Geochemistry of Silt Size Fraction of the Beach Sands Along the Coast Between Al Kuwifia and Tolmeita, Northeast Libya

The present work aims to characterize the geochemistry of the beach sands along the Mediterranean Coast from Al Kuwifia to Tolmeita, Northeast Libya. The study is based on 36 samples collected from the studied beach sands from 12 stations. Three samples of each station. The samples were taken from a depth of 30 cm. The statistical treatment of the obtained data involves descriptive statistics and correlation matrix. The data include 12 major oxides and 27 trace elements, as quoted in Tables. The major elements are generally considered somewhat mobile during weathering, transportation, and post-depositional processes. The major oxides CaO and MgO are the main constituents of the carbonate minerals; calcite and aragonite. SiO₂ is mainly in the form of quartz. Sometimes a high quotient of SiO₂ together with the oxides; Al₂O₃, K₂O and partly of Na₂O, TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ are essentially allocated within the structure of the feldspars. Part of Na₂O and the content of Cl belong mainly to halite. Part of Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ may be accommodated as iron oxyhydroxides. Part of CaO and the content of SO₃ are allotted within the gypsum structure. Ba, Sr, Th, U and Rare Earth Elements (REE) are basically controlled by the carbonate fraction, while Cu, Zn, V and Cr are strongly correlated with Al₂O₃.