ABSTRACT

The following account is an investigation of the mechanical composition of some sixty bottom samples from the Northern Part of the Red Sea, in particular from the three differently constituted areas, the Gulf of Suez, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea proper. The statistical constants were correlated with each other and with the contents of calcium carbonate, nitrogen and organic matter and these properties were correlated with the environmental conditions of deposition. Though sufficient work has not been done on the Red Sea deposits to enable general conclusions to be drawn, still conclusions relating to the effect of depth and the configuration of the sea-bottom seem to be well established. The irregular bottom topography gives rise to variety in the deposits. Contrasts appear betw en the deposits of the shallow and smooth Gulf of Suez, of the deeper Gulf of Aqaba, and the very irregular Red Sea proper.