Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Siwaqa Travertine, South Amman, Jordan

Siwaqa Travertine occurs about 70 km south of Amman, in the vicinity of Siwaqa Strike-Slip fault. Representative surface and subsurface samples of travertine have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction , ICP and wet chemistry to study the mineralogy and geochemistry of travertine. Data of Siwaqa traveritine is compared with travertines from other localities in Jordan. Calcite is the most dominant constituent Dolomite, quartz, kaolinite, gypsum/Bassanite, and hematite are present in minor amounts. Presence of clay minerals and Iron oxides have resulted in the departure of travertine from its creamy white colour. CaO with an average of 50 9% is mainly attributed to carbonate minerals, particularly calcite. Relatively rich trace element content in Siwaqa traverime compared to Mujeb travertine is attributed to leaching of underlying oil shale and/or marble. Higher concentrations of some of the elements probably resulted due to diagenetic processes and syngenetic mineralization.