Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A contribution to the geochemistry of “Egyptian Alabaster”

Beitrag zur geochemie des „Ägyptischen Alabasters”

  • Published:
Tschermaks mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

“Egyptian Alabaster” (marble) exhibits a variety of structures the most common of which are: botryoidal structure, banding, cockade structure, vugs and cavities. Banding which is a characteristic feature consists of alternating translucent and white bands of different sizes. The mineralogical composition of the translucent bands has been determined as magnesian calcite and that of the milky-white bands as normal calcite. Differences in the Ca/Mg and Sr/Ca ratios between both types of bands have been noticed and are attributed to differences in the solubilities of Ca−, Mg−, and Sr-carbonates. The origin of the marble is discussed and is considered to be the product of recrystallization of limestone.

Zusammenfassung

„Agyptischer Alabaster” (Marmor) zeigt eine Reihe von Strukturen, von denen am häufigsten sind: traubige Struktur, Bänderung, Kokarden-Struktur, drusige und löchrige Struktur. Die charakteristische Bänderung besteht aus abwechselnd durchscheinenden und weißen Bändern wechselnder Stärke. Die mineralogische Zusammensetzung der durchscheinenden Bänder wurde als Mg-haltiger Calcit und die der milchig-weißen Bänder als gewöhnlicher Calcit bestimmt. Unterschiede im Ca/Mg- und Sr/Ca-Verhältnis zwischen den beiden Typen der Bänder wurden beobachtet; sie werden Löslichkeitsunterschieden der Ca−, Mg− und Sr-Karbonate zugeordnet. Die Genese des Marmors wird diskutiert; er wird als Rekristallisationsprodukt von Kalkstein angesehen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akaad, M. K., andM. H. Naggar, 1963: Geology of the Wadi Sannur alabaster. Bull. Inst. Desert. Cairo13, 35–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, 1964 a: Petrography of the Egyptian alabaster of Wadi El-Assiuty. Bull. Fac. Sci. Alexandria Univ.6, 157–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, 1964 b: The deposit of Egyptian alabaster at Wadi El-Assiuty. Bull. Soc. Geogr. Egypt.36, 29–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, 1965: Petrography of Wadi Sannur alabaster and its bearing on the mode of formation of Egyptian alabaster. Bull. Soc. Geogr. Egypt.37, 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bissell, H. J., andG. V. Chilingar, 1967: Classification of sedimentary carbonate rocks. In: G. V. Chilingar, et al., Carbonate rocks, 9 A, Amsterdam: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Couyat, M. J., 1908: Sur quelques minéraux d'Egypte. Bull. Soc. Min. France31, 341–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Hinnawi, E. E., andS. M. Loukina, 1971: Petrography and chemistry of some Egyptian carbonate rocks. N. Jb. Geol. Paläont., Abh.138, 284–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frolova, E. K., 1959: On classification of carbonate rocks of limestone-dolomite-magnesite series. Novosti. Neft. Tekhn. Geol.3, 34–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hintze, C., (1930): Handbuch der Mineralogie.1. Bd., 3. Abt., 1. Hälfte, Berlin: Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, G., 1964: Methoden der Sediment-Untersuchung. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pytkowicz, R. M., 1965: Rates of inorganic calcium carbonate nucleation. J. Geol.73, 196–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strunz, H., 1966: Mineralogische Tabellen. 4. Aufl. Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. E. E. El-Hinnawi

    Present address: Institut für Petrologie, Geochemie und Lagerstättenkunde, Senckenberg-Anlage 28, Frankfurt/Main, BRD

  2. Svetlana M. Loukina M.Sc.

    Present address: Earth-Sciences Lab., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Petrologie, Geochemie und Lagerstättenkunde, Senckenberg-Anlage 28, Frankfurt/Main, BRD

    Svetlana M. Loukina M.Sc.

  2. Earth-Sciences Lab., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    E. E. El-Hinnawi

Authors
  1. E. E. El-Hinnawi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Svetlana M. Loukina M.Sc.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

El-Hinnawi, E.E., Loukina, S.M. A contribution to the geochemistry of “Egyptian Alabaster”. TMPM Tschermaks Petr. Mitt. 17, 215–221 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01085995

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01085995

Keywords

Search

Navigation