Investigating the sedimentology and analyzing the sands of Souiria Laqdima Beach in the Moroccan Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The sedimentological analyses conducted in this study are the outcome of a comprehensive technical investigation that incorporates the following techniques: granulometry, morphoscopy, and exoscopy. The analysis is derived on the examination of 12 sand samples collected from the Souiria Laqdima beach, which is located on Morocco's Atlantic coastline, as well as the mouth of Oued Tensift. The samples are categorized into four profiles, with each profile consisting of three samples. In order to accomplish this goal, we conducted granulometric analysis, which involved calculating granulometric parameters, examining sand transport modes, and studying sediment deposition environments. Additionally, we performed morphoscopic and exoscopic research. The hydrodynamic dynamics of this shoreline sustain the movement of sediments generated by erosion. Various transport and erosion agents either store or transport sediments to different coastal zones as a consequence of their operations. Understanding the transport mechanism of these sediments in marine environments is crucial for formulating hypotheses about the direction of their movement, based on the various interpretations resulting from the use of these three methodologies. The objective of this work is to elucidate the mechanisms that influence sediment transport and to ascertain the characteristics of various evolutionary settings. This will enable us to concentrate on two primary categories of characteristics that can be utilized to distinguish quartz grains: indications of mechanical force and indications of chemical force. By employing exoscopy with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), we can analyze the crystal's morphology and discern the alterations it has undergone through the examination of its combinations, forms, and connections. This enables us to observe multiple successive evolutionary stages on a single grain in a sequential manner.