Intraplate volcanism in the Danube Basin of NW Hungary: 3D geophysical modelling of the Late Miocene Pásztori volcano

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Three-dimensional geophysical modelling of the early Late Miocene Pásztori volcano (ca. 11–10 Ma) and adjacent area in the Little...     

Imprints of hydrocarbon-bearing basinal fluids on a karst system: mineralogical and fluid inclusion studies from the Buda Hills,Hungary

Calcite veins and related sulphate–sulphide mineralisation are common in the Buda Hills. Also, abundant hypogenic caves are found along fractures filled with these minerals pointing to the fact that young cave-forming fluids migrated along the same fractures as the older mineralising fluids did. The studied vein-filling paragenesis consists of calcite, barite, fluorite and sulphides. The strike of fractures is consistent—NNW–SSE—concluding a latest Early Miocene maximum age for the formation of fracture-filling minerals. Calcite crystals contain coeval primary, hydrocarbon-bearing- and aqueous inclusions indicating that also hydrocarbons have migrated together with the mineralising fluids. Hydrocarbon inclusions are described here for the first time from the Buda Hills. Mixed inclusions, i.e., petroleum with ‘water-tail’, were also detected, indicating that transcrystalline water migration took place. The coexistence of aqueous and petroleum inclusions permitted to establish the entrapment temperature (80°C) and pressure (85 bar) of the fluid and thus also the thickness of sediments, having been eroded since latest Early Miocene times, was calculated (800 m). Low salinity of the fluids (<1.7 NaCl eq. wt%) implies that hydrocarbon-bearing fluids were diluted by regional karst water. FT-IR investigations revealed that CO₂ and CH₄ are associated with hydrocarbons. Groundwater also contains small amounts of HC and related gases on the basin side even today. Based on the location of the paleo- and recent hydrocarbon indications, identical migration pathways were reconstructed for both systems. Hydrocarbon-bearing fluids are supposed to have migrated north-westward from the basin east to the Buda Hills from the Miocene on.     

An estimate of the influence of loading effects on tectonic velocities in the Pyrenees

Surface displacements due to temporal changes in environmental mass redistributions are observable in the coordinate time series of many Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sites. In this study, we investigated the effect of loading on estimates of tectonic velocity computed from campaign-style GNSS observations. The study region is in the Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain (ResPyr campaigns). In this area, seismic activity is continuous and moderate and the expected amplitude of the horizontal tectonic velocity is less than 0.5 mm/yr. In order to determine the velocity, 4 sparse GNSS campaigns were carried out from 1995 to 2010. Considering this small rate of deformation, loading phenomena can contribute a non-negligible artifact to the velocity computation that could affect our geodynamical interpretation. In this investigation, we specifically considered the atmospheric, hydrological, and non-tidal ocean loading phenomena. The computed loading deformations for this region show the horizontal displacements are dominated by the non-tidal ocean loading (maximum 4 mm for the North and 3.1 mm for the East components); the main vertical contributions are due to the atmospheric and continental water storage loading (maximum 14.3 for the atmosphere and 8.1 mm for the hydrology, respectively). We have found that the dominant loading effect on the horizontal velocity is the non-tidal ocean loading (mean of 0.11 mm/yr), whereas the vertical component is dominated by the hydrological loading (mean of 0.21 mm/yr). Since the study area is in a mountainous region, we also analyzed the difference between the atmospheric and the topography dependent atmospheric loading models at our GNSS campaign sites. We did not find any significant difference between the two atmospheric loading models in terms of horizontal velocity. Finally, we performed simulations to identify the optimum timing and frequency of future GNSS campaigns in this area that would minimize the loading effects on tectonic velocity estimates.     

Sensitivity of MM5-simulated planetary boundary layer height to soil dataset: comparison of soil and atmospheric effects

The effects of two soil datasets on planetary boundary layer (PBL) height are analyzed, using model simulations. Simulations are performed with the MM5 weather prediction system over the Carpathian Basin, with 6?km horizontal resolution, investigating three summer days, two autumn, and one winter day of similar synoptic conditions. Two soil datasets include that of the United States Department of Agriculture, which is globally used, and a regional Hungarian called Hungarian unsaturated soil database. It is shown that some hydraulic parameter values between the two datasets can differ up to 5–50%. These differences resulted in 10% deviations in the space–time-averaged PBL height (averaged over Hungary and over 12?h in the daytime period). Over smaller areas, these relative deviations could reach 25%. Daytime course changes in the PBL height for reference run conditions were significant (p?<?0.01) in ≈70% of the grid points covering Hungary. Ensemble runs using different atmospheric parameterizations and soil moisture initialization setups are also performed to analyze the sensitivity under changed conditions. In these cases, the sensitivity test showed that irrespective of the radiation and PBL scheme, the effect of different soil datasets on PBL height is roughly the same. PBL height is also sensitive to field capacity (Θ_f) and wilting point (Θ_w) changes. Θ_f changes seem to be more important for loamy sand, while Θ_w changes for the clay soil textural class.     

Magnetic susceptibility as a possible correlation tool in Quaternary alluvial stratigraphy

Correlation of the fluvial magnetic susceptibility (MS) record of borehole Devavanya‐1 in the Körös Basin (eastern Hungary) with Chinese aeolian MS records (Jingbian, Lingtai) and the marine δ¹⁸O record from the Equatorial Pacific (V28‐239) is established here based on cross‐correlations and singular spectral analysis. A basin‐scale well‐to‐well correlation based on magnetic susceptibility records was also performed involving unpublished cores. To refine the age model, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted using the Chinese Jingbian section as a tuning target. Spectral analysis of the tuned record revealed c. 400, c. 100 and c. 41 ka cycles over the 2.5 million years of the Quaternary fluvial succession. To ensure a complementary palaeoclimate proxy, the full width at half maximum of smectites was measured as a facies‐independent indicator of weathering intensity. This investigation was carried out on a subset of samples involved in MS measurements representing a c. 400 ka time interval across the top of the Olduvai subchron. A phase‐shift between MS and weathering intensity recorded in the clay mineralogy indicates different response times of the considered proxies. The fluvial MS record is determined by the climatic control on delivery and preservation of magnetic minerals, mainly of magnetite. Under cold‐and‐dry climate these minerals were released owing to frost shattering in the adjacent hinterlands and were transported to alluvial plains in the early postglacial periods thanks to the increasing discharge of rivers. With further warming the weathering‐sensitive magnetic minerals soon disappeared from the soils of the catchment area and thus from the fluvial load. As a result, in fluvial successions early postglacial warmings are expressed by the occurrences of MS maxima (magnetic episodes), while the palaeotemperature maximum and the subsequent cooling remain concealed within the tract of low MS values. The early postglacial magnetic episodes may serve as ideal stratigraphical markers in regional and global correlations.     

Correlation of Triassic advanced rifting-related Neotethyan submarine basaltic volcanism of the Darnó Unit (NE-Hungary) with some Dinaridic and Hellenidic occurrences on the basis of volcanological, fluid–rock interaction, and geochemical characteristics

Comparative volcanological, mineralogical, petrological, and geochemical studies of blocks of Triassic submarine basalt occurrences hosted by the Jurassic mélange have been carried out. The studied localities are located in displaced parts of the Dinarides in NE-Hungary (Darnó Unit), in the Dinarides (Kalnik Mts., Croatia and Vare?-Smreka, Bosnia and Herzegovina), and in the Hellenides (Stragopetra, Greece). The common characteristic of the studied occurrences is the well observable result of the lava–water-saturated sediment mingling, i.e., the presence of the so-called carbonate peperitic facies. Mixing of the basaltic lava with pelagic lime mud (representing the unconsolidated stage of the red, micritic limestone), as well as fluid inclusion and chlorite thermometry data support that the carbonate peperite was formed above CCD and at the Bosnian locality, a shallower water, about 1.4?km depth is proven. The igneous rocks show mainly within-plate basalt geochemical characteristics; MORB signatures are not common. Low temperature (<200°C) hydrothermal alteration is characteristic to the pillow basalt blocks with peperitic facies. The similarities in the volcanological, geochemical, and textural characteristics observed at the different localities support a strong genetic connection among them. The results of this study suggest to the advanced rifting stage origin of the Triassic basaltic suits and their distinction from the true oceanic basalt pillow units of the Dinarides can be based on the occurrences of the peperite facies.     

Multi-stage hydrothermal processes involved in “low-sulfide” Cu(–Ni)–PGE mineralization in the footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (Canada): Amy Lake PGE zone, East Range

The Amy Lake PGE zone is a “low-sulfide-type” Cu-(Ni-)PGE mineralization in the East Range footwall of the 1.85 Ga Sudbury Igneous Complex occurring in a 100-m-wide Sudbury Breccia belt that coincides with an impact-related major fracture zone (Bay Fault zone). Detailed hydrothermal alteration mapping, fluid inclusion, trace element, and stable isotope studies revealed a complex alteration and mineralization history in a multi-source, multi-stage Sudbury-related hydrothermal system. The two major stages of syn-Sudbury hydrothermal activity are characterized by similarly high-salinity, high-temperature fluids that are (1) locally derived from footwall granophyre bodies, and typified with high Ni/Cu and PGE/S ratios and high REE contents (magmatic–hydrothermal stage), and (2) a more voluminous Cu–Ni–PGE-rich fluid flux probably originated from the Sudbury Igneous Complex/footwall contact (hydrothermal stage). The second hydrothermal flux was introduced by brittle fractures in the area and resulted in a complex zonation of alteration assemblages and mineralization governed by local footwall composition. The Sudbury-related hydrothermal event was overprinted by shear-related epidote veining and calcite–chlorite replacement, both regionally present in the Sudbury structure. Based on analogies, the most important factors involved in the formation of hydrothermal low-sulfide mineralization are proposed to be (1) accumulation of PGE-enriched fluids, (2) large-scale brittle structures as conduits to these fluids, and (3) adequate host rock composition as a chemical trap resulting in sulfide and PGM precipitation. In environments meeting these criteria, hydrothermal PGE mineralization is known to have formed not only in the Sudbury footwall but also from mafic–ultramafic intrusions associated with primary magmatic PGE from several locations around the world.     

Cryogenic powderization of Triassic dolostones in the Buda Hills, Hungary

Disintegration of dolostones to dolomite powder (powderization) was a widespread phenomenon in Triassic dolostones of the Buda Hills, where the areal extent of powdered dolostones is large compared to similar occurrences elsewhere in the world. In the Buda Hills, dolostone disintegration proceeded in four stages that correspond to a gradual decrease in particle size, that is, from the parent dolostone to (1) crackle breccia; via (2) mosaic breccia (diameter <2 cm); via (3) mosaic breccia blocks ‘floating’ in dolomite powder; to (4) dolomite powder (diameter 100–300 μm). Stable isotope ratios and trace element compositions of dolomite remained constant throughout these stages, and there are no indications of dissolution in most locations, suggesting that disintegration was predominantly a mechanical process. Combining these findings with the geological history of the region, and supported by a simple freezing/thawing experiment and pertinent experimental studies on weathering of building stones, it appears that powderization in the Buda Hills was caused by repeated freeze–thaw cycles during and/or after the Pleistocene glaciations. Subaerial exposure under cold climate conditions involves multiple freeze–thaw cycles that create mechanical stresses in the rock framework related to the opposing thermal expansion of rock and water that freezes and of ice that liquefies. This process is herewith called ‘cryogenic powderization’. Our data further suggest that the synergy of four factors promoted dolostone powderization in the Buda Hills: (1) tectonics, which created a pervasive fracture network; (2) intercrystalline porosity of the dolostone; (3) relatively high water saturation; and (4) subaerial exposure under cold climate conditions.     

Waste rock dump investigation at Roşia Montană gold mine (Romania): a geostatistical approach

Ro?ia Montan?, the largest European gold mine, could be re-opened. Environmental problems led to severe pollution of the Ro?ia and Abrud Rivers. The two main potentially toxic element (PTE) sources in mine sites are, in general, the abandoned underground workings and the piles of waste rock. Since the composition of waste rocks is often heterogeneous, this study faces the problem of estimating their mineralogical and chemical features starting from a set of sampling point. Twenty-five samples were collected on the main waste dump of the Ro?ia Montan? mine following a virtual squared grid (knots distance about 25 m). Grain size, color, bulk chemistry, mineralogy, acid mine drainage potential and a set of selected PTE (Ag, As, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations were determined on each sample. In a first approximation two main waste rock groups were identified: WR1 bulk composition is dacite-dominated, while WR2 is andesite-dominated. In both of them the concentrations of PTEs are below the regulatory limits for soils, with the exception of As. In terms of acid mine drainage, WR1 has a net acid-producing potential, while WR2 has a net neutralizing potential. The anisotropy of WR properties were analysed by means of semi-variograms and displayed with contour maps. Application of positive matrix factorization for the analysis of all the data relative to waste rocks allowed defining, in a semi-quantitative way, the factors controlling pollution and their spatial distribution. The processing of score matrix G factor associated with the geostatistical elaboration promises to be a powerful tool to discern the composition of mine dumps and support the exploitation and remediation phases.     

Sampling and mapping of heterogeneous surfaces: multi-resolution tiling adjusted to spatial variability

Abstract

Mapping by sampling and prediction of local and regional values of two-dimensional surfaces is a frequent, complex task in geographical information systems. This article describes a method for the approximation of two-dimensional surfaces by optimizing sample size, arrangement and prediction accuracy simultaneously. First, a grid of an ancillary data set is approximated by a quadtree to determine a predefined number of homogeneous mapping units. This approximation is optimal in the sense of minimizing Kullback-divergence between the quadtree and the grid of ancillary data. Then, samples are taken from each mapping unit. The performance of this sampling has been tested against other sampling strategies (regular and random) and found to be superior in reconstructing the grid using three interpolation techniques (inverse squared Euclidean distance, kriging, and Thiessen-polygonization). Finally, the discrepancy between the ancillary grid and the surface to be mapped is modelled by different levels and spatial structures of noise. Conceptually this method is advantageous in cases when sampling strata cannot be well defined a priori and the spatial structure of the phenomenon to be mapped is not known, but ancillary information (e.g., remotely-sensed data), corresponding to its spatial pattern, is available.