@Article{, title={EARLY LUTETIAN PHOSHORITES IN WADI AKASH, WESTERN DESERT, IRAQ}, author={Khaldoun S. Al-Bassam and Hisham A. Al-Hashimi}, journal={Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining مجلة الجيولوجيا والتعدين العراقية}, volume={2}, number={2}, pages={23-38}, year={2006}, abstract={Phosphorites from the Ratga Formation (Eocene) exposed in Wadi Akash in the Western Desert of Iraq are studied from micropaleontological, petrological and geochemical aspects. They are the youngest among the phosphorite deposits of Iraq; index fossils of Middle Eocene (Early Lutetian) were identified in these phosphorites. The underlying rocks are composed of nummulitic limestone of Late Ypresian age, whereas the overlying rocks are basinal limestone of Late Lutetian age. The Early Lutetian phosphorites are peloidal in texture with calcareous cement. Detrital fragments are of small amount, composed of quartz grains and fish scales. The phosphorite is of low P2O5 grade relative to other Iraqi phosphorite deposits, but is similar to most marine phosphorites in having high concentrations of F, Cd, U, V, Y and Zn and being dominated by francolite (carbonate fluorapatite) as the only phosphorite mineral. The Early Lutetian phosphorites represent the final stage of the Tethyan phosphogenic epoch in Iraq and are comparable in age to several North African deposits.

} }