Results of mineralogical and geochemical investigation of evaporates from the Taoudenni-Agorgott deposit (Mali, Western Sahara)

Abstract

Field as well as mineralogical and geochemical investigation of evaporates of Taoudenni-Agorgott deposit were performed. It was stated out that the profile is composed of halite, glauberite, gypsum, carbonates, quartz and clay minerals. The sequence of the presence of minerals at the profile suggests the deposit is the result of evaporation of salty lake during drying of climate at the Sahara Desert. Mineral composition of evaporates suggest that $Na-Cl$ reach like evolved to $Na-Ca-SO_4$ phase and next was fully evaporated and coated with detrital sediments.