Sand traps in Um Al-Rimam (R01, R02, R03 AND R04)…………………………52 Table 8. A semi-quantitative analysis done by XRD represented by mineral percentages of the dominant minerals found in dust fallout …….………………………..…………….61 Table 9. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in the study area for one year………………70

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INTRODUCTION The tectonic situation of the study area The location and types of surface sediments, including sand deposits within Kuwait in general and the Um Al-Rimam area in particular, have previously been investigated by a number of scientists, for example Al-Asfour, 1982, Al-Rashed (1990), Khalaf et al. (1980) and Kelio (1990). Among the important conclusions and recommendations which were made in these early studies are those extensive development activities in the Um Al-Rimam are subject to severe impacts of migrating sand and human interference. Regarding the origin of Um Al-Rimam area, it was considered as paleochannel. The satellite image detects the hinge of huge delta deposits of Miocene to Pleistocene age called the Al-Dibdibba Formation (Figure 1). Al-Ahwar drained marshes IRAN Curvature of the delta upper flank

Depression Limits of active mobile sand

Limits of dune corridor

IRAQ

KUWAIT

Flanks of the delta

ARABIAN GULF

SAUDI ARABIA

Head of the delta

0

90 km

Figure 1. showing the formation of wadi Al-Batin in relation to Um Al-Rimam area.

1

Figure 2 shows the location of the study area in relation to elevation and slope angles. Only one physiographic province can be recognized in the surrounding of Um Al-Rimam, the Al-Dibdibba gravelly plain. The surface of the area is carved into a depositional sequence locally called the Kuwait Group, which ranges in age from Miocene to Pleistocene. Kuwait group is all well observed in Um Al-Rimam, This Group is divided into three Formations, namely; the Ghar, Fars and Al-Dibdibba. In the northeastern and northwestern parts of Kuwait MiocenePleistocene sand and gravel deposits of the Al-Dibdibba Formation outcrop, while in the southeast Miocene sand, clay and nodular limestones of Fars and Ghar Formations outcrop (Warsi, 1990). A tectonic map of Kuwait and the surrounding areas is shown in (Figure 3). Structurally the study area is located in between two main arches namely: Kuwait and AlDibdibba arches. Al-Sulaimi and El-Rabaa (1994) demonstrate that morphostructural analysis and interpretation of the geomorphic features of the surface of Kuwait are essentially dependent on the recognition of the structural configuration of the top of the upper Eocene Dammam Formation and its influence on the overlying sediments of the Al-Dibdibba Formation (Figure 4). Khalaf et al. (1984) suggested that the gravelly deposits of the Al-Dibdibba Formation were deposited as a channel fill separated by interchannel flood plains formed of finer materials. With the advent of aridity the finer materials were deflated and the gravel and gravelly sand channel fill were reserved to elongate ridges (Khalaf et al. 1984). The huge delta deposits represent the Al-Dibdibba Formation (Miocene to Pleistocene) and have two clearly defined flanks. The fluvial channel that is responsible for the deposition of the Al-Dibdibba Formation extends 700 km southwestward into Saudi Arabia where it is referred to as Wadi Ar-Rimah in the Arabian Shield mountains. It is clearly observed that the upper flank of the delta in Iraq has shifted its position toward the northwest. The change in position of the flank has resulted in the formation of a narrow corridor which acts as a ‘tunnel’ through which airflow and dune movement is focused towards the southeast.

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Figure 2. Contour map with slope angles for the study area with A-B cross section (contours in meters).

3

Al

Figure 3. Tectonic map of regional area showing the study area is in between Kuwait and Al-Dibdibba arches (Warsi, 1990.).

Figure 4. Mophostructural map of Kuwait (Al-Sulaimi and El-Rubaa, 1994).

4

Aeolian Dust Dust and sandstorms are one of the important weather phenomena in Kuwait and its surrounding countries (Tindale and Pease, 1999; Pease et al., 1998). In 1980 a final report of the project titled Mineralogy, granulometery and distribution pattern of the dust fallout (Toze) in Kuwait was completed. Another project was done studying the dust fallout in ROPME sea area in 1987 (EES-12). Generally these studies was taken as a reference to our study in a long term monitoring for the dust fallout in Kuwait. These previous projects found that local sources contribute about 30% of the total dust in Kuwait. Al-Basri (1993) stated that statistical analysis of dust phenomena data (1960-1989) in Kuwait shows that dust storms occur during 17.3% of the total dust phenomena days, rising dust occurs during 46% of the days while suspended dust occurs during 35.9% of the days. He had also mentioned that analysis of the hourly prevalence shown that dust storms occur 11.5% of the hours while rising dust for 52.7% and suspended dust for 35.7%. The dust storms passing over Kuwait are considered to be major sources of sediments (Khalaf et al., 1982; Al-Bakri et al., 1984). There is no single study regarding the dust fallout done in Kuwait with enough monitoring time (one year). As a result, there was no established data that can be referred to except two studies with monitoring period of one year. Foda et al., (1985) carried out a preliminary investigation on the dust fallout rate required to neutralize the buoyancy of floating tar balls in the Arabian Gulf but no field measurements or experiments have verified such effect. Other interesting aspects of the dust fallout are its possible effects on drying of the "Al-Ahwar,” salt marshes which has been carried out by the Iraqi regime in the southern part of Iraq. Gharib et al., (1987) believed that dust fallout in Kuwait is most probably derived from the southern Iraq. The effect could be recognizable in Kuwait, especially as it is located in the southern Mesopotamian flood plain. The effects of the dust associated with the

5

existing quarries in the study area may contribute to general health aspects (Redha, 1996). The effects of dust range from pollution of air to possible impact on climate (Junge, 1958). During the occurrence of dust storm, numerous problems are created including spread of disease through pathogen transport, suffocation of cattle, development of static electricity, interruption of radio services, disruption of transport and damaging of property (Idso, 1978). Airborne dusts can be defined as small particles produced from parent materials by deliberate or adventitious processes of breakage, that have become dispersed into the air by projection from fast moving machines or by winnowing action of air current (Walton, 1991). Increasingly, it is being recognized that dust storms may have numerous environmental consequences including a possible effect on climatic change, ocean sedimentation, soil formation, ground water quality, crop growth and glacial ice quality (Goudie, 1978). Perhaps more importantly they result in substantial degree of erosion and deflation, especially in the arid zone areas. In the areas of dust storm, together with other miscellaneous atmospheric inputs like rain, fog and thorough fall, add materials to drainage basins (Goudie, 1978). Desert areas are important sources of mineral dust to the atmosphere, which upon deposition can influence oceanic and terrestrial biochemical cycles and affect forest productivity (Avila and Penuelas, 1999). Dust traveling long distances is commonly very fine with the predominant sizes between 0.068 and 0.02 mm (Walker and Costing, 1971). Kuwait, including the study area, is susceptible to dust storms because of its low topographic relief, scantly vegetation cover, light-textured topsoil and recurring strong and turbulent winds.

These devastating phenomena have widespread adverse effects on the

environment, the economy and the quality of the life.

The variation in the density and

distribution of vegetation observed in satellite images of Kuwait are directly related to the amount of rainfall and overgrazing (Kwarteng and Al-Ajmi, 1996). Comparison of Landsat

6

images (1992, 1995 and 1998) shows an increase in the off-road tracks with time in Jahra area (Misak et al., 2000). Tureah (1980) classifies the dust phenomena depending on visibility and wind speed into four categories as shown in table 1. Dust reduces visibility, which may contribute to a variety of transportation and navigation safety hazards. It can also act as a carrier for various types of pollutants, especially pesticides, by absorbing them on the suspended particles and transporting them to remote areas. Dust can also cause damage and maintenance problems to machinery and equipment by the abrasion effects of moving particles. Controlling dust fallout to reduce its adverse impact requires full understanding of all parameters and factors related to it (Toze). Deflation is conspicuous only in the absence of vegetation and presence of material that is capable of being picked up by the wind. Soil compaction and crustation that caused by either natural causes or off-road vehicle tracks reduces the soil infiltration capacity. Consequently a massive destruction to the gravel cover by water erosion takes place. The reduction of soil infiltration capacity in Kuwait due to soil compaction and land degradation was studied by Al-Dousari et al., (2000) in Al-Salmi area, and Misak et al., (2002) in Kabd area. Table 1. Relationship between the wind speed, dust Storms and visibility Wind speed (mile/h)

Visibility (meter)

Aeolian phenomena

24-26

4000

Dense dust fallout

26-28

2000

-

28-30

1000

Sand storms

30-33

Less than 1000

-

(Source: Tureah, 1980)

7

Recently, there are extra new sources of dust noticed on the regional scale. The area has suffered from three war activities. These are: The Iraq-Iran war (1980-1988), The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and Desert storm (August 1990 - February 1991) and the liberation of Iraq (March, 2003).

These major war activities caused a huge mass destruction to the surrounding

environment. The dust is blowing from Mesopotamian flood plain in southern Iraq. Recent satellite images show new dust generation localities. The effect of dust storms is global. The dust storms pass through the Arabian Gulf from Arabia to Iran and vice versa. Huge farm fields in Iraq and Iran are degraded due to action of wind. These farms act as newly introduced sources of dust to downwind areas. The clay and silt particles are usually lifted by suspension and act as the main component of the dust storm. The new satellite images clearly show that dust is blowing through multiple locations depending mostly on wind direction. Therefore, it is mainly important to study and re-investigate the dust fallout in Kuwait. Due to regional changes within the terrestrial ecosystem, it is essential to identify the dust sources using satellite images and laboratory analysis. This study is a new approach in understanding the dust fallout and suspended particulates phenomena’s in the study area. The Comet Program map of soil grain sizes in the Middle East illustrates Kuwait surrounded by mud and fine sand fractions (Figure 5). This map can be easily correlated to the Visible Satellite image with point sources of dust shown in Figure 6. The areas show the highest dust storm occurrence according to Comet Program map located in northern and northwestern Kuwait and the main wind directions from these directions (Figure 7).

8

Figure 5. The Comet Program map of soil grain sizes in the Middle East.

Figure 6. Visible Satellite image with point sources of dust.

9

Figure 7. Areas of highest dust storm occurrence (the Comet Program). The main objectives of this research project are: 1.

To delineate all geological and geomorphological features in the area.

2.

To assess the physical (morphometry of the grains) and chemical (mineralogical percentages) characteristics of the surface sediment of the Um Al-Rimam Depression and aeolian activities (dust and sand).

10

THE STUDY AREA

The study area is located in the northern sector of the Kuwait Bay, northern Kuwait (Figure 8). It is situated 35 km to the southeast of Jahra City, forming part of arid region called Um Al-Rimam. The study area is about 81 km2 and represents the largest depression in Kuwait. The area is located between 29o 30/ and 29o 35/ N and 47o 42 and 47o 46/.

Bahra

Figure 8. Location of the study area on Landsat image March 2001 (boxed area).

Um Al-Rimam depression as other parts of Kuwait has a hot and dry climate. The mean air temperature in summer (July) is 37oC with a fairly large diurnal temperature range of about 17oC in January. The highest recorded average temperature was 51o C in July 1978, while the lowest average temperature was 6o C in January, 1964 (KISR, 2000). Precipitation is scanty and erratic. The mean total is about 112 mm/yr. Wind blows dominantly from two main directions,

11

the northwest, and to a lesser extent from the southeast. Mean speeds of 4.5, 5.5 and 6 m/s at 10, 30 and 50 m in height, respectively; have been recorded in the anemometric station in Al-Jahra area 35 km to the west of the depression. The maximum speed measured in the Airport Meteorological Station (50 km south of the Um Al-Rimam depression) reached 38 m/s (136 km/h) as a maximum wind speed in 1979. The WNW winds are the dominant direction (KISR, 2000).

GEOLOGY

A detailed geological map was prepared through field survey and interpretation of aerial photographs 1972 and 1992 of 1:29,000 and 1:33,000 scales ( Figure 9). The depression is elongated and preferentially orientated in the N–S direction. Aerial photo 1992 and geomorphological map clearly show geological and geomorphological characteristics of the Um Al-Rimam depression (Figure 10 and 11). The flat bottoms of the two basins host playas, called khabra in the region. There are two playas in the surveyed area called Um Al-Rimam Shamaliya khabra and Janubiya khabra, whose bottoms cover 0.39 and 0.72 km2 in area. The playas are developed on Quaternary alluvial sediments (around 48 m a.s.l.), deeply entrenched on an exhumed structural platform forming the two depressions of the Um Al-Rimam. The subhorizontal topography of the platform is interrupted by two closed depressions of Um AlRimam. These closed basins show extremely flat bottoms and may have scarped or gentle margins. This platform (75 m a.s.l.) is composed of Tertiary sediments and extended from Jal Al-Zur (3 km) to the south covering the northern desert of Kuwait.

There are varieties of aeolian morphological features in the area, such as yardangs, deflation hallows, nabkhas and falling dunes. The yardangs are scarped in Tertiary sandstone and playa sediments. According to Chapman, 1974 and El-Sayed, 1994 the calcretic crust within

12

the Tertiary sandstone must have developed during the late Pliocene and early Holocene, when wide climatic variations and gradual increase in aridity occurred. These crusts are playing an important role in yardang development. 93% of the studied yardangs scarped in the Tertiary rocks are developed from calcritic crusts.

Figure 9. Geological setting of the study area, 1-Dibdibba Formation (MiocenePleistocene), 2-Lower Faris Formation (Lower-mid Miocene), 3- Ghar Formation (Oligocene to Lower Miocene), 4- Quaternary sediments and 5- Playa deposits.

13

R04

R03 Shamaliya Playa

Northern depression R02 Neck area

R01 Janubiya Playa Southern depression

Sand trap location

Figure 10. Aerial photo 1992 of 1:29,000 scale covering the Um Al-Rimam depression showing sand traps (R01, R02, R03 and R04) locations

14

Figure 11. Geomorphological map of the Um Al-Rimam depressions: (1) erosional

platform; (2) floor of the depression; (3) piedmont slopes; (4) alluvial fans; (5) playa bottom; (6) falling dunes; (7) single yardangs; (8) Lycium shawii nabkhas; (9) Haloxylon salicornicum nabkhas; (10) cliff; (11) water channels & gullies.

The exhumed platform is composed of Oligo-Pleistocene continental sediments locally named as Kuwait Group. There are three main formations within Kuwait Group, namely: Ghar, Lower Fars and Dibdibba formations. These formations are well described by Milton (1965).The Lower Fars Formation (Middle Miocene) is composed of fossiliferous mudy sandstone, while the Oligocene-Lower Miocene non fossiliferous calcretic sandstone layers is known as Ghar

15

Formation ( Figure 9). Land surface of the study area is composed of clastic sediments locally known as the Dibdibba Formation. The Dibdibba Formation (Miocene to Pleistocene) is composed of sand and gravels with minor clay and gypsifereous sandy clay beds (Milton, 1965 and Khalaf et al., 1995). Sand and gravel act as a low conductor for solar radiation which results in the increase of temperature of the top surface and the surrounding air.

There are three main terraces were observed within the Um Al-Rimam depression. These terraces have been investigated by (Al-Asfour, 1982). She believed that those terraces developed as a result of sea level changes. A group of yardangs develops in each of these terraces. The orientation of these yardangs is much convenient with the prevailing wind direction (Figure 12).

A

B

Figure 12. (A) Frequency distribution of yardang directions (%). (B) Frequency distribution of wind speed and directions (%).

16

STRUCTURAL STABILITY Seismic activities in and around Um Al-Rimam Depression were monitored using the Kuwait National Seismic Network (KNSN) stations (eight permanent stations and three portable stations). The permanent stations operated in first of March 1997 and the portable stations were installed in 12 June 2006 till 15 February 2007. Attempts made to identify subsurface fault(s), its orientation and depth. According to the observations, KNSN located only six seismic events were detected around the Um Al-Rimam Depression (Table 2). The local magnitudes of these micro-earthquake events range from 0.8 to 2.3 degrees. Consequently, there are no pronounced faults in Um Al-Rimam Depression were observed which illuminates the structural (folding and faulting) factor in yardangs developments in the study area. Also, it was observed that valleys falls into the depression are with sporadic and random orientations. These observations and conclusions are consistent with the structural survey done by (Al-Sulaimi and El-Rabaa, 1994) that reveals no faulting in Um Al-Rimam Depression. Asfour (1982) related the origin of the Um Al-Rimam to fluvial action. Milton (1967) considered the Um Al-Rimam depressions as an extension to the Jal Al-Zur escarpment to be possibly a mere erosional feature because no indications of a tectonic origin have been found in oil well in Bahra area 45 km to the east of the study area. According to Kuwait Oil Company (K.O.C.) geophysical surveys (1956–1974) for Bahra oil field, there are two faults under the Kuwait Bay running parallel to the orientation of the Jal-Az-Zor (NE-SW) escarpment (Al-Sarawi, 1982). These faults not continue to the Um AlRimam in consistence with the seismic quietness of the depression.

17

Figure 13. Map showing the position of the two faults that located under Kuwait Bay (Modified after Al-Sarawi 1982).

18

Table 2: The recorded seismic events in the Um Al-Rimam Depression (1st March, 199715th February, 2007). Date

Time

Location

Magnitude Depth

Year

Month

Day

Hour

Minute

Seconds

Latitude

Longitude

(km)

Coda

Local

1999

5

28

14

53

51.6

29.601

47.884

5.2

2.6

2.3

1999

5

29

18

54

8.2

29.617

47.873

3

2.3

1.6

1999

6

5

2

5

23.1

29.589

47.866

4.5

1.9

1.3

2001

7

5

22

11

50.3

29.611

47.798

0.2

0.8

0.8

2005

12

1

17

17

11.3

29.542

47.874

4.1

2.2

1.9

2005

12

18

14

39

51.3

29.533

47.825

5

1.7

1.7

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE AREA

The study area Um Al-Rimam is located in the northern portion of Kuwait; the maximum elevation of the area is 90 m above sea level. This study area has the following characteristics: 1- A variety of different surface sediments (pebbly sheets, active sand sheets, wadi fill deposits, nabkha deposits, falling dunes, yardangs). 2- Geomorphologically, the study area exhibits the following land forms: o Hydrological basins: (wadis and khabari) o Wadis: there are 11 main wadis within the study area. The trending of the main wadis within the study area is reflected from the underneath morphostructural features (Figure 4). These features are the two elongated narrow ridges and parallel structural continuity that are trending at the same direction of these wadis. Al-Sulami and Mukhopadhyay (2000) detect a prospective area for low

19

quality near surface groundwater accumulations within Um Al-Rimam area (the study area). o Khabrat: the presence of surrounded ridges and manmade features within the study area result in the formation of different playas within the area. The playas are northern and southern khabrat. o Aeolian landforms: 

Depositional features such as sand sheets, falling dunes, nebkhas…elts. These features are commonly found within the main hydrological basins in the northern depression.



Erosional features that are represented by the yardangs (calcretic, sandy and muddy ridges) that are sporadically distributed within the study area.

There are some remarks regarding the geomorphological characteristics of the study area such as: 

The whole study area is mostly covered by widespread gravel plains. Parallel gravel capped ridges trend to the northeast. Although only a few meters in altitude above the general level of the surface, they are very conspicuous and characteristic features of this area. These ridges are barren of vegetation, but there is some vegetation in the sandy depressions separating them.



The wadis and the playas are usually localised in the depressions.



The extension of Al-Liyah ridge as a geomorphic feature at the northern part of Um AlRimam. This ridge is barren of any vegetation and about 1.5 km wide, but east of the study area it widens to form a low plateau.

20

The surface of the platform surrounding Um Al-Rimam is generally slightly undulating or slopes gradually towards the main depression of the Um Al-Rimam with an average gradient of 4.8 m km-1. It comprises a relatively well articulated terrain represented by a whole set of low elongated ridges trending in the northeast direction. The ridges are low, relatively wide, with flat surfaces and are gently are sloping toward the northeast. They are separated by sub-parallel, shallow, wide valleys and elongated depressions following the general direction of the ridges. While the maximum relief is about 50 m (from highest elevation (100 m) to lowest (50 m) in the area), the valleys cut through the whole thickness of the upper member of Al-Dibdibba Formation exposing the calcretic pebbly sandstone of the lower Al-Dibdibba at the foot of the ridges.

STRATIGRAPHY OF THE AREA

The Al-Dibdibba Formation consists of all beds above the fossilifereous horizons of the Lower Fars Formation. The Formation is composed of sand and gravels with minor clay and gypsifereous sandy clay beds. The beds show poor to medium stratification and in places the sand is cemented by calcium carbonate and gypsum (Milton, 1965). Gypcrete is abundant in the northern area, where it is developed in the upper horizon of the sandy gravel deposits of the AlDibdibba Formation (Khalaf, 1989). The thickness of the Al-Dibdibba Formation in Kuwait increases toward the north and northwest, from few metres in the Jal Al-Zur area to a few hundreds of meters in the AlHuwamiliyah area. It is been recognised through open pits, quarries and constructed berms that there are discontinuous layers of calcrete within the Al-Dibdibba Formation. Also, the upper part of the Formation consists of coarse gravels composed of igneous and metamorphic rock debris.

21

Although these gravels differ widely in size, they generally increase in average size toward the west. In some of the northern gravel quarries and the ravines along the east of the Wadi AlBatin, elliptical boulders, as much as 50 cm in length along the major axis, have been found (Milton, 1965). The Al- Dibdibba Formation is believed to range in age from Miocene through to late Pleistocene. The Lower Fars Formation is the second formation within the Kuwait Group. The best outcrop of the Lower Fars is in Jal Al-Zur escarpment east of the lower part of the study area. The formation consists mainly of sandstone and calcrete with bedding of coarse and fine sands. It also consists of alternating red and yellow sandstone, with red and green clays and various intermediate clayey sandstones and silty clays. Fossils and bioturbation are moderately common in the Lower Fars compared to the upper formation (Al-Dibdibba), but individual fossil beds cannot be traced laterally more than one or two miles. The presence of some fossils that can be laterally correlated with the Lower Fars of Iran places the Lower Fars in the lower to middle Miocene (Milton, 1965). The Ghar Formation is the lower and oldest formation of Kuwait Group. The outcrop of this formation is at the foot of Jal Al-Zur escarpment. It is also composed dominantly of coarse to pebbly sandstone. Calcretes and green clay bed and balls are also scattered through some of the outcrops of Jal Al-Zur escarpment. There are no fossils within this formation, but from stratigraphic considerations the Ghar Formation has been placed in the Oligocene and Lower Miocene (Milton, 1965).

22

METHODOLOGY

There are four main methods applied in Um Al-Rimam area: 1- Monitoring the dust fallout by installing 9 dust collectors in the study area and surroundings for comparison for at least 18 months period containing two summers. 2- Monitoring the sand movement by installing 4 sand traps in the field covering the whole study area for one year. 3- Monitoring the erosion and deposition around main wadi within the study area. 4- Sampling of the whole depression for sedimentological and mineralogical analysis.

Monitoring of aeolian activities: The dust collectors were design according to (Figure 14) and few developments in the design were made. These design developments were concentrated in the dust containers where they were sealed from high evaporation rates (Figure 15). Marbles and distilled water were filled in these containers in order to capture all fallen dust. Nine dust collectors were fixed in the field already as shown on (Figure 16 and Table 3). The ring around the container is to reduce the bird's wastes not to get inside the collectors and contaminates the sample (Figure 17). Four uni-directional sand traps were manufactured at KISR workshop as in design shown in (Figure 18). The sand traps consist of 120 cm stainless steel pipe with two openings one is covered by 0.097 millimeters mesh. All parts of sand trap were locally manufactured. The dust and sand were collected monthly from the sand traps and dust collectors.

23

Figure 14. Dust collector

24

Figure 15. The total length (240 cm) and final shape of the dust collector.

25

Figure 16. Dust collector installed in southeastern part of study area.

26

Figure 17. Bird's droppings fallen to the ground and no wastes was found in any of the collected samples.

Table 3. location of dust collectors. Sample number RD9 RD8

Longitude

Latitude

Area

774813 777589

3267940 3287685

National Park

Slope foot of Jal Al-Zour

National Park

NE corner of the Park

RD7

767335

3288128

National Park

Northern fence

RD6

767882

3287350

National Park

150 m from the fence

RD5

766590

3274325

National Park

Um Rimam playa

RD4

766638

3272955

National Park

North Um Rimam

RD3

772579

3269966

National Park

Jal Al-Zour

RD2

772906

3269398

National Park

Slope foot of Jal Al-Zour

RD1

773303

3268908

National Park

Slope foot of Jal Al-Zour

27

Location

Figure 18. Sand trap design.

Difficulties Few difficulties were faced during fixing and distributing the dust collectors and sample collection as noted below: 

Difficulties in finding appropriate sites for monitoring stations (dust collectors).



The destruction of many dust collectors within the preserved area during spring and winter time (2 collectors).



The use of dust collectors by big birds (such as falcons) to catch and eat their preys on the top of the collectors as shown in Figure 19.



Some sand traps filled with water during rain storms in winter time (Figure 20).

28

Figure 19. Lizard was eaten in the fence of the dust collector by a falcon which caused extra work in cleaning the sample.

Figure 20. Water filled into the sand collector during winter time. 29

Dust collectors site selection Based on reconnaissance field survey, analyses of satellite images (2001 & 2002 ). Nine sites for dust collectors were selected two of them in Um Al-Rimam. During selection of these sites the following criteria were considered: 

The selected sites were away from desert roads by at least 100 m ( to avoid sources of dust raised by vehicles).



Appropriate geographical distribution for the dust collectors.



Avoidance of the impact of obstacles such as buildings ( at least 100m apart from existing facilities )



Reasonable access to the sites.

After selecting the sites of the dust collectors, and recording their coordinates using GPS, the collectors were erected in the ground using concrete. Soil disturbance caused by the installation of these collectors was maintained through ground leveling.

Monitoring dust Dust fallout is generated in Um Al-Rimam by strong turbulent winds which lift great quantities of fine particulates from dry surfaces into the air. To monitor the dust fallout in the study area, 28 dust collectors were installed. These collectors cover the whole study area (borders and mid area) and surroundings. As expected that there is a higher concentration of dust near the wadis which can be attributed to the large contribution of local rather than regional sources, and to local geomorphology of the area where a lot of dry wadis contributes in feeding the predominant northwesterly wind with dust particles. As also expected, dust fallout was higher near excavated

30

areas. The fist dust collection from containers was taken place in Monday 2nd of May 2005 representing April 2005.

STUDY RESULTS

Dust fallout are generated in Um Al-Rimam and surrounding areas by strong turbulent winds which lifts great quantities of fine particulates from dry surfaces into the air. To monitor the dust fallout in the area and compare it with the surroundings, 28 dust collectors were installed. These collectors cover the eastern, western and southern parts of the study area. The dust collectors were fixed in the study area, and two other areas for comparisons, these are: 

The Um Al-Rimam depression (2 dust collectors)



Sabah Al-Ahmed National Park (7 dust collectors).



Al-Liyah area (10 dust collectors).



Al-Jahra City (9 dust collectors).

Dust fallout in the National Park Nine dust collectors were fixed in the National Park area, two of them in UmAl-Rimam. This area is characterized by the following geomorphological and morphodynamic features: 

Jal Al-Zur escarpment



Um Al-Rimam depression



Um Al-Rimam playas



Dissected wadis



A marine environment represented by the southern inter-tidal zone



A preserved coastal area.



Open desert flat in the northern side 31



Coastal Nabkha field

The nine dust collectors were fixed to represent and cover all these features. Um Al-Rimam depressions as a major geomorphological feature in the National park is represented by two main depression with about 7.5 km maximum length and 4.5 km maximum width as shown in aerial photograph (Figure 10). Both two depressions are hosted by playas (Figure 21, 22 and 23). Figure 24 illustrates the variation in contour line in the Um Al-Rimam Depressions. The depth of the northern depression is about 48 m above sea level while the southern depression is only 60 m above sea level as illustrated in the cross section A-B (Figure 25).

Figure 21. Northern playa of Um Al-Rimam Depression in February 2007.

32

Figure 22. The northern depression of the Um Al-Rimam in summer time 28 August, 2005.

33

Figure 23. The southern Playa empty of vegetation in the southern depression of the Um Al-Rimam.

Figure 24. Topographic map showing A-B line of cross section.

34

Figure 25. Cross section A-B of the Um Al-Rimam Depressions.

Figure 26 shows the variation in dust fallout (Tons/km2) with distance. It was observed from the final results of this study that the northern border dust collectors (RD7 and RD8) and southern collector (RD9) are showing the highest collection in comparison to other collectors. The northern part of the National Park is bordered by the desert environment, while the southern part is bordered by the inter-tidal coastal zone. This indicates that the muddy inter-tidal zone and the Um Al-Rimam depressions muddy playa deposits represents one of the major sources of local dust fallout in this part of the study area.

35

The variations in dust fallout in all station with time are well illustrated in Figure 27. September and November are showing the lowest dust collection in the area.

Also, dust

collectors at the border are more variable than those in the mid of the National Park. The northern border of the National Park dust collectors (RD7, RD8 and RD6) are fixed in a sandy soil (Figure 28), while collectors in the Um Al-Rimam northern depression (RD4) and the southern border (RD9) are in a muddy soil (Figure 29). Few meters to the north of Um AlRimam Depression the gravelly sandy soil appears as shown in Figure 30 where we fixed a dust collector for comparison.

Average dust fallout (Tons/km2)

National Park 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 RD1

RD2

RD3

RD4

RD5

RD6

RD7

RD8

RD9

Figure 26. Average monthly variations of dust fallout variations (Tons/km2) showing RD4 in the playa with higher amounts of dust in comparison to the surroundings (RD1,2,3 and 5).

36

1.2 Natunal Park

RD2

1.0 Dust (Tons/km2)

RD1

RD3

0.8

RD4 RD5

0.6

RD7

0.4

RD8 RD9

0.2

Mean RD6

0.0 Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul-06 Aug05 05 05 05 06 06 06 06 06 06 06

Figure 27. The monthly dust fallout in the National Park during the period from September 2005 to August 2006 (Um Al-Rimam represented by RD 4 AND 5).

37

Figure 28. Dust collectors at the northern border of the National Park (RD7).

Figure 29. Dust collectors (RD4) in the Um Al-Rimam northern depression.

38

Figure 30. Gravelly sandy soil in the northern Um Al-Rimam depression. Comparison between the two parts of the study area It was observed from the data of the study area and National Park (eastern part of the study area) show the lowest quantities of monthly deposited dust are comparable to southern and western parts of the study area (Figure 31). On the other hand, the northern parts of the National Park with Um AL-Rimam show the highest quantities of collected dust from the dust collectors while the southern parts show the lowest. On the other hand, these quantities of dust is much lower than Al-Jahra and Al-Liyah area.

Figure 31. The average monthly dust fallout in the three main parts of the National Park in comparison to Al-Jahra and Al-Liyah.

The end results also show lower quantities of dust toward the southern parts of the area. The study shows higher quantities of dust in the Um Al-Rimam northern playa in summer time

39

in comparison to the north side of Um Al-Rimam. Figure 31 clearly illustrates the dust fallout amount variability between Al-Jahra, Al-Liyah National Park and Um Al-Rimam. Figure 32 illustrates higher quantities of dust in the study area during the period February to August 2006 and lower quantities of dust during the period September 2005 to January 2006. Figure 33 illustrates the monthly variations of dust fallout in the four areas.

The latter figure also

illustrates higher quantities of fallen dust in the Um Al-Rimam area all the months except for the period from June to October where a sudden increase in the dust amount.

Average dust (Tons/km2)

4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug05 05 05 05 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 Figure 32. The monthly dust fallout in the study area during the period September 2005 to August 2006.

40

Figure 33. Monthly variations of dust fallout in the three areas. Dust fallout within other comparable local areas In comparison to Um Al-Rimam, a study was done for measuring the dust fallout in the Bubiyan island, Warba Island and the Sabiya area is showing the opposite situation, that is high quantities of dust during the period from September to December 2002 due to huge military maneuvers in preparation for the Iraq Liberation War (Figure 34). Also, the quantities of both monthly and annual dust fallout in the comparable areas are much higher than those in the study areas (Figure 35 and 36). The amount of dust fallout within Bubiyan island, Warba Island and the Sabiya area that were measured during 2001 and 2003 are triple the amount of dust fallout in our study area. This might be due to the following reasons: 1.

The higher contribution of dust from regional sources specially those coming from Mesopotamian Flood Plain.

2.

Higher amount of silt and clay particles within the tidal flats and channels within Bubiyan island. 41

60

Bubiyan Warba

Dust (tons/km2)

50

Al-Sabiyah

40 30 20 10 0 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug Sep

Oct

Nov

Month Figure 34. Dust fallout comparison between Bubiyan, Warba and Sabiya.

Figure 35. Annual dust fallout (Tons/km2), comparison between different areas of Kuwait with the study areas.

42

Figure 36. Annual dust fallout (Tons/km2), comparison between different areas of Kuwait with the study areas. Table 4 shows the monthly dust fallout (Tons/km2) in all stations of the study area. This table supports figure 33 which illustrates high dust fallout during three months in particular, these are: July, April and February respectively.

43

Table 4. The amount of fallen dust (gm) in Um Al-Rimam with other comparison stations. Sep-05

Oct-05

Nov05

Dec05

Jan06

Feb-06

RD1

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.2

RD2

0.1

0.1

0.0

0.1

0.1

0.2

RD3

--------

0.1

0.0

0.1

0.1

RD4

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.1

RD5

0.0

0.0

0.0

RD6

0.0

0.1

0.1

Site

Mar- Apr06 06

May06

Jun06

Jul06

Aug06

0.4

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.0

0.6

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.4

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.4

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.3

0.1

0.2

0.2

1.1

--------

0.2

0.5

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.5

0.6

0.3

0.5

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.3

0.3

0.5

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.2

2.2

3.1

6.1

3.3

5.3

1.7

1.5

3.1

2.2

2.9

Mean 0.1 0.1 0.2

0.0

0.2

L13

--------------2.3

--------------1.3

---------------------2.8

L18

3.7

1.1

4.2

2.7

5.5

6.3

3.6

7.0

1.8

1.8

4.6

1.6

3.7

L22

2.0

2.3

2.2

0.1

3.7

5.9

1.6

0.0

1.4

1.6

1.9

1.1

2.0

L64

3.6

1.3

3.7

1.8

2.6

4.6

4.3

6.3

2.0

2.5

6.8

2.6

3.5

L69

3.6

0.4

3.1

2.2

3.1

3.5

2.4

3.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

L73 L116

0.6 1.0

0.8 0.7

2.0 2.0

2.5 0.9

3.4 1.3

6.2 4.7

1.7 1.5

6.1 3.9

3.1 1.1

2.4 1.0

2.4 1.9

5.2 2.1

2.5 2.8

0.9

1.7

L129 L138 L144

0.7 0.6 2.2 ----------------------------------------------------------------

0.5 0.6 1.3

1.2 3.0 3.0

0.7 0.8 1.0

1.3 1.4 1.7

2.7 4.2 5.5

2.7 2.1 3.3

4.1 6.4 7.3

0.5 3.8 4.4

0.7 1.2 2.9

1.6 1.6 3.2

1.0 1.1 2.5

1.5 2.2 3.2

1.1

0.2

0.6

1.5

2.1

1.6

5.7

1.6

2.6

4.0

1.4

1.0

1.0

1.2

2.6

1.7

4.0

1.6

1.9

6.4

1.5

0.0

1.5

0.9

0.0

0.0

2.7

1.1

1.6

4.0

1.6

0.9

2.3

2.3

6.3

6.4

5.1

3.6

2.3

14.0

1.1

0.7

0.8

0.6

2.2

1.2

5.1

1.3

2.2

5.2

1.3

0.7

1.3

0.8

4.6

1.4

2.9

1.1

2.0

13.0

1.3

0.7

0.9

1.0

3.0

1.5

3.6

1.3

1.5

1.8

---------------

---------------

2.1

2.5

2.4

3.0

7.1

1.9

2.5

4.7

1.0

2.9

4.0

5.8

0.0

6.3

18.5

33.8

1.3

0.8

1.4

1.0

1.5

2.9

1.8

3.2

1.5

1.9

4.2

RD7 RD8 RD9

J63 J64 J65 J66 J67 J68 J69 J101 J102 Mean

44

2.3 2.6 1.6 3.6 1.9 1.7 2.4 2.5 9.5 1.8

0.3 0.3 0.2

2.1 2.3 1.3 4.4 2.0 2.8 1.7 3.2 9.1 2.0

Dust fallout within other comparable regional and global areas Table 5 shows the amount of dust fallout in the study area higher than the average amount of dust fallout in the world but less than that in north African regions. The higher concentration of dust in the eastern parts of Kuwait can be attributed to the large contribution of local rather than regional sources due to presence of tidal and intertidal zone area with huge amount of mud size particles, and to local geomorphology of the area where a lot of dry wadis contribute in feeding the predominant northwesterly wind with dust particles. Figure 37 illustrates the monthly average of dust fallout for the three parts of the study area in comparison to local, regional and global areas. This figure illustrates the dust fallout showing the lowest limits in comparison to local and regional rather than global dust. This was also well noted within the average annual results (Figure 38).

Figure 37. The monthly average of dust fallout for the three parts of the study area in comparison to local, regional and global areas.

45

Figure 38. The average annual dust fallout for the three parts of the study area in comparison to local, regional and global areas.

The rates of dust fallout in the Um Al-Rimam show lower concentration compared to other parts in the surrounding areas (Al-Jahra and Al-Liyah) during all months of collection. The rate in the Um Al-Rimam is nearly a quarter as compared to those in Al-Jahra area. This evidence can eliminate the theory of contribution of regional sources as a main source that mentioned by Khalaf et al., (1979). This study clarified that dust is dominantly from local sources. The overall dust fallout in some areas in Kuwait illustrates much higher values in comparison to the rest of the studied dust values in other global areas with exception to the North African countries (Table 4). On the other hand, the average dust fallout in the Um AlRimam shows lower quantities than other parts in Kuwait and most global records, which indicates the importance of preserved areas and natural vegetation in reducing the amount of fallen dust.

46

Table 5. The average amount of dust fallout in the study areas in comparison to local, regional and global site samples.

Um Al-Rimam National Park Al-Jahra Al-Liyah

Political region Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait

Bubiyan Island

Kuwait

Warba Island Sabiya Kuwait

Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait

Negev Desert

Palestine

Location

along Niger River northern Diarnena Kano Crete Arizona between Rocky Mts & Mississippi S Nevada & SE California SW California Agadir Sidi Ifni Tan Tan Smara Itguity Laayoune Boujdour Dakhla Nouadhibou

Reference

Nigeria Greece U.S.A

Present study Present study Present study Present study Al-Dousari et al., 2005 Al-Dousari et al., 2005 Al-Awadhi (2004) Safar (1980) Yaalon & Ganor (1975) Tainsh et al. (1997) Maley (1980) Tainsh et al. (1982) Pye (1992) Pewe et al. (1981)

U.S.A

Simonson (1995)

Mali Chad

U.S.A U.S.A Morocco Morocco Morocco Western Sahara Western Sahara Western Sahara Western Sahara Mauritania Mauritania

Reheis (1995) Reheis (1995) Rott (2001) Rott (2001) Rott (2001)

Tons/km2/ month 0.21 0.22 3.0 2.6 9.4 4.4

Tons/km2/ year 2.1 2.2 35.5 30.9 112.3

6.2 4.6

57.8 74.8 55.0

4.8-18.1

57-217

75-858 11.8

913-10446 142.0

11.4-15.1 0.83-8.33 4.5

137-181 10-100 54.0

0.003

0.03

0.36-1.31 0.52-2.82 9.4 11.9 14.4

4.3-15.7 6.8-33.9 114.4 144.5 175.0

Rott (2001)

9.1

110.8

Rott (2001)

3.3

40.2

Rott (2001)

4.3

51.8

Rott (2001) Rott (2001) Rott (2001)

18.0 15.7 6.5

218.8 191.4 79.5

47

Mobile sand movement Transportation and deposition of sand by winds (sand storms) is one of the active geomorphologic processes in the area .An understanding of the relationship between the rate of sand transport ,wind speed, surface roughness ,local sources of sands and other environmental conditions is essential for future planning to control mobile sands. In order to monitor sand transport in the area, a number of sand traps were erected in several parts of the study area. The suitability of sites for installing sand traps within area acts as one of the major aim during the field investigation. There are few sites where mobile sand is active represented by small wind corridors resulted from the effect of the certain natural and or artificial morphological features within the area. The artificial features are mainly represented by off-raod vehicle tracks, berms and human settlements. There are four sand traps was installed in the Um Al-Rimam (Table 6 and Figure 10). All sand traps were directed to measure sand supply from the dominant northwesterly wind. The installation of sand traps was done according the following steps: 1- Each sand trap then was leveled and directed using Brunton compass to get more accuracy to one of the main direction mentioned above. 2-Covering the traps with sand until reaching the opening of the sand trap (Figure 39). 3-The surrounding sediments then were fixed using water and stabilizer to minimize the effect of soil disturbance during installations (Figure 40). The northern depression shows the largest annual quantities of collected sand (31 kg) in comparison to other sand traps in Um Al-Rimam. This results was supported by presence of multiple erosional and depositional aeolian land features (such as nabkhas and yardangs) as presented in the geomorphological map (Figure 11).

48

Figure 39. Sediment fixation using water and stabilizer to minimize the effect of sediment disturbance during installations. Table 6. Location of sand traps. S.No.

Site

1

L1

2

L4

3

L7

4

L10

5

L26

6

L43

7

L63

8

L66

9

L69

10

L72

N E N E N E N E N E N E N E N E N E N E

Location 29º 37.987' 47º 33.817' 29º 36.346' 47º 33.525' 29º 34.726' 47º 33.230' 29º 33.106' 47º 32.943' 29º 35.203' 47º 34.585 29º 34.071' 47º 34.994' 29º 37.801' 47º 37.015' 29º 33.152' 47º 36.717' 29º 36.637' 47º 38.069' 29º 32.901' 47º 36.091'

49

S.No.

Site

11

L75

12

L93

13

L96

14

L101

15

L116

16

L140

17

L143

18

L145

19

L148

20

L153

N E N E N E N E N E N E N E N E N E N E

Location 29º 31.249' 47º 35.981' 29º 29.514' 47º 36.868' 29º 36.637 47º 38.069' 29º 33.909' 47º 37.523' 29º 34.405' 47º 38.317' 29º 31.079' 47º 38.511' 29º 29.411' 47º 38.497' 29º 37.645' 47º 39.698' 29º 35.987' 47º 36.539' 29º 32.689' 47º 39.216'

Figure 40. Annual trapped sand in Um Al-Rimam depression.

Table 7. Sand traps in Um Al-Rimam (R01, R02, R03 AND R04) in comparison to other localities within the National Park. Total

Sand trap

Long.

Lat. gm

KG

R01 R02 R03 R04 R05 R06 R07 average

38 R 0766901

UTM 3270307

57.0

0.06

38 R 0766865

UTM 3271872

239.4

0.24

38 R 0766625

UTM 3272956

30722.3

30.72

38 R 0766582

UTM 3274339

170.9

0.17

38 R 0767881

UTM 3287360

70.8

0.07

38 R 0767872

UTM 3287872

9558.0

9.56

38 R 0767330

UTM 3288137

11010.0

11.01

7452

7.45

Lab Analysis During the two months mobilization task, all related literatures were collected. A work plan was prepared to identify staff responsibilities. Manufacturing and purchasing of the needed laboratory and field equipments were managed.

50

Dust fallout samplers (2.40 m height from the surface) were placed in the selected 28 stations. Dust fallout samples were collected monthly for one year (Figure 41 and 42). The containers were carefully collected and the sides of the containers were washed (Figure 43 and 44). The samples were carefully washed into sample containers. The dust collectors were then washed and filled with distilled water for the next collection (Figure 45 and 46). The monthly amounts of dust fallout at each station were calculated in Tons/km2 by dividing the total weight of the collected sample by the area of sampler’s opening. A contour map was produced from the available data through which we can allocate the main local sources of dust blowing toward Jahra City. Initially, the characteristics of the dust have been examined and interpreted using a series of analytical tools. Useful information was drawn largely from the surface area of the grain particles. Average rates of dust deposition are also valuable indicators of potential source areas and transport distances of wind blown dust.

51

Figure 41. Collecting the dust fallout from the containers.

52

Figure 42. The containers were carefully collected.

Figure 43. The sides of the containers carefully washed by distilled water.

53

Figure 44. The sample being carefully collected.

54

Figure 45. Labeling of samples.

Figure 46. Washing the containers and filling with distilled water.

Sample Preparation The dust samples were washed in a 10-mesh sieve (0.125 mm) to remove insects and bird’s feathers, and then treated chemically by soaking in hydrogen peroxide at 70o C to remove the organic materials. The samples are dried and weighed.

Physical Properties The physical properties of the two dominant size fractions of collected dust samples were analyzed. These properties are the textural characteristics through the BET surface area.

55

The BET surface area is expressed as values of a certain weight of loose sand in terms of m2 g-1 measured by using isotherm plot diagrams of volume against pressure and using the BET equation devised by Brunauer et al., (1938).

Al-Dousari (2003) was the first to use this

technique to characterize the 3-dimensional surface texture of aeolian quartz sand grains within the Kuwaiti aeolian environment. All monthly collected sediments of dust fallout from Al-Mutla (J66) station, the Al-Dibdibba Formation sediments and two Warba and Bubiyan dust and sand (from sand traps) were analyzed and compared to identify the main sources of dust. Figure 47 shows the variation of dust fallout in the study area in comparison to other collected samples within Kuwait. Al-Dibdibba Formation sediments were picked-up from Al-Mutla area, where it represents the main geological formation exposed in the surface within Kuwait.

Also

comparison was extended to regional and global aeolian samples. The surface area values of the dust samples obtained from the study area were quite variable to the surroundings sand samples. The samples in Bubiyan and Warba islands are quite different than Sabiya and our samples, due to the sedimentological and geographical setting of the two islands. Variability in the surface area was also noticed when comparing with Sabiya samples (Figure 48). Although there are differences between our samples and of the Sabiya area, but variability with time is quite similar. The surface area of the dust samples over time shows the trend of differences between our samples and the Sabiya samples, where it shows maximum values in the periods from May to July and lower values in the period from August to October. July samples are showing the maximum values, while September and August values are the minimum. Also values of surface area samples in the study area are slightly higher than those in Warba but much lower than those in other Aeolian sediments. When comparing the dust samples with the medium sand fractions of the trapped sand collected from sand traps were found to be quite different. Furthermore, comparison of these values with regional and global aeolian sediments illustrates higher variability. The collected dust samples show much higher

56

values than the rest in the regional and global samples (Figure 49). In addition, the studied dust samples are quite different than Al-Dibdibba Formation. The previous results could lead into five main conclusions. These are: 1.

The Al-Dibdibba formation is the dominant source of aeolian sand but not silt of clay (dust size particles) within the terrestrial environment of Kuwait; the only exception is Warba and Bubiyan Island since this Formation is not exposed to the surface as in other Kuwaiti terrestrial areas.

2.

Variability of the surface area with time in the study area indicates multiple sources, at least two main sources (local and regional). The low values represent the regional, while high values represent the local sources.

3.

Warba Island dust fallout is dominantly from regional sources while in our study area and other local areas, dust fallout are dominantly from local sources. Although, the trend of decreasing and increasing in dust on the surface area are quite similar between the two locations; the values show differences.

4.

Due to the large differences in the surface area between the Al-Dibdibba Formation and our dust samples and other local areas and the Al-Dibdibba Formation, the formation is eliminated from the expected sources of dust.

5.

Bubiyan and Warba sediments are dominantly driven from the Mesopotamian Flood Plain. This conclusion might explain the quite similarity in the surface area of the dust fallout in relation to time.

57

40 Al-Mutla 35

Sabiya Warba

Surface area (m2/g)

30

Bubiyan 25 20 15 10 5 0 Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Figure 47. The variation of dust fallout in the study area in comparison to other collected samples within Kuwait. 25

Al-Mutla Sabiya

BET surface area (m2/g)

20

15

10

5

0 May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

58

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Figure 48. Variability in the surface area with time to the study area comparing with Sabiya samples

Surface area (m 2/gm )

25

20

15

10

5

0 r t t ) t o ya ip di di di ypt AE iya di st ai ion us t us t nd us c h an ert nt o ev rde c m ast mo ley ai u r h is m Lib au au au s g l m U g s a oa ea o b uw Kuw mat n d a d n s a la d Pi l v a we P a- h. S e-S ir-S -Sa -E in- Sa B , O De o S Ne i bo (20 C K t r b a e e a s d o i u A in lan iba ev ort or, ina t er xa H ne un bh ma as Al N W N E F o biy ara biy l-M as ria ta P ais S Sa R i W aw y du at d ra T e pe ah N eg A as ba Bu W Bu ui ens c b f q D K R m l W i a A ue di ei w in di o gr ib di Q Location Wa Z O D Se In C

Figure 49. The variation of dust fallout in the study area in comparison with other collected samples in the world.

Mineralogical Analysis The whole components of the dust samples from single location (Al-Mutla-J66) were subjected to mineralogical analysis to identify the mineral constituents and determine their frequency percentage in each textural class. The whole dust samples were analyzed using sedimentation method (Folk, 1974) and gently powdered for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Quartz and calcite are the major minerals in the dust fallout samples of the study area. Plagioclase and dolomite are found in appreciable amounts. Table 8 shows a semi-quantitative analysis done by XRD showing by mineral percentages of the dominant minerals found in dust fallout. This table shows no variation in mineral percentages of dust fallout with time which might indicate similar sources of dust. The average semi-quantitative percentages are well presented in figure 50.

59

Quartz percentage varies from 35% to 52% with average of 44% (Figure 50 and 51). In general, carbonates increases in percentage during the period from April to June (Figure 52 and 53). Plagioclase is represented by varieties of minerals from Albite to Anorthite representing an average of 13% (Figure 54). Other minerals are presented by heavy minerals such as Pyroxenes, Amphiboles, Garnets and clay minerals. These minerals represent small percentages (3%) at an average (Figure 55).

Table 8. A semi-quantitative analysis done by XRD represented by mineral percentages of the dominant minerals found in dust fallout. Jan- Feb- Apr- May- Jun-

Jul-

Oct- Nov- Dec-

Minerals

06

06

06

06

06

06

05

05

05

Average

Quartz

41

48

35

46

40

52

43

45

47

44

Calcite

34

34

48

38

37

30

38

27

25

35

Plagioclase

10

11

11

9

12

14

13

17

19

13

Dolomite

10

5

4

6

7

3

5

7

5

6

Others

5

3

1

2

2

1

1

5

4

3

60

Average minerals percentages of dust fallout In AlMutla area

Quartz Calcite Plagioclase Dolomite Others

Figure 50. Mineral percentages of the dominant minerals found in dust fallout. Quartz percentages variations w ithin Al-Mutla area from October 2005 until July 2006

60 50

%

40 30 20 10 0 Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul05 05 05 06 06 06 06 06 06 06

61

Figure 51. Quartz percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples.

Calcite percentages variations within Al-Mutla area from October2005 until July 2006 60 50

%

40 30 20 10 0 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Jul-06 Figure 52. Calcite percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples. Dolomite percentages variations within Al-Mutla area from October2005 until July 2006

14 12

%

10 8 6 4 2 0 Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar05 05 05 06 06 06

Apr- May- Jun- Jul-06 06 06 06

Figure 53. Dolomite percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples.

62

Plagioclase percentages variations w ithin Al-Mutla area from October2005 until July 2006

25 20

%

15 10 5 0 Oct05

Nov- Dec05 05

Jan- Feb- Mar06 06 06

Apr- May- Jun06 06 06

Jul06

Figure 54. Plagioclase percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples. Other minerals percentages variations within Al-Mutla area from October2005 until July 2006

8 7 6

%

5 4 3 2 1 0 Oct05

Nov05

Dec05

Jan06

Feb06

Mar06

Apr06

May06

Jun- Jul-06 06

Figure 55. Other minerals percentage variation with time in dust fallout samples.

63

Grain Size Analysis All samples, most of which weighed a few grams, were analyzed for grain size distribution using a Laser granulometric analyzer. The analyzer can measure the weight size percentage less than 2 mm. Grain size parameters were determined for dust fallout at a single location in Al-Liyah area (L18). Both Moment method and Folk and Ward (1957) were employed to determine the statistical parameters of the sediments. There are two main size fractions of dust, these are long distance dust deposition which produces fine deposits less than 63 micrometer in size (silt and clay particles) from regional sources, mainly from the Mesopotamian Flood Plain, and local dust deposition that produces relatively coarse dust material greater than 63 micrometer grain size fractions. The former type represents 63%, while the later is 37% (Table 9 and Figure 60). The samples of dust are negatively skewed, Bimodal with dominancy of silt size fractions. The bimodality of the distribution curves indicated bisources. Figures 61a,b, 62a,b, 63a,b, 64a,b, 65a,b and 66a,b illustrate the histograms of grain size distributions percentage in all the collected samples for the months April 2005 to March 2006.

Graphical mean size (Φ/mm) Graphical mean size of Um Al Rimam area ranges from 2.059 Φ (fine sand) to 0.682 Φ (very coarse sand) / from 0.827 mm to 0.337 mm in coarse sand and medium sand fraction with an average 1.323 Φ and 0.647 mm, respectively. These results as showed in figure 56 showing that the grain size decreases toward the mid of the depressions. The size of sediments in phi: In the Northern depression in the central west and south direction, in the Neck area in the west direction, and in the Southern depression in the central of 64

northern east and southern west direction. The direction of grain size decreases in millimeters is the opposite of grain size in phi direction.

Northing(m)

3269500

3270500

3271500

3272500

3273500

Mean (phi)

Sampling site 0 765000

766000

767000

250

500

m 768000

Easting(m)

Figure 56: Mean size (Φ) Sorting (δ) Sediment of Um Al Rimam was poorly sorted ranged from 1.766 Φ to 1.01 Φ (poorly sorted) with an average 1.561 Φ. Figure 57 showing that highly poorly sorted in the direction of:

65

In the Northern depression the central of northern east and central of southern west directions, in the Neck area toward northern east and in the Southern depression the central of northern east

Sorting

3272000 3270000

3271000

Northing (m)

3273000

3274000

and the southern west directions.

0 765000

766000

767000

250 500 m 768000

Easting (m)

Figure 57: Sorting Kurtosis (KG) The range of Kurtosis in Um Al Rimam area sediments was from (Leptokurtic) 1.382 to (very Platykurtic) 0.467 with an average 0.629. Kurtosis in this area described is a very

66

Platykurtic as shown in figure 58 the sediments tend to be very Platykurtic in the direction of

Kurtosis

3272000 3270000

3271000

Northing(m)

3273000

3274000

north in the Northern depression.

0

765000

766000

767000

250 500

768000

Easting(m) Figure 58: Kurtosis (KG). Skewness (SK) The skewness in Um Al Rimam area ranged between (strongly coarse-skewed) -0.309 to (strongly fine-skewed) 0.841 with an average 0.121. It can be seen from figure 59 the sediments 67

in the north depression had the tendency to increasing the fine-skewed in the direction of east and southeast, in the Neck area increases toward east direction and in the Southern depression

Skewness

3272000 3271000 3270000

Northing (m)

3273000

3274000

increases toward southern west directions.

0

765000

766000

767000

Easting(m)

Figure 59: Skewness (SK)

68

250 500

768000

Table 9. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in the study area for one year monitoring period. Month

Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

Apr-05

0.21

4.49

5.34

5.36

11.04

15.4

20.25

16.25

12.43

6.48

2.73

May-05

0

3.68

5.35

4.75

10.17

15.42

20.99

17.17

13.44

6.81

2.22

Jun-05

0

0.57

2.2

3.24

7.88

14.51

25.6

21.44

15.08

6.9

2.58

Jul-05

0

0.32

1.35

1.53

6.96

14.29

24.06

22.28

17.93

8.41

2.87

Aug-05

0.68

3.04

3.34

5.35

15.39

18.53

19.4

14.96

11.38

5.82

2.11

Sep-05

0.58

7.2

5.7

7.17

14.26

16.57

18.76

13.39

9.77

4.94

1.66

Oct-05

0

2.02

5.03

3.17

6.8

11.1

22

22.11

17.52

7.79

2.46

Nov-05

0

2.3

9.26

9.75

10.77

14.97

18.89

14.28

11.81

6.35

1.62

Dec-05

0

1.63

4.94

7.12

12.99

20.39

23.21

14.28

9.45

4.58

1.4

Jan-06

0

0.86

3.48

5.88

7.34

10.86

23.67

21.97

16.44

7.52

1.98

Feb-06

0

0.64

2.97

2.91

4.79

13.14

26.6

21.89

16.31

8.33

2.42

Mar-06

0

1.63

4.42

5.37

8.08

13.12

22.71

19.93

15.34

7.17

2.23

0.1

2.4

4.4

5.1

9.7

14.9

22.2

18.3

13.9

6.8

2.2

Mean

69

L18 Average 25

20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

Figure 60. Average grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18).

70

Figure 61. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in April (a) and May (b).

71

c-L18 June 05

30

25

%

20

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

d-L18 July 05 30

25

%

20

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

Figure 62. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in June (a) and July (b).

72

e-L18 August 05 25

20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

f-L18 Sebtem ber 05 20

18

16

14

%

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

Figure 63. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in August (a) and September (b).

73

g-L18-October 05 25

20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

h-L18-Novem ber 05 20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

Figure 64. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in October (a) and November (b).

74

i-L18 Decem ber 05 25

20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

j-L18 January 06 25

20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

F.Silt

Clay

Figure 65. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in December (a) and January (b). 75

k-L18-February 06 30

25

%

20

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

V.C.Silt

C.Silt

M.Silt

F.Silt

Clay

l-L18-March 06 25

20

%

15

10

5

0 Granule

V.C.S

C.S

M.S

F.S

V.F.S

Figure 66. Grain size percentages of dust fallout in Al-Liyah area (L18) in February (a) and March (b). 76

Mineralogical constituents (X.R.D) XRD analyzed 35 samples from Um Al Rimam area (table 2) and found three main minerals existed in this area: Quartz, Calcite and Feldspars. In addition to that few percentages of different minerals were found in this area (minor mineral): Dolomite, Pyroxene, Serpentine, Polymorphic and Barite). Also a neglected percentage of Clays existed in these samples. Quartz dominated in the area 

Quartz existed more percentage as showed in Figure 67:

In the Northern depression of the area toward east, south and northern west directions, in the Neck area toward northern east and southern west and in the Southern depression toward west and the central of southern east. 

Calcite existed more percentage as showed in Figure 68:

In the Northern depression of the area toward north and southwest directions, in the Neck area toward south direction and in the Southern depression toward center of north east and center of north west. 

Feldspars existed more percentage as showed in Figure 69:

In the Northern depression of the area toward north and northwest directions, in the Neck area toward center of northern east and in the Southern depression toward northern east and south directions. 

Minor existed more percentage as showed in Figure 70:

In the Northern depression of the area toward northern east direction, in the Neck area toward northern east direction and in the Southern depression toward northern east and southern west directions.

77

3274000

Quartz %

3273500

3273000

3272500

3272000

3271500

3271000

3270500

3270000

3269500 0

500

1000

3269000 765000 765500 766000 766500 767000 767500 768000

Figure 67. Quartz percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam.

78

Feldspars% 3274000

3273500

3273000

3272500

3272000

3271500

3271000

3270500

3270000

3269500

3269000 765000 765500 766000 766500 767000 767500 768000

Figure 68. Feldspars percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam.

79

Calcite%

3274000

3273500

3273000

3272500

3272000

3271500

3271000

3270500

3270000

3269500

765500

766000

766500

767000

767500

Figure 69. Calcite percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam.

80

Other%

3274000

3273500

3273000

3272500

3272000

3271500

3271000

3270500

3270000

3269500

3269000 765000 765500 766000 766500 767000 767500 768000

Figure 70. Other minerals percentages in surface sediments of Um Al-Rimam.

81

CONCLUSION

The results of amount of dust and sand are poorly related which indicate that dust behave differently than sand. During October there was a huge amount of dust which might indicate a huge disturbance within the surrounding areas. All collected sand is from local sources, this is evidently by abundance of larger grain size fractions, negative skewed and poorly sorted sand. The remarkable decrease in mobile sand as well as dust in the study area indicates the valuable importance for density of vegetation cover. The sediment distributed along the Um Al Rimam area display generally a negative skewness. It was observed that the concentration of Quartz mineral increases in the same direction of decreasing of grain size of the sediment and it’s an opposite of Calcite mineral direction. Poor sorting over this area may be due to different agents of transportation, such as alluvial current, water flow influxes and aeolian transport.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is highly recommended to initiate control measures for limitation of land degradation in this pilot study. More control should be considered on surrounding watering points in future planning for limitation of breaking the fence. The management concept of rangelands that takes in consideration livestock and rangelands as elements complementing each other should be used. The key of any successful rangelands management program is laws, enforcement and regulations. A good example in Kuwait is law number 41 (1988), decisions number 242, 243 and 244 (1989), and 110 (1999) for range management control. In addition, United Nation Agreement law number 134 (1997) concerning the UN Agreement on Convention of Combating

82

Desertification and land degradation (UNCCD). Also Long term environmental monitoring of natural vegetation, soil and wildlife should be conducted. Considerable efforts should be made to ensure realistic and sustainable use of the resources through establishing scientific research activities to quantify and qualify livestock (birds and desert animals) and rangelands in the study area in order to build up a reference database. Also research is needed to evaluate the required food supply and water quality for grazing animals for present and future. Off-road vehicles need to be restricted within few tracks. Shallow ploughing for the highly compacted soils caused by off-road vehicles may be suggested before the rainy season (October-April). Moreover, the gravel quarries needs long term rehabilitation plan beginning from leveling during winter time of pits and sandy piles resulted from exploitation stage. As result of berms effect on the hydrological cycle of the area, outlets on the berms should be considered to lead the natural flow of hydrological basins. The mobile sand movement should be stabilized through applying sufficient control measures. The present study has shown that soil compaction (by off-road vehicles tracks) and surface crusting and sealing (by raindrop splash on bare soils), sandy berms, and gravel quarries are the major indicators of soil degradation and disturbance. It is recommended that measures be initiated to control soil degradation. Shallow ploughing for the highly compacted soils is suggested before the rainy season (October – April) to improve soil recharge. Development of the vegetation cover through soil conservation and control of overgrazing and off-road vehicle use is recommended. Moreover, long term environmental monitoring of the soil, natural vegetation and wildlife should be conducted. It is also recommended to take in to consideration that the wadis and the delta of the wadis designated as protected areas. Any successful range management program needs laws, regulations and enforcement; however, considerations must be given to the preservation of cultural heritage. The rate of recovery is shown by satellite images and aerial photography taken 83

in 1990 and 2002. Virtually the whole of the Um Al-Rimam preserved area had recovered by 2002, the only exception being the old main off-road vehicles tracks, which need shallow ploughing of the highly compacted soils before the rainy season. Specific actions to ensure the realistic and sustainable use of the resources should be considered within the following interrelated framework: 

Considerable efforts should be made to establish and develop scientific research activities to quantify and qualify both livestock and rangelands in the surrounding areas of Sabah AlAhmed National Park in order to build up a database. Also, research is needed to evaluate the required food supply for the grazing animals at present and in future. Research also needs to consider the water quality that is used for grazing animals.



There is a need to develop legislation to establish protected areas, especially in the northern and northwestern areas of Kuwait due to the continuous disruption and damage of the rangelands and wild life. The application of the above mentioned recommendations will develop a socially

acceptable system of grazing. Although the development of rangelands is expensive, the preservation and control of the rangelands for the long term is more valuable. For instance the preservation of the north and northwestern areas could reduce the intensity of the sand encroachment problems in Kuwait. The regenerated vegetation zone will then act as sand traps for mobile sand over the whole 35 to 50 km. Sand management is a critical research need and vegetation is the real key to minimizing the sand movement problem rather than fallen dust. It is highly recommended to use the Um Al-Rimam depressions as a water collector to form a nice viewing artificial lake in the area, such methodology is also used in many other countries either with humid climate such as U.S.A. and UK or with arid or semiarid climate such as Sudan and Egypt. This recommendation was taken in consideration by the authors of this

84

project after a complete search to the depression in comparison to the surroundings aeolian, sedimentological and geomorphological characteristic of the study area. As a result, it is recommended to develop such lake in the area for the following reasons: 

The depression represents one of the largest depressions in the county.



There is a structural quietness on the area, that is, no faulting system was observed in the area in the previous letrature or via the field measurements.



The sedimentalogical characteristics of the depression where the ground is sandy with high porosity and permeability.



The presence of the lake is expected to enhance the wildlife and vegetation cover in the area rather than decrease the surrounding temperature.



It is strongly recommended to do environmental impact assessment in order to avoid environmental problems.



More studies should be done in relation to the evaporation rates, temperature and wildlife.



The expected enhancement with cover the soil since the area surrounding the depression and the mid of the depression is highly compacted soil with absence of vegetation.

On the other hand, hydrological and environmental impact assessment studies should be conducted before, during and after construction of the lake. Also water and wind erosion needs to be monitored.

85

REFERENCES

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Al-Bakri, D., F. Khalaf, and A. Al-Ghadban. 1984. Mineralogy, genesis and sources of surficial sediments in the Kuwait marine environment, northern Arabian Gulf. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 55(4): 12-28. Al-Basri, A. 1993. Dust phenomena and their environmental impacts in Kuwait. Arabian Gulf University, Desert and Arid Zones Science Program.M.Sc. Al-Dousari, A. M.; R. Misak and S. Shahid. 2000. Soil compaction and sealing in Al-Salmi area western part of Kuwait. Land Degradation and Development, 11: 401-418.

Al-Rashed, M. 1988. Hydrological study of Umm Ar-Rimmam Depression. M.Sc. thesis, University College London.

Al-Sarawi, A. M. 1982. Origin of the Jal Az-Zor Escarpment. Journal of the University of Kuwait (Science) 9, 151-162

Al-Sulaimi, J. and S.M. El-Rabaa. 1994. Morphological and morphostructural features of Kuwait. Geomorphology, 11: 151-167. Al-Sulaimi and Mukhopadhyay, 2000 J. Al-Sulaimi and A. Mukhopadhyay, An overview of the surface and near-surface geology, geomorphology, and natural resources of Kuwait, Earth-Science Reviews, 50: 227–267.

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Avila, A. and J. Penuelas. 1999. Increasing frequency of Saharan rains over northeastern Spain and its ecological consequences. The Science of the Total Environment, 228:153-156.

Chapman, R.W. 1974. Calcareous duricrust in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Bulletin Geological Society of America. 85: 119-130.

El-Sayed, M.I. 1994. Evolution of landforms in the southern part of Kuwait. Journal of Arid Environments 26: 113-128.

Foda, M.A.; F. Khalaf and A.S. Al-Kadi. 1985. Estimation of dust fallout rates in the northern Arabian Gulf. Sedimentology, 32: 595-603.

Folk, R.L., Ward, W.T., 1957. Brazos River bar: A study in the significance of grain-size parameters. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 27, 3-26.

Gharib, I., M. Al-Hashash, and M. Anwar. 1987. Dust fallout in northern part of the ROPME sea area. Kuwait Institute for Scientific research, Report No. KISR2266. Kuwait.

Goudie, A.S. 1978. Dust storms and their geomorphological implications. Journal of Arid Environments, 1:291-311.

Idso, S.B. 1978. Climatological effects of atmospheric particulate pollution. Nature, 274:781782.

Junge, C.E. 1958. Atmospheric chemistry. Advance in Geophsics, 4:1-108. Kellio, A.A. 1990. Geomorphological study of the Um Al-Rimam depressions in Kuwait. Kuwait Geographical Society, Geography Department, Kuwait University, 138 pp.

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Khalaf, F.I., Al-Saleh, S., Al-Houty, F., Ansari, L. and Shublaq, W., 1979. Mineralogy and grain size distribution of dust fallout in Kuwait. Atmospheric Environment 13: 1719–1723.

Khalaf, F. I.; L. Kadib; I. Gharib; M.Z. Al-Hashash; S Al-Saleh and A. Al-Kadi. 1980. Dust fallout in Kuwait. Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research, Report no. KISR/PPI 108/EES-RF-8016. Kuwait. Khalaf, F.I., Gharib, I.M. and Al-Kadi, A.S., 1982. Sources and genesis of the Pleistocene gravelly deposits in northern Kuwait. Sedimentary Geology, 31: 101–117. Khalaf, F. I.; I. Gharib and M.Z. Al-Hashash 1984 .Types and characteristics of recent surface deposits of Kuwait. Journal of Arid Environments, 7: 9-33. Khalaf, F. I. 1989 .Textural characteristics and genesis of the aeolian sediments in Kuwait desert . Sedimentology, 36: 253 - 271. Kwarteng, A. and D. Al-Ajmi. 1997. Satellite remote sensing applications in the state of Kuwait. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. Kuwait. Milton, D.I. 1965. Geology of Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait. U.S. Geological Survey. Professional Paper, 560-F.7: Pp:1-8. Misak, R. 2000. Aeolian landforms in Kuwait. In: Atlas of Kuwait. Edited by Al-Sarawi, M. and F. El-Baz, Pp21-22. Misak, R., J.M. Al-Awadhi, S.A. Omar and S.A. Shahid. 2002. Soil degradation in Kabd area, southwestern Kuwait City. Land Degradation and Development, 13:403-415. Pease, P., V. Tchakerian, and N. Tindale. 1998. Aerosols over the Arabian sea: geochemistry and source areas for aeolian desert dust. Journal of Arid Environments, 39:477-496.

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Redha, A. H. 1996. Environmental impacts of gravel quarries in the State of Kuwait. M.Sc. thesis, Desert and arid zones program, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain (in Arabic). Tindale, N and P. Pease. 1999. Aerosols over Arabian Sea: Atmospheric transport pathwaysand concentrations of dust and sea salt. Deep Sea Research, 46:1577-1596.

Tureah, A. 1980. Climate of Kuwait. University Cultural Association (Arabic Paper). Walton, W. H. 1991. Airborne dusts. In: Mineral fibers and health. Ed. Linddell, D and K. Miller. Pp: 55-77.CRC Press. London. Walker, P. H. and A.B. Costing. 1971. Atmospheric dust accession in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 9:1-5. Warsi, W. 1990. Gravity-field of Kuwait and its relevance to major geological structures. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 74: 1610-1622. law number 41 (1988), decisions number 242, 243 and 244 (1989), and 110 (1999) United Nation Agreement law number 134 (1997) concerning the UN Agreement on Convention of Combating Desertification and land degradation (UNCCD)

89

APPENDIX-I Statistical Size Parameters

90

Sample No Mean (Φ) L01 0.682 L02 2.059 L03 1.328 L04 1.321 L05 1.502 L06 1.151 L1-1 1.275 L1-2 1.327 L1-3 1.175 L1-4 1.555 L1-5 1.044 L1-6 1.7 L1-7 1.475 L1-8 0.951 L1-9 1.695 L2-1 1.101 L2-2 1.426 L2-3 1.335 L2-4 1.427 L2-5 1.406 L2-6 0.72

Mean (mm) 0.709 0.337 0.644 0.616 0.463 0.804 0.694 0.774 0.75 0.64 0.608 0.461 0.599 0.806 0.468 0.576 0.775 0.8 0.611 0.7 0.757

Sorting Skewness Kurtosis Granule V.C.S. 1.01 1.434 1.583 1.501 1.239 1.661 1.583 1.696 1.766 1.657 1.623 1.49 1.643 1.542 1.481 1.379 1.74 1.729 1.609 1.683 1.395

0.211 -0.207 0.085 -0.035 0.1 0.142 -0.052 -0.024 0.327 -0.197 0.73 -0.081 0.027 0.398 -0.096 0.134 -0.145 -0.053 0.043 -0.067 0.841

1.382 0.881 0.711 0.649 0.791 0.5 0.543 0.523 0.556 0.567 0.54 0.719 0.61 0.639 0.807 0.485 0.553 0.526 0.613 0.48 0.558

2.2 3.7 9.9 6 0.7 17.3 19.8 14.3 19.6 9.9 36.7 2.3 6.8 9.2 10.2 28.7 16.4 16.2 7.8 19 30.3

17.9 6 12.7 18.6 9 16.6 10.2 16 12.4 16.8 11.5 13.1 19.4 27.8 5.7 5.9 8.7 11.1 18.9 11.6 21.2

C.S.

M.S.

F.S.

V.F.S.

Mud

48.7 14.6 19.3 18.9 28.7 13.5 11.1 11.9 18.9 11 7.5 19.8 18.6 19.9 13.7 12.1 12.9 14.4 17 12 12.1

19.3 21.7 20.9 14.8 25.8 13.9 19.9 14.1 10.8 13.2 9.9 18.4 10.3 13.5 24 23.6 14 12.7 14.4 10.8 11.9

6.6 22.5 18.4 25.9 22.4 17.7 21.2 19.2 13.4 22 12.9 22.3 18.2 14.3 23.5 18 18.9 17.9 18.3 19.2 11.4

3.8 27.9 14.7 15.7 12.7 18 15.5 21.7 19.2 24.1 16 22.2 23.7 13.6 19.9 10 25 24.2 20.8 24.8 11.8

1.4 3.6 4.2 0.2 0.7 3 2.3 2.8 5.6 2.9 5.6 1.9 3 1.6 2.8 1 4.1 3.4 2.8 2.7 1.3

Sample no. Mean-phi Mean-mm Sorting Skewness Kurtosis Granule V.C.S. C.S. M.S. F.S. V.F.S. Mud L2-7

1.353

0.58

1.505

0.226

0.721

7.9

11.3 29.1 16.3 16.2 16.7

2.4

L3-1

1.065

0.827

1.649

0.344

0.532

12

21.3 20.2 9.1 14.8 21.2

1.4

L3-2

1.684

0.432

1.445

0.062

0.805

5.8

3.4

29.2 19.2 18.8 23.1

0.5

L4-1

1.409

0.616

1.602

0.073

0.631

8.2

15.9 20.1 14.9 17.4 21.3

2.1

L4-2

1.6

0.642

1.731

-0.19

0.467

20

8.6

10.8 10.1 17

28.6

4.9

L4-3

1.425

0.534

1.49

0.37

0.729

8.6

6.3

36.6 14.8 11.7 18.8

3.2

L4-4

1.316

0.683

1.602

-0.026

0.606

7.3

22

13.5 17.3 20.4 19.2

0.2

L4-5

1.012

0.68

1.495

0.414

0.474

25

11.5 19.8 14.9 12.7 14.8

1.2

L5-1

0.898

0.709

1.538

0.768

0.501

30

18.7 11.3 9.3 12.3

4.3

L5-2

1.123

0.756

1.639

0.293

0.474

19.7

17.2 14.2 9.4 16.2 20.8

2.5

L5-3

1.621

0.684

1.705

-0.309

0.539

13.1

12.9 10.8 10.3 21

28.5

3.4

L5-5

1.4

0.712

1.658

-0.056

0.593

14.3

10.4 13.9 17.6 20

20.6

3.1

L6-1

1.4

0.612

1.552

0.094

0.662

12.6

7.4

21.5 19.1 17.4 19.5

2.5

L6-2

1.37

0.604

1.58

0.114

0.68

6

17.2

23 14.5 17.8 19.9

1.5

90

14

APPENDICES-II Field photos, locations and dates