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

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.