Caractérisation granulométrique et minéralogique des sédiments de surface de la frange littorale Sidi Bou Said - La Goulette

Abstract

The results of the grain-size and mineralogical analysis of the superficial sediments of the coastal zone situated between Sidi Bou Saïd and “la Goulette” show that the small funds (-2 to -10 m) are decorated by fine sands (the median Q50 is between 116,6µm and 213,5µm). Nevertheless, the beach top situated between Sidi Bou Saïd and the North pass of the Punic harbours of Salammbô is covered essentially by average sands (the median Q50 is between 170,6 µm and 408,9µm). Between the Punic ports and the fishing port of “la Goulette” , the beach top is formed by fine sands. The spatial distribution of the sands shows the existence of a fading classification of the sediments from the coast towards the wide one. This classification is carried out by the transverse currents. The sediment - study shows also a sort of the grains from the North towards the South, from Sidi Bou Saïd towards “la Goulette”. This sort is carried out by the drift coastal currents. Mineralogical analyse of the total sediment shows the predominance of the quartz in comparison with the calcite and the dolomite. The Clay is formed by the Kaolinite, the Smectite and the Illite.