Characterisation and Spatial Distribution of Sediments on the Cote d'Ivoire Continental Shelf (Abidjan to Assinie)

Gbamble Bi Youzan Aimé *

Polytechnic University of San Pedro, UFR of Marine Sciences (SDM), BP V1800, San Pedro, Côte d'Ivoire.

Saimon Aby Atsé Mathurin

Oceanological Research Center (CRO), Rue des Pêcheurs, BP V 18 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Aka Charles Albéric

Oceanological Research Center (CRO), Rue des Pêcheurs, BP V 18 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Séhi Zokagon Sylvain

University Alassane Ouattara of Bouaké, UFR Sciences and Technology, BP V 581 Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.

Kpenou Christine Josiane Marie-Paule

Félix Houphouët Boigny University (UFHB, Côte d’Ivoire), UFR of Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.

Monde Sylvain

Félix Houphouët Boigny University (UFHB, Côte d’Ivoire), UFR of Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

The continental shelf of Côte d'Ivoire, particularly the Abidjan-Assinie area, has been studied due to its importance and potential, although little research has focused on its sedimentological aspects. Sediment samples were collected using a Shipeck grab, and grain size analyses revealed the presence of fine sands, medium sands, and rarely very fine sands. These sands exhibit a skewness toward finer grains, which is abundant, followed by nearly symmetrical and highly skewed towards finer grains, describing five (05) types of sorting. Deposited in a more or less turbulent environment or due to excess load, the sands have been transported in water — as indicated by their shiny, abraded state — by saltation, suspension, and mixed modes. These sands preferentially reside in a continental domain.

Keywords: Continental shelf, granulometry, sand, Abidjan-Assinie, Côte d'Ivoire


How to Cite

Aimé, Gbamble Bi Youzan, Saimon Aby Atsé Mathurin, Aka Charles Albéric, Séhi Zokagon Sylvain, Kpenou Christine Josiane Marie-Paule, and Monde Sylvain. 2024. “Characterisation and Spatial Distribution of Sediments on the Cote d’Ivoire Continental Shelf (Abidjan to Assinie)”. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International 28 (10):101-15. https://doi.org/10.9734/jgeesi/2024/v28i10828.