Geology and Mineralogy of Jabal Kabid Phosphorite Deposits, Southeastern Jordan

The phosphorites of Jabal Kabid (Campanian-Maastrichtian), crops out along the southeastern extension of Ras En Naqab - Batn Al Ghul escarpments, are up to 20 m thick and unconformably overlie the Upper Cretaceous-Batn Al Ghul Group. The phosphorite sequence in the study area shows lateral variations in lithology, thickness and distribution of the phosphorite beds. Generally, phosphates at these localities form approximately 50% of the sequence and occur as beds, up to 1.4 m thick. The petrographic studies indicate the presence of phosphate pellets, bone fragments, fish teeth, and phosphate intraclasts. The main phosphate mineral is francolite. Chemical results indicate that P2O5 content of the phosphate beds increases upwards in the sequence from 8.0 to 26.42 %. The SEM-EDS results indicate that the P2O5 content ranges between 36.98-41.67%. The phosphorites, in the study area, were deposited in a marginal marine environment close to the shore line.