Origin, Source, Composition and Transport Pathways of Sand Dune (A Case Study: Garmsar Dune Fields).

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 International Desert Research Center (I.D.R.C.), University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Arid and Mountainous Regions Reclamation, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Alborz, Iran

Abstract

In arid environments dominated by dune fields, the form, alignment, and aeolian characteristics of sand dunes provide critical insights into their origin, sediment sources, and transport pathways. This study assesses the sedimentological characteristics of the Garmsar desert dunes to identify these key parameters. Surface sand samples were collected across a representative distribution within the Garmsar dune fields. Sediment characterization was performed using dry sieving for particle size analysis, thin-section microscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for bulk mineralogy. The results demonstrate that dune form and alignment effectively record the strong wind directions in the region. The mean sand size ranges from 187 to 345 μm (medium to very fine sand), with sorting coefficients between 1.556 and 1.779 (moderately to moderately well-sorted). These findings suggest that the sand has undergone relatively short-distance transport from its source. Mineralogical data indicate that the dunes are primarily composed of carbonate and volcanic minerals. Consequently, the primary sand origin are identified as the Upper/Lower Red Formations and the Qom Formation in the Kohe Sorkh area, with sediment transported via the Shur River in the northwest. Based on grain size characteristics, the presence of rock fragments, and mineralogical composition, it is concluded that the sediments are predominantly derived from local sources.

Keywords

Desert
Volume 31, Issue 1
June 2026
Pages 1-17

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics