DOI article:
Hume, William F.: The nitrate shales of Egypt
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11321#0178
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Qena and the Red Sea coast from Safaga to Qosseir. They are of great thick-
ness at the base of Gebels Abu Had (at least 1 o5 mètres) and Serrai, outlying
hills easily visible from Qena. They also reappear in the faulted régions near
Qosseir and Safaga (Gebel Duwi, Wadi Barud, Mohammed Rabah, etc.). Thèse
strata have not been systematically examined for nitrates, but from expérience
in the valley must be regarded as worthy of closer study for thèse salts.
Dr. Bail also informs me that he has notecl the same strata with similar
characters in Western Sinai, an interesting point being the existence of
nitrates in them. No nitrates have hitherto been proved to my knowledge in
the Eastern Désert of Egypt east of the Red Sea watershed; a sample of shale
brought by Mr. Murray from Gebel Beida, near Qosseir, and analysed in the
Survey Department Laboratory yielded 3.28 ojo of Sodium Sulphate and
0.91 0/0 of Sodium Ghloride, but no nitrate.
SUMMARY REGARDING NITRATES IN EGYPT.
The following facts must be borne in mind in framing any theory as to the
origin of Nitrates in Egypt :
1. The Nitrate Shales of Egypt occupy a very definite geological position,
being at the summit of the Gretaceous beds, and immcdiately below strata of
definite Lovver Eocene âge.
2. They are wcll developed between lat. 24° and 270 N. from Farafra
Oasis on the west, to the Phosphate mining régions on the borders of the
Red Sea near Qosseir and Safaga.
3. The évidence avàilabie points to thèse strata having been formed under
deep-water conditions. Thus they are spread over wide areas without material
change in character, are connected with white limestone containing fossil sea-
urchins and sponges, the nearest relations of which at the présent tinte live in
deep seas. The fauna found in them also consists of small corals, uni valves
and bivalves quite différent from those of shallow-water strata, and there is
in gênerai an absence of coarser sandy material.
h. The wide distribution of the Nitrates in the shales suggest that they are
of original formation in them, rather than brought in at a later date.
Qena and the Red Sea coast from Safaga to Qosseir. They are of great thick-
ness at the base of Gebels Abu Had (at least 1 o5 mètres) and Serrai, outlying
hills easily visible from Qena. They also reappear in the faulted régions near
Qosseir and Safaga (Gebel Duwi, Wadi Barud, Mohammed Rabah, etc.). Thèse
strata have not been systematically examined for nitrates, but from expérience
in the valley must be regarded as worthy of closer study for thèse salts.
Dr. Bail also informs me that he has notecl the same strata with similar
characters in Western Sinai, an interesting point being the existence of
nitrates in them. No nitrates have hitherto been proved to my knowledge in
the Eastern Désert of Egypt east of the Red Sea watershed; a sample of shale
brought by Mr. Murray from Gebel Beida, near Qosseir, and analysed in the
Survey Department Laboratory yielded 3.28 ojo of Sodium Sulphate and
0.91 0/0 of Sodium Ghloride, but no nitrate.
SUMMARY REGARDING NITRATES IN EGYPT.
The following facts must be borne in mind in framing any theory as to the
origin of Nitrates in Egypt :
1. The Nitrate Shales of Egypt occupy a very definite geological position,
being at the summit of the Gretaceous beds, and immcdiately below strata of
definite Lovver Eocene âge.
2. They are wcll developed between lat. 24° and 270 N. from Farafra
Oasis on the west, to the Phosphate mining régions on the borders of the
Red Sea near Qosseir and Safaga.
3. The évidence avàilabie points to thèse strata having been formed under
deep-water conditions. Thus they are spread over wide areas without material
change in character, are connected with white limestone containing fossil sea-
urchins and sponges, the nearest relations of which at the présent tinte live in
deep seas. The fauna found in them also consists of small corals, uni valves
and bivalves quite différent from those of shallow-water strata, and there is
in gênerai an absence of coarser sandy material.
h. The wide distribution of the Nitrates in the shales suggest that they are
of original formation in them, rather than brought in at a later date.