Geochemistry and magmatic setting of Wadi El-Markh island-arc gabbro–diorite suite,central Eastern Desert,Egypt

Wadi El-Markh gabbro–diorite complex is composed of pyroxene hornblende gabbros, hornblende gabbros, diorites and quartz diorites. According to their bulk rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry, the gabbroic and dioritic rocks represent fractionates along a single line of descent and crystallized from a calc-alkaline mafic magma. When compared to the primitive mantle, all members of the gabbroic–dioritic rock suite are enriched in the large ion lithophile elements relative to the high field strength elements and display distinctive negative Nb and P₂O₅ anomalies. This signals an arc setting. Fractionation modeling involving the major elements reveals that the hornblende gabbros were generated from the parent pyroxene hornblende gabbros by 61.86% fractional crystallization. The diorites were produced from the hornblende gabbros by fractional crystallization with a 58.97% residual liquid, whereas the quartz diorites were formed from the diorites by 26.58% fractional crystallization. According to geothermobarometry based on amphibole mineral chemistry, the most primitive pyroxene hornblende gabbros crystallized at ～830 °C/～5 kbar. The crystallization conditions of the quartz diorites were estimated at ～570 °C/～2 kbar. In consequence the Wadi El-Markh gabbro–diorite complex represents a single magmatic suite of which fractionates crystallized in progressively shallower levels of an arc crust.     

Geochemical Constraints of the Ediacaran Volcano-Sedimentary Succession of the Sa’al Metamorphic Complex at Wadi Zaghra, South Sinai, Egypt

The volcano-sedimentary succession around Wadi Zaghra in Sinai, at the northernmost segment of the Arabian Nubian Shield, comprises volcanic rocks interbedded with rather immature sediments. The succession is dominated by intermediate to silicic volcanics of medium-to high-K calc-alkaline affinity. It is divided into two units, the lower unit includes intermediate rocks and dacites interbedded with graywackes, semi-pelites and pelites and topped by polymict conglomerates. This unit is subjected to folding and regional metamorphism(up to garnet zone) and is intruded by quartz diorite-granodiorite inducing, locally, low-pressure contact thermal metamorphism. The unmetamorphosed upper unit encompasses acid volcanics intercalated with litharenite, sublitharenite and minor arenite. The rhyolites of this unit pertain to the highly fractionated granites and are characterized by an agpaitic index(NK/A) ranging from 0.87 to 0.96. They may reflect either extensive interaction of subduction-related magmas with the continental crust or a change in the tectonic regime. The present lithological and geochemical characteristics of the studied sediments together with available zircon ages indicate rather distal provenance of their detritus. This detritus comprises fluvial-alluvial sediments accumulated in the intermontane basins, which are half-grabens or tilted fault blocks. The tectonic setting of the depositional basins is active continental margin and continental island arcs. Geochemical patterns of the Zaghra volcano-sedimentary succession indicate their correlation with the Dokhan Volcanics-Hammamat Clastics sequence of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Also, the Zaghra volcanics display geochemical similarities with those exposed in Sinai, at the Rutig, Ferani and Iqna Shar'a areas. The Zaghra succession is dated as Ediacaran but is not related either to the ensimatic island arc assemblage or to the rift-related assemblage formed during the early stages of the break-up of Rodinia as previously thought.     

Hydrochemical and isotopic study of groundwater in Wadi El Hechim–Garaa Hamra basin, Central Tunisia

Hydrochemical and isotopic study of Miocene and Mio-Plio-Quaternary (M-P-Q) aquifers in Wadi El Hechim?CGaraa Hamra basin, Central Tunisia was undertaken in order to investigate recharge mode and processes leading to mineralization of groundwater as well as interaction between both systems. The results revealed striking differences between the two aquifer systems. While the Miocene aquifer contains recently recharged waters with generally low mineralization (around 0.5?g?L^?1), stemming mainly from dissolution of carbonate minerals, the M-P-Q aquifer reveals TDS values reaching 3?g?L^?1, controlled mainly by dissolution of evaporitic minerals. Isotopic data indicate that the Miocene aquifer contains water recharged in past several decades (bomb tritium and bomb radiocarbon detected). The M-P-Q system appears to be much slower, with time scales of groundwater flow possibly reaching some thousands of years. Sharp discontinuity of hydrochemical and isotope characteristic of groundwater observed across the major tectonic fault separating the Miocene and M-P-Q aquifers supports the idea of very limited (if any) hydraulic interconnection between both studied systems. This in turn calls for revision of existing conceptual models of groundwater flow in the region postulating significant groundwater fluxes crossing the fault in the direction of M-P-Q aquifer and adjacent aquifers in the Wadi al Fakka plain.     

Identifying the hydrochemical processes of groundwater in Wadi Na’man, Western Saudi Arabia using factor analysis

The groundwater of Wadi Na??man, located in the western Saudi Arabia, is subject to intense exploitation to accommodate all the water demands of this arid area. The groundwater of its shallow aquifer undergoes significant decline in water level, increasing salinity due to long time of aridity and irregular rainfall. A multivariate statistical technique, factor analysis, was used to identify and understand hydrochemical association and processes leading to the variability of groundwater quality without losing any information of input pattern and avoid limitations that are associated with classical methods. R- and Q-modes of factor analysis were applied to 63 groundwater samples and 21 variables. This analysis revealed that three factors accounted for 55.9% of the total data variability. Factor 1 was dominated by Ca²⁺, Mg⁺, Na⁺, Cl^?, and SO ₄ ^2? , as well as trace elements such as phosphorus and boron, suggesting effects from possible water?Csoil/rock interaction and agricultural activities. Factor 2 represented high aluminum loading as a result of the weathering of aluminum silicate minerals. Factor 3 revealed negative loading of dissolved CO₃ and Zn, indicating long-term aridity. Plots of Factor 1 versus Factor 2 and Factor 3 demonstrated that the samples clustered into one group with good separation from outliers. In addition, assessment of the drinking quality suggested that salinity increases with SO ₄ ^2? ?CCl^??CCa²⁺.     

Groundwater chemistry of strike slip faulted aquifers: the case study of Wadi Zerka Ma’in aquifers, north east of the Dead Sea

Wadi Zerka Ma’in catchment area is located to the north east of the Dead Sea. It has two types of aquifers: (a) an upper unconfined aquifer and (b) a lower confined aquifer. The two aquifers are separated by a marl aquiclude. A major strike slip fault passes perpendicularly through the two aquifers and the aquiclude layer with embedded normal faults. The aim of the study was to specify the effect of the major strike slip fault on the groundwater chemistry. The spatial variability of the hydrochemical compositions and physiochemical parameters of the groundwater were investigated. It was found that the embedded normal faults, of the strike slip fault, form conduits that allow groundwater to flow from the lower aquifer to the upper aquifer, resulting in mixed groundwater. The ratio of mixing was estimated to be 94 % groundwater from the upper aquifer and 6 % from the lower aquifer. Since groundwater in the lower aquifer is around three times more saline than the upper aquifer, water mixing into the upper water aquifer generates a salinity hazard.     

Use of Landsat 7 ETM+ for lithological and structural mapping of Wadi Afara Heouine area (Tahifet–Central Hoggar, Algeria)

Wadi Afara Héouine area (Tahifet, Central Hoggar) is marked by the existence of very diversified lithologies affected by big submeridian accidents, of which Wadi Afara Héouine, who represents a "linear discontinuity" on near 80 km forming a morphological limit which separates, a strongly gneissic domain (Oua Hellèdjène) of a domain with metasedimentary dominant (Aghefsa). Lithologies not described in the former works were defined by the application of specific treatments (color composite, band ratios, and selective PCA). They also allow us to suggest some modifications to the geologic map of Tahifet. Directional filters associated to the previous treatments helped us in the elaboration of lineament map which accentuates the various accidents affecting the region. It seems clearly that treatments applied to the images ETM contribute in an undeniable way to the geologic study of this region especially since a big part of this region is inaccessible     

An example of post-collisional appinitic magmatism with an arc-like signature: the Wadi Nasb mafic intrusion,north Arabian–Nubian Shield,south Sinai,Egypt

We present new data for the Neoproterozoic mafic intrusion exposed in Wadi Nasb, south Sinai, Egypt (northernmost Arabian–Nubian Shield; ANS). The Nasb mafic intrusion (NMI) intrudes metasediments, Rutig volcanics, and diorite/granodiorite, and is intruded in turn by younger monzogranite and quartz-monzonite. Available geochronological data for the country rocks of the NMI provide a tight constraint on its age, between 619 and 610 Ma, during the hiatus between the lower and upper Rutig volcanics. The NMI is neither deformed nor metamorphosed, indicating post-collisional emplacement, and uralitization by late-magmatic and sub-solidus alteration is restricted to the margins of the intrusion. A quantitative fractionation model indicates a fractionating assemblage of 61% primary amphibole, 10% clinopyroxene, 28% plagioclase, 1% biotite, 0.4% apatite, and 0.15% Fe-Ti oxide. Contrary to the recent studies, we find that the nearby diorite of Gebel Sheikh El-Arab is not co-genetic with the appinitic gabbro of the NMI. Although there are volcanic xenoliths in the NMI, we find no chemical evidence requiring contamination by continental crust. A subduction-related signature in a post-orogenic intrusion requires the inheritance of geochemical tendencies from a previous subduction phase. Given that the fine-grained gabbro of the NMI is consistent with a near-primary mantle melt, we attribute this inheritance to persistence and later melting of the slab-modified mantle domains, as opposed to partial melting and assimilation of the juvenile continental crust. The fine-grained gabbro composition indicates derivation at temperature and pressure conditions similar to the sources of mid-ocean ridge basalts: mantle potential temperature near 1350°C and extent of melting about 7%. Such temperatures, neither so high as to require a plume nor so low as to be consistent with small degrees of melting of a volatile-rich source, are most consistent with a lithospheric delamination scenario, allowing the upwelling of fertile, subduction-modified asthenosphere to depths ≤50 km.     

The Wadi Zaghra metasediments of Sinai,Egypt: new constraints on the late Cryogenian–Ediacaran tectonic evolution of the northernmost Arabian–Nubian Shield

ABSTRACT

The La Tinta mélange is a small but singular ultramafic mélange sheet that crops out in eastern Cuba. It is composed of dolerite-derived amphibolite blocks embedded in a serpentinite matrix. The amphibolite blocks have mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like composition showing little if any imprint of subduction zone component, similar to most forearc and MOR basalts worldwide. Relict Cr-spinel and olivine mineral chemistry of the serpentinized ultramafic matrix suggest a forearc position for these rocks. These characteristics, together with a hornblende ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 123.2 ± 2.2 Ma from one of the amphibolite blocks, suggest that the protoliths of the amphibolite blocks correspond to forearc basalt (FAB)-related rocks that formed during the earlier stage of subduction initiation of the Early Cretaceous Caribbean arc. We propose that the La Tinta amphibolites correspond to fragments of sills and dikes of hypoabyssal rocks formed in the earlier stages of a subduction initiation scenario in the Pacific realm (ca. 136 Ma). The forearc dolerite-derived amphibolites formed by partial melting of upwelling fertile asthenosphere at the beginning of subduction of the Proto-Caribbean (Atlantic) slab, with no interaction with slab-derived fluids/melts. This magmatic episode probably correlates with Early Cretaceous basic rocks described in Hispaniola (Gaspar Hernandez serpentinized peridotite-tectonite). The dikes and sills cooled and metamorphosed due to hydration at low pressure (ca. 3.8 kbar) and medium to high temperature (up to 720ºC) and reached ca. 500ºC at ca. 123 Ma. At this cooling stage, serpentinite formed after hydration of the ultramafic upper mantle. This process might have been favoured by faulting during extension of the forearc, indicating an early stage of dike and sill fragmentation and serpentinite mélanges formation; however, full development of the mélange likely took place during tectonic emplacement (obduction) onto the thrust belt of eastern Cuba during the latest Cretaceous.     

Rainfall-runoff modeling of ungauged Wadis in arid environments (case study Wadi Rabigh—Saudi Arabia)

Flash flood forecasting of catchment systems is one of the challenges especially in the arid ungauged basins. This study is attempted to estimate the relationship between rainfall and runoff and also to provide flash flood hazard warnings for ungauged basins based on the hydrological characteristics using geographic information system (GIS). Morphometric characteristics of drainage basins provide a means for describing the hydrological behavior of a basin. The study examined the morphometric parameters of Wadi Rabigh with emphasis on its implication for hydrologic processes through the integration analysis between morphometric parameters and GIS techniques. Data for this study were obtained from ASTER data for digital elevation model (DEM) with 30-m resolution, topographic map (1:50,000), and geological maps (1,250,000) which were subject to field confirmation. About 36 morphometric parameters were measured and calculated, and interlinked to produce nine effective parameters for the evaluation of the flash flood hazard degree of the study area. Based on nine effective morphometric parameters that directly influence on the hydrologic behavior of the Wadi through time of concentration, the flash flood hazard of the Rabigh basin and its subbasins was identified and classified into three groups (High, medium, and low hazard degree). The present work proved that the physiographic features of drainage basin contribute to the possibility of a flash flood hazard evaluation for any particular drainage area. The study provides details on the flash flood prone subbasins and the mitigation measures. This study also helps to plan rainwater harvesting and watershed management in the flash flood alert zones. Based on two historical data events of rainfall and the corresponding maximum flow rate, morphometric parameters and Stormwater Management and Design Aid software (SMADA 6), it could be to generate the hydrograph of Wadi Rabigh basin. As a result of the model applied to Wadi Rabigh basin, a rainfall event of a total of 22 mm with a duration of 5 h at the station nearby the study area, which has an exceedance probability of 50 % and return period around 2 years, produces a discharge volume of 15.2?×?10⁶ m³ at the delta, outlet of the basin, as 12.5 mm of the rainfall infiltrates (recharge).     

Hydrothermal altered serpentinized zone and a study of Ni-magnesioferrite–magnetite–awaruite occurrences in Wadi Hibi,Northern Oman Mountain: Discrimination through ASTER mapping

Economic important minerals and ore deposits are common in hydrothermal altered serpentinized zone. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite sensor is capable of discrimination of such hydrothermal mineralized zone and detection of hydrothermal altered minerals. In the present study, the hydrothermal altered serpentinized harzburgites of Wadi Hibi area of Northern Oman Mountains have been discriminated by using ASTER VNIR–SWIR spectral bands by image processing methods and the occurrences of Ni-magnesioferrite–magnetite–awaruite in the rocks are studied. The color composite RGB image developed using ASTER spectral bands 8, 4 and 1, mapped well the occurrence of weathered peridotites by pale green to dark blue in colors and discriminated the hydrothermally altered serpentinized rocks by pale brown to dark blue colors due to the strong absorption of OH and Mg–OH molecules that occurred in the serpentine minerals of the rocks in the study area. The ASTER band ratios 4/7, 4/1, and 2/3 × 4/3 RGB images studied are capable of discrimination of hydrothermal mineralized areas more clear by pale blue to purple colors due to the strong absorption of such hydroxyl bearing serpentine minerals. The studied image processing methods are evaluated by applying to the region of Wadi Sarami situated in the Semail ophiolite (Oman). In addition to that, the occurrence of serpentine minerals namely, lizardite and antigorite in the hydrothermally altered serpentinized region are detected qualitatively and quantitatively using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) supervised classification image processing method and studied.The interpreted images are verified in the field and checked for the occurrences of minerals including Ni-magnesioferrite, magnetite, pentlandite and awaruite and are confirmed through laboratory studies. Petrographic study of serpentinized harzburgites shows that the rocks consist predominantly of antigorite and lizardite serpentines, olivine and have the opaque minerals assemblage of Ni-magnesioferrite + magnetite + awaruite + pentlandite developed during serpentinization of the rock. The occurrences of such minerals are confirmed by XRD, electron microprobe analyses and spectral measurements in the laboratory.ASTER sensor proved its capability in discriminating the hydrothermal altered serpentinized zone and detecting the mineral occurrences and thus the study recommends the technique to the exploration geologists, scientists and mining geologists for mapping of such rocks and minerals in the similar arid region.     

遥感技术在北非努比亚地盾Wadi Halfa地区金矿勘查中的应用

努比亚地盾位于北非撒哈拉克拉通以东,是北部非洲的一个工作程度极低但找矿潜力巨大的金矿成矿区。该区干旱、无植被和基岩出露良好的自然条件非常有利于应用遥感技术进行找矿勘查。本文主要利用多波谱遥感技术指导努比亚地盾西北端Wadi Halfa地区的金矿找矿,通过遥感图像处理和蚀变信息提取,分析金矿找矿潜力和圈定勘查靶区。野外勘查验证表明多波谱遥感技术在该区取得了很好的效果,对努比亚地盾及其他类似区具有很好的示范作用。     

沙特阿拉伯Wadi Thuwal地区地质灾害评价的地球物理勘探——典型实例

在本项研究中,应用磁法和地震法互补的手段绘制Wadi Thuwal地区的地质灾害图。深部地质构造的磁性解释涉及极点配置算法和向下延拓方法的简化。研究结果表明,研究区内存在3种主断层走向：北东-南西和北东北-南西南;北西-南东以及北-南向。此外,通过地震法勘探证实,剪切带已接近Harrat Thuwal地区。地震法显示了3种岩性层位,其基岩深度范围为从研究区东南部9m至北部24m。勘探结果也显示了5个主要断层走向：北西-南东：北东东-南西西;北东-南西和近似东-西向。地表地质调查、磁法和地震勘探结果表明,可把Wadi Thuwal地区划分成3个地质灾害分区,这取决于存在的地质构造,例如断层。我们建议,在Wadi Thuwal地区进行开发计划之前,都应考虑划分的灾害分区。     

Geochemistry of pillow basalts from Bompoka,Andaman–Nicobar islands,Bay of Bengal,India

Pillow lavas in Bompoka island of the Andaman–Nicobar islands, forming a part of Sunda–Burmese forearc, are composed of plagioclase and clinopyroxene microphenocrysts in a fine-grained ferruginous groundmass along with glass. They are also characterized by several quench plagioclase and clinopyroxene morphologies. Zr/TiO₂ versus Nb/Y relationship of these pillow lavas show that these are tholeiitic basalts in composition. These basalts have low MgO (5.19–6.12 wt%), Ni (84–118 ppm), and Cr (144–175 ppm) abundance and high FeO^(T)/MgO (1.71–1.92) ratios, reflecting their fractionated nature. In Th/Yb versus Nb/Yb and Ti/Yb versus Nb/Yb binary diagrams, they show N-MORB affinity. However, La/Nb–Y and Ce/Nb–Th/Nb relationships along with a slight LREE depleted (La_N/Yb_N = 0.75–0.82) pattern and high Ba/Zr (0.28–0.40) ratios and LILE (K, Rb, Ba, Sr and Th) enrichment relative to N-MORB, suggest their back-arc basin basalt affinity. It is inferred that these pillow basalts have been derived from a metasomatised N-MORB-like mantle source in a trench-distal (wider) back-arc basin, probably near the leading edge of the Eurasian continent during Early to Late Cretaceous times, prior to the currently active Andaman–Java subduction system.     

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Permian--Triassia Boundary Section of Changxing, Zhejiang, Southern China

Three third-order sequences and about one hundred high-frequency cycles or Milankovitchcycles within the Late Permian Changxingian to Early Triassic Griesbachian are identified in theMeishan Section of Changxing, Zhejiang Province, southern China, the candidate stratotype sec-tion of the global Permo-Triassic boundary, based on a detailed study of the biological,ecological and high-resolution allochthonous cyclic events, microfacies and depositional systems.Furthermore, the stacking pattern of the depositional systems across various Changxingian andGriesbachian sedimentary facies of the Lower Yangtze and the sequence stratigraphic frameworkare outlined with the Meishan section as the principal section. In this paper the habitat types offossil biota are applied to semiquantitative palaeobathymetry and the study of relative sea levelchanges.     

Application of the Sequence Stratigraphy in the Study of Cretaceous-Tertiary of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China

1. IntroductionThe Tarim basin, one of the most developed and important areas of marine Cretaceous-Tertiary in China except for south Tibet, is very rich in oil and gas, such as Kekeya oilfield in southwestern Tarim and Kela2 gas field in northeastern Tarim. Because of the expansion, subduction of the oceanic crust of the Tethys and the collision between the India plate and the Eurasia plate during the Cretaceous-Tertiary, the Tethys transgressed into the Tarim basin from west to east fr…