Mineral Composition of Fine Sand Sediments in Euphrates River Deposits in Some Iraqi Soils North and South of Hindiya Dam

Abstract

       The study was conducted to determine the nature of the mineral composition of the fine sand fraction in the Euphrates River sediments in some Iraqi soils north and south of Al-Hindiyah Dam. Mineral examinations of the fine sand fraction using a polarized light microscope in the study soils showed the dominance of light minerals (quartz in its two types, monocrystalline and polycrystalline, feldspars in its types, orthoclase, plagioclase and microcline, evaporite salts), while heavy minerals were represented by minerals (mica in its two types, muscovite and biotite, chlorite, pyroxene minerals, amphiboles, and tourmaline). The results of the study showed the effect of Al-Hindiyah Dam and the regulators built on it on the mineral distribution of the Euphrates River sediments in the soils of the study area.