File 1450/1919 ‘Mesopotamia & Kurdistan: Geological Reports on’ [‎167r] (348/522)

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(vi) Acid-proof linings for chemical tanks.
(mi) Roofing.
(viii) Insulating electric wires.
(ix) Substitute for rubber in garden hose.
M Binding for coal briquettes.
. —Mtentioii has been drawn in my reports to the supplies of sulphuretted hydrogen
which are aYai ^ } e ,a5 this country. Most of the occurrences are, of course, of no economic impor
tance, luit two nave been named as probably remunerative, viz. (i) The junction of the Greater
Zab with the 1 igns (Repoit Mo. 7) and (ii) N. of Kirkuk (Report Mo. 9). In addition to these
supplies, this gas will, in all probability, be given off in large quantities, from the oil of shallow oil
horizons, \vnen these aie tapped by boring. Any simple device to collect it from the well-heads
and oxidise it to free sulphur, either by incomplete combustion—H 2 5-{-0 “ILjO t fi— or by
mixture wnh sulphui dioxide 2 H 2 S + S0 2 ::: =2H 3 Q-I~3S—would prevent the waste of a valuable
product. 1 he device would have to be more or less portable and must not threaten the oil-fields
w ith fire or explosion.
GyPsum. Ihe quantity of gypsum in the country is, from a practical point of view, unlimited.
It is used by the Arabs for making jus ”, an inferior plaster for their houses, and as an ornament
al building-stone. The only place during my tour, in which I have seen it used extensively for the
latter purpose, is Mosul. 1 wouder it is not more employed in this way by villagers. It is better
than mud, even as a flooring—for which it is somewhat soft—and would be much cleaner,
snakes serviceable and not unattractive window-plinths.
Gypsum is, of course, the source of Plaster of Paris, for which unfortunately there is a very
limited market. No other extensive use for it has been found, so far as I know. Sulphuric Acid
can be manufactured from it by the simple application of heat, but the temperature requisite is-
comparatively high. This method of Sulphuric Acid manufacture was, I believe, actually tried on a
commercial scale in Germany, but was apparently unable to compete with supplies derived fron*
Iron Pyrites. Whether the association of unlimited gypsum with large quantities of liquid fuel,
together with the cost of transport of imported Sulphuric Acid would enable the Gypsum-process
to compete more successfully—locally at any rate—with the Sulphide-method, which, for instance,
is about to be used in Bengal, is a matter perhaps worth the attention of industrial firms. Person
ally, I think there is more chance of success in utilising the sulphuretted hydrogen emanations for
this purpose. Other things being equal it has at least the advantage over the pyrites method u>
that no roasting is required to obtain the sulphur dioxide.
Building Stone .—The sandstones of the Red Clay and Sandstone Series are, with rare excep
tions, too soft and incoherent for building purposes. The exceptions are occasional thin bands, not
more than 1 or feet thick, of a fairly tough well-bedded iron-stained mud-stone or fine sandstone
sometimes seen in the lowest zone. The cellular Ears limestones are not very desirable material,
but the more solid limestones, especially the “ Pelecypod bed ”, would do sufficiently well for build
ing. The latter is not very thick—a foot or two at the most—but its upper and lower boundaries
are parallel plane surfaces, which would simplify quarrying.
Road Metal. —Attention has been drawn in (Reports Nos. 1 and 5) to the eminent suitability of
the larger pebbles of the conglomerates and gravels, when broken up, for road metal.
Water. —There are good prospects of obtaining potable artesian water in any of the broad flat
synclines in which the Conglomerate Stage is present. The conglomerates usually contain suffi
cient sandstone to store water and the underlying thick massive clay of zone “ c ” would act as a
basin. The same may be said also for any synclines in which zone “ b ” is within reach of an
artesian boring, as it also is usually underlain by massive clay, and is an eminently porous zone.
Unfortunately it is not in these synclines that artesian water is usually required, since the conglo
merates are generally the source of streams which, in the cold months at any rate, attain some size.
It is difficult to treat the water question from a general point of view, and it will, I think, be best to
deal with any proposed area individually and on its own merit.
Conclusion. —In conclusion I should like to thank the various political and military officers for
all their assistance and courtesy. The relations between my camp and the Arabs and Kurds have,
without exception, been friendly, a consummation I owe largely to the excellent and efficient work
of my interpreter, Habib Kus Elias. Persistent bad weather curtailed work and caused profound
discomfort.
Dated 26th April, 1919.
E. H. PASCOE,
Superintendent, Geo. Sur., India.
S.G. P .Bd.—283—449—200—26-5-19.
1 ;
f 0//

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