Sedimentological and morphological characteristics of some nabkha deposits in the northern coastal plain of Kuwait, Arabia

Nabkhas in the sabkha flat of the northern coastal plain of Kuwait are generallylocated in areas slightly higher than the evaporitic sabkha pans, and facing the alluvium fans descending from the bordering cliffs and slopes. They are developed by the deposition of wind-driven sediments around Nitraria retusa shrubs. The nabkhas vary in shape and size. However, they mostly have an elongated domal shape with an average height of 102 cm and an average length of 18 m. Three textural groups were recognized, namely, sandy nabkhas, silty sand nabkhas and sandy silt nabkhas. Detailed textural and mineralogical investigations of the nabkha deposits revealed that they are mainly derived from the sabkha flat sediments. Beach sands, desert aeolian deposits and dust fallout are considered as secondary sources. Morphometric parameters, mineralogic composition and textural characteristics of the studied sabkha are presented and are thoroughly discussed. It was concluded that Nitraria retusa shrubs are efficient horizontal sand traps for wind-driven sediments and, therefore, a thorough understanding of the development and aerodynamic behaviour of nabkha can provide useful information for the design of sustainable biological sand control measures in desert areas.