Petrographical and mineralogical Study Of Quaternary Calcarenites along the Northeastern Algerian Coast: The Annaba Region

Abstract

The calcarenite formations of the Edough Massif (east of Annaba, northeastern Algeria) were investigated using an integrated sedimentological, mineralogical, petrographic, morphoscopic, heavy mineral, and micropaleontological approach to reconstruct their depositional environments and sediment sources. The results reveal a progressive transition from quartz-rich continental and coastal deposits to carbonate-rich shallow marine sediments. Heavy mineral assemblages, dominated by tourmaline, zircon, garnet, staurolite, rutile, epidote, and kyanite, indicate significant contributions from the metamorphic rocks of the Edough Massif. Petrographic observations show abundant marine bioclasts and diagenetic features characteristic of shallow marine carbonate environments. Benthic foraminifera and ostracods confirm deposition under calm, well-oxygenated marine conditions. Comparative analysis of the Seraïdi Road, Aïn Bent Soltane, and Cap de Garde sections highlights the influence of both marine and continental processes on sedimentation. The study demonstrates that the Edoughcalcarenites record a paleoenvironmental evolution from high-energy beach settings to shallow marine platform and lagoonal environments during the Quaternary.