The main objective of this paper is to study the mineralogical composition and the environmental conditions of the Subiyah clay to be used for crafting pottery and technological behaviour that allows the evaluation of the applicability of the clay deposits in manufacturing new ceramic products at Kuwait. This research could help artists, crafters of potters, and ceramic manufactures in Kuwait to depend on inland clay and this makes it easier for more production in ceramic and pottery in the future. All this could enhance the cultural of ceramic in teaching or producing it in Kuwaitfor the first time. For that purpose, six stations were selected at North-eastern part (Subiyah area) of Kuwait for clay investigation. X-ray Diffraction method (XRD) was led to identify mineralogical composition of samples; S1, S2, S3, S4A, S4B, and S6 were quartz, Calcite (Caco3), Dolomite, Illite and Clinochlore. Whereas; Quartz, Calcite Dolomite, Palygorskite, Nontronite and Clinochlore were recorded at S5 and S7. Clay mineralogical and environmental studies at our study area proved that, crafter can depend on Subiyah clay better than importing it from abroad.
Ceramic behaviour of some clay deposits from different provinces all over the world was subjected to intensive studies [
This study results from the necessity of the Kuwait ceramic industry to locate clays of high plasticity that additionally possess a high degree of cohesion upon drying and wide verification ranges; therefore, there is great interest in their ceramic behaviour. There are no previous studies exist about these non-exploited clay deposits in Subiyah province. This is the first time that the applicability of these clays as a raw material for the ceramic industry has been tested.
The most abundant, ubiquitous, and accessible material on the earth crust is clay [
Kuwait lies along the north-western corner of the Arabian Gulf, bordered by Saudi Arabia in the south, Iraq to the north and west and the Arabian Gulf to the east. The surface topography is about 17,818 km2 and about seven Islands scattered off along the coast of Kuwait (
The surface of Kuwait is marked by undulating gravel―covered plains that slope gently towards the Gulf. In general, the surface of Kuwait is flat sand desert that can divide into north and south part. The north part is hard flat with shallow depressions and low hills running from north-west to south west. The principle escarpment is in the north region are Jal Az-Zour escarpment “with 145 m,
height” and Al-Liyahv ridge “with 138 m, height” [
Geological the land of Kuwait consists of flat-lying Tertiary rocks over laying the gently folded cretaceous and Jurassic formations [
karst development and at its contact with younger sediments, which is an indication of sub-aerial exposure and erosion. The Ghar, Mutla and Jal-Az-Zor formations are primarily composed of calcareous sandstones. Sunday lime stones, clay and sand. Unconsolidated sands constitute nearly half of these deposits [
In general, north Kuwait is largely covered by a gravel plain. The predominated of this unit in Kuwait is mainly attributed to the recurrence of the gravel Dibdibba formation which out crops in north Kuwait and south Iraq and acts as a protective lager stabilizing the desert surface from wind evasion [
tidal flat 8) beaches 9) calcrete 10) evaporate 11) wadi and desert plain [
The distribution of surface sediments is highly controlled by several mechanisms. Firstly, wind plays, a major role in distribution Quaternary and recent Aeolian deposits along the dominated direction form the north-northwest, the dune fields and sands sheets are clearly oriented in this direction. Secondly, water-laid deposits are visible along the wadi channels where high amounts of pebbles and gravels from a gravel lag along the wadi tributary system (
The main two sources of sediments in the Northern Kuwait: the Aeolian deposition and the in-situ precipitation in the form of sabkhas (coastal sabkhas). Aeolian transportation, as mentioned by [
The climate of Kuwait is characterized by extremely hot, dry summer with average maximum daily temperature of 59˚C and mild to cool in winter in which temperature of 1˚C occur. The annual rain fall is 3 to more than 13 inches and averages between 2 and 5 inches. Evaporation gently dominates over the whole climatic year. The general movement of ground water is up word. It leads to concentration of soluble materials near the surface, enriching the top layers in gypsum, halides and calcium carbonate. The relative humidity is high in December and January, with average maximum of 85%. Summer humidity is generally less than 45%. The frequent winds from the north-west are cool in winter and spring and hot in summer. Dust-storms (Toz) lasting at times for several days through the year.
Rocks ranging in age from early Miocene to Recent are exposed on the surface throughout the State of Kuwait. The very low dips and similarity of lithology make correlation of formations difficult, as marker beds can be traced accurately for only short distances. Along the Jal-Az-Zor escarpment three formations can be recognized, owing to the presence of fossiliferous clays of the Lower Fars Formation which separate the overlying Dibdibba Formation from the Ghar Formation. Where the Lower Fars cannot be recognized, no subdivision is possible, and the entire sequence is called the Kuwait Group. Recent deposits within Kuwait consist of the following types:
Beach deposits are composed of reworked sandstone from the Kuwait Group; these sands may be cemented with calcium carbonate and are current bedded. Some oolitic limestones and shelly limestones also occur. The fossils within these beds have been correlated with present species. Extensive deltaic and tidal mudflats are found in north-eastern Kuwait, Bubiyan Island, and along the north shore of Kuwait Bay. These are composed predominantly of plastic clay and silt having a high saline content. The material is considered by the author and others to have been deposited by the Tigris-Euphrates Kiver system.
Deposits formed in inland drainage basins are usually very fine silt and clay with a variable percentage of sand and a very high salt content. Windblown sand is common.
Clay-based materials occur both in the plain and river areas [
Clay minerals are seldom mono-mineral and have no genetic significance, as it is used for residual weathering products, hydrothermally altered products, and sedimentary deposits [
Six stations were selected for soil samples from Subiyah area, Northern Kuwait. Samples from modern freshwater and coastal marine depositional environments were chosen for the inter-laboratory comparison. Samples were collected from depths of 0.2 m to 0.4 m below the ground surface (see map
X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed on 7 (see Figures 5-12) samples using Siemens D5000 Diffractometer. Representative samples of the clays were
separately crushed and milled to fine particles. Power preparations and oriented samples in the air-dried and ethylene glycol solvated states using a SIEMENS D500 diffractometer (Fe-filtered Cu radiation) equipped with a Socabim DACO-MP recorder system. The system is controlled by the DiffracAT software. The scanning step and the counting time were 0.052 h CuK an and 3 s
for the random powder samples and 0.0252 h CuK an and 4 s for the oriented samples. CEC was determined by clay saturation with Mg2 þ (as MgCl) and posterior displacement of Mg2 þ with NH þ 4 (as CH3 COONH4). Magnesium concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The background and peak-positions were identified and based on the peak positions and
intensities, a search-match routine was performed. XRD was used to identify the mineral components in the samples and to determine, in part, the proportion of the clay minerals present. Randomly mounted material was scanned to determine the non-clay mineral component of the sediments, with mineral identification
being made against reference standard diffractograms. Clay mineral identification was made using samples sediment onto glass slides to maximize the diffraction peaks used to characterize these components ({001} and {002} lines).
The identification of the clay minerals followed the methodology designed by [
Based on [
This research will depend on practice based research in using and testing clays, understanding the validity of the clays to be used in the forming pottery. Also, identifying the percentage of the amount of the clay and Pseudo matrix within each amount of clay.
In the beginning of this research some samples were taken from different areas in Subiyah, located in north of Kuwait and near to Bobyan Island. Seven samples were taken from different places. The practice based in this research divided into three applications for clay mineralogy, these areas as the following:
In this application, researchers were taken a sample amount of 100 gr. sediments from every station, put it in a sieve with mish less than 63 µ (clay size), then washed it with normal tape water, to separate calcareous materials and dust (
In this test, each sample was tested inside press mould clay of cup form to see the practice result of each clay after the firing under 1031˚C
In this experiment, each sample was tested by throwing experiment technique, using the electronic wheel to see the forming of clay in making bowls and cups
Weight of Non―Clay Deposits by Gram | Sample No. |
---|---|
32.5 | 1 |
17.1 | 2 |
48.4 | 3 |
40.8 | 4 |
9.7 | 5 |
50.6 | 6 |
6.7 | 7 |
into the pottery product and observing the results after the firing in the kiln 1031˚C (see Figures 13-20).
It has been weighting the sands and grains in each sample of clays and the results shows in
Samples; S1, S2, S3, S4A, S4B and S6 show low quartz, Calcite (Caco3), Dolomite,
Illite and Clinochlore. Whereas; Quartz, Calcite Dolomite, Palygorskite, Nontronite and Clinochlore were recorded at S5 and S7 (see Figures 5-12).
In such step applying the wheel for the clay samples. This stage is the most
important one for the potters and Ceramists designer, to design and make a cups and bowls or vases. In the beginning of this step, the clay of each sample purified from grains
In this stage of the research, a mould from plaster selected with a form of cup
From this experiment of applying samples inside the mold, the best clay can be seen in sample (6), this because the clay body kept the same form of the mould cup. Also, it gave a strong body pottery after firing. The next best sample was sample number (7) then sample (2) this because of firming of the silicate and less grains. Finally, came sample (5), but this sample was bind during
shrinking and change the pottery form of the cup. Samples (1), (3) and (4) are not suitable for clay forming in the mould. This because of containing more sands and grains or stones or it has a less silicate. In general, some clays could add more materials towards occurring or improving the body of the clay samples.
The study area is located North West Subiyah, at the far Northeast Kuwait. The ecology background of the area shows: poor vegetation cover controlled primarily by rain flow, and by land form. Darning lines and sandy basins are favoured sites for plant growth (see
based on varieties in the habitats, land form and soil characteristics and floristics composition could be formed. These ecosystems are: Sand dunes ecosystem; 2-The salt march and saline depressions; 3-The desert plain ecosystem; 4-The desert plateau ecosystem [
Clay after firing under the 1031 degree | Clay in the air | Clay, flexibility characteristics and the forming on the wheel | Sample number |
---|---|---|---|
Suitable for art craft | does not change the shape form | Suitable for throwing use, soft, but it has a smell | 1 |
Suitable but sometimes showed cracks at the surface | The clay does not show a change the shape form | Suitable for throwing but it is so soft | 2 |
Suitable after firing | The clay does not change the shape form | Suitable and easy forming and has a big of flexibility | 3 |
Suitable after the fire | The clay didn’t change the shape form | Suitable and easy forming. | 4 |
The form changed and the surface bend and it caused cracked with the body of the pottery | Not suitable and it caused cracked within the body surface after drying | Suitable and easy forming and building. | 5 |
Suitable after firing | Suitable and the form didn’t change its design. | Suitable and easy forming and has a big flexibility. | 6 |
Suitable after firing | Suitable and the form didn’t change its design | Suitable and easy forming and has big flexibility | 7 |
resemble suitable location for clay industry, taking in consideration other positive factors for clay minerals (
Based on XRD analysis and field observations, samples were showed consistency in the revelation of the quantities of different constituents of the clays. X-ray diffraction study shows the presence of quartz, calcite, Dolomite, Illite, Clinochlore, Palygorskite, and Nontronite, as major phases. The clays after purification exhibited the potential for application in the production of refractories. Authors concluded the present of Palygorskite mineral in S5 and S7 samples are detrital, transported mostly by NW winds comes from Iraq, and arid climate. The clay deposits studied correspond to highly plastic clays with low contents of quartz. All studied samples were considerably plastic raw materials explaining their excellent aptitude for pressing except sample no. S3, which show less plasticity due to highly carbonate and gypsum content. The sample mineralogy indicates quartz as a primary mineral, followed by plagioclase. Illite, Clinochlore, Palygorskite, Nontronite were the main clay minerals in the raw material samples. From the industrial application for clays, originally, compositionally, they are an excellent raw material for the formulation of low porosity ceramic stoneware [
Authors thank Mrs. Eiman Morsy, she kindly improved the English of the manuscript. Also, authors thank Subah Al Ahmad Centre for Giftedness and Creativity-Ceramic Workshop for their cooperation and facilities assistant during this work and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) for qualitative XRD analysis.
Dakrory, A.M., Al Rashed, A.R. and Alkandari, F.A.H. (2018) Environmental Distribution of Clay Minerals in North West Subiyah Area, Kuwait: Compositional Variation and Application. International Journal of Geosciences, 9, 179-206. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2018.93012