This study examines the sedimentological and mineralogical characteristics of recent deposits in the Khor Al-Zubair area, southern Iraq, to interpret depositional environments and the prevailing sedimentary system. Core samples were collected from three stations (St1, St2, St3) to a depth of 3 meters, subdivided into surface, middle, and bottom layers, yielding 27 samples for grain-size analysis and 6 for X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineralogical analysis.
Grain-size results show a dominance of fine-grained sediments, with silt content of 47-92%, clay 7-52%, and low sand fractions 1-18%. Most samples classify as very fine sandy clay or clayey silt with minor sand (Folk, 1974). Median grain sizes range from 4.9-5.8𝜙, with positive skewness indicating deposition dominated by suspended load. Sorting values are weak to moderate, reflecting limited energy variation in a low-energy environment.
Mineralogical analysis highlights the predominance of non-clay minerals, especially quartz, indicating a clear continental source. Carbonate minerals, mainly calcite with minor dolomite and gypsum, suggest chemical precipitation and early diagenetic processes in a transitional coastal setting. Weak or absent clay mineral reflections in some samples are attributed to fine grain sizes or semi-amorphous components.
High similarity in sedimentological and mineralogical properties across stations confirms lateral continuity and environmental uniformity. The study concludes that recent sediments were deposited in a low-energy estuarine–deltaic environment dominated by suspended-load deposition and weak current activity, providing key insights into the evolution of coastal environments in southern Iraq.