Depth and structural index from normalized local wavenumber of 2D magnetic anomalies

Recent improvements in the local wavenumber approach have made it possible to estimate both the depth and model type of buried bodies from magnetic data. However, these improvements require calculation of third‐order derivatives of the magnetic field, which greatly enhances noise. As a result, the improvements are restricted to data of high quality. We present an alternative method to estimate both the depth and model type using the first‐order local wavenumber approach without the need for third‐order derivatives of the field. Our method is based on normalization of the first‐order local wavenumber anomalies and provides a generalized equation to estimate the depth of some 2D magnetic sources regardless of the source structure. Information about the nature of the sources is obtained after the source location has been estimated. The method was tested using synthetic magnetic anomaly data with random noise and using three field examples.     

An enhanced method for source parameter imaging of magnetic data collected for mineral exploration

We have developed a method for imaging magnetic data collected for mineral exploration to yield the following structural information: depth, model type (structural index) and susceptibility. The active nature of mineral exploration data requires we derive the structural information from a robust quantity: we propose that the first‐ or second‐order analytic‐signal amplitude is suitably stable. The procedure is to normalize the analytic‐signal amplitude by the peak value and then use non‐linear inversion to estimate the depth and the structural index for each anomaly. In our field example, different results are obtained depending on whether we inverted for the first‐ or second‐order analytic‐signal amplitude. This is probably because the two‐dimensional contact, thin sheet or horizontal cylinder models we have assumed are not appropriate. In cases such as these, when our model assumptions are not correct, the results should not be interpreted quantitatively, but they might be useful for giving a qualitative indication of how the structure might vary. With a priori information, it is possible to assume a model type (i.e. set the structural index) and generate estimates of the depth and susceptibility. These data can then be gridded and imaged. If a contact is assumed, the susceptibility contrast is estimated; for the dike model, the susceptibility‐thickness is estimated; for the horizontal cylinder, the susceptibility‐area is estimated. To emphasize that the results are dependent on our assumed model, we advocate prefixing any derived quantity by the term ‘apparent’.     

Évaluation de la qualité de l'eau par application de la méthode géoélectrique : exemple de la plaine d'El Mida–Gabes nord (Sud tunisien)

The Mida plain, which is part of the North Gabès region (southern Tunisia), is characterized by the deep sandy units of the ‘Continental intercalaire’ (CI) or the limestone of the Lower Senonian. A geophysical survey, by electrical sounding (ES), was undertaken in the studied region to better characterize the deep geological structure of this plain and therefore its aquifer resources potential. The analysis of the results shows that the prospected zone is characterized by the succession of several levels with contrasted resistivities, which are often affected by faults. Among these observed geoelectrical levels, the highly conductor one could host a saline aquifer. Another geoelectrical level corresponding to the resistant bedrock detected at Oudhref horst can contain better-quality water than that of the aquifer detected in the El Mida Graben. In this work, we tried to explain the origin of the salinity of this aquifer. Thus, we hypothesise about a contamination from Jebel Zemlet El Beida through a border fault and another one from the Sebkhet El Hamma. To cite this article: A. Mhamdi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Latitudinal distribution of the solar wind properties in the low- and high-pressure regimes: Wind observations

The solar wind properties depend on , the heliomagnetic latitude with respect to the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), more than on the heliographic latitude. We analyse the wind properties observed by Wind at 1 AU during about 2.5 solar rotations in 1995, a period close to the last minimum of solar activity. To determine , we use a model of the HCS which we fit to the magnetic sector boundary crossings observed by Wind. We find that the solar wind properties mainly depend on the modulus ||. But they also depend on a local parameter, the total pressure (magnetic pressure plus electron and proton thermal pressure). Furthermore, whatever the total pressure, we observe that the plasma properties also depend on the time: the latitudinal gradients of the wind speed and of the proton temperature are not the same before and after the closest HCS crossing. This is a consequence of the dynamical stream interactions. In the low pressure wind, at low ||, we find a clear maximum of the density, a clear minimum of the wind speed and of the proton temperature, a weak minimum of the average magnetic field strength, a weak maximum of the average thermal pressure, and a weak maximum of the average factor. This overdense sheet is embedded in a density halo. The latitudinal thickness is about 5° for the overdense sheet, and 20° for the density halo. The HCS is thus wrapped in an overdense sheet surrounded by a halo, even in the non-compressed solar wind. In the high-pressure wind, the plasma properties are less well ordered as functions of the latitude than in the low-pressure wind; the minimum of the average speed is seen before the HCS crossing. The latitudinal thickness of the high-pressure region is about 20°. Our observations are qualitatively consistent with the numerical model of Pizzo for the deformation of the heliospheric current sheet and plasma sheet.     

Morphological evolution of center Boumerdes in Zemmouri Bay (Algeria) from 1922 to 2017

The morphological evolution of shallows seabed has undergone great changes over the past 95 years. These changes have not only led to the decreases of water volume but also to the spatial variability of sediments. However, the distribution and the movement of marine sediments from underwater beaches are very complex due to the combination of several factors such as hydrodynamic factors (e.g., tidal currents ±?34 cm, swells and currents driven by the prevailing northeast wind), and entropic factors (e.g., soil occupation and protective installation of structures as breakwater, groynes, retaining wall). This situation can disrupt the sedimentary regime in the Boumerdes area. In order to better understand the hydrodynamic processes, the recognition of sedimentary processes, the modalities, and erosion mechanisms of this zone are necessary. Thus, the study of long-term underwater morphological evolution by comparing between the bathymetric surveys of different years, between 1922 and 2017, is required to study the feasibility of coastal engineering projects. The seabed bathymetric evolution of this coastal fringe from erosion point of view was appreciated. It is based on a geographic information system (GIS), which allows to carry out a digital depth model interpolated by kriging method.     

Site selection for managed aquifer recharge in the city of Kabul,Afghanistan, using a multi-criteria decision analysis and geographic information system

Hydrogeology Journal - While the success and sustainability of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strongly depends on many characteristics of the site, it is necessary to integrate the site...     

埃及Faiyum盆地沉积物中粒度和磁化率对风沙活动的指示意义

埃及Faiyum盆地是尼罗河下游的泛滥平原,沉积物主要来自尼罗河和撒哈拉沙漠.本文通过对钻孔FYAM(孔深4.6m)沉积物的粒度、磁化率的分析,并结合石英形态、石膏和碳酸盐含量分析,旨在寻找Faiyum盆地沉积物中代表风沙活动的粒度、磁化率特征.研究结果显示,钻孔沉积物中共发现7种粒度频率曲线类型,主要为细粒组(6-2...     

Linking diagenesis to sequence stratigraphy in fluvial and shallow marine sandstones: Evidence from the Cambrian-Ordovician lower sandstone unit in southwestern Sinai, Egypt

By integrating diagenesis and sequence stratigraphy, the distribution of diagenetic alterations and their impact on reservoir quality was investigated within a sequence stratigraphic framework using the fluvial and shallow marine sandstones in the Cambrian-Ordovician succession of southwest Sinai. The perographic and geochemical analysis of the studied sandstone revealed that the eogenetic alterations display fairly systematic spatial and temporal distribution patterns within the lowstand system tract and transgressive system tract, as well as along the sequence stratigraphic surfaces (i.e., sequence boundaries, transgressive surfaces and parasequence boundaries). During relative sea-level fall, percolation of meteoric waters through sandstones of the LST and below sequence and parasequence boundaries resulted in extensive dissolution of detrital grains and formation of kaolinite, authigenic K-feldspar and feldspar overgrowths as well as formation of mechanical infiltrated clays around the detrital grains. During relative sea-level rise, invasion of marine water into the sandstones as a consequence of landward migration of the shoreline, as well as low sedimentation rates encountered in the TST, resulted in the formation of glauconite, apatite and pyrite. Development of pseudomatrix, which was formed by mechanical compaction of mud intraclasts, is mostly abundant along transgressive surfaces and parasequence boundaries of the TST, and is related to the abundance of mud intraclasts in the transgressive lag deposits.The types and extent of eogenetic alterations have an important impact on the distribution of the mesogenetic alterations, including the formation of quartz overgrowths and dickite.Distribution of mesogenetic quartz overgrowths in the sandstones was controlled by the distribution of mechanically infiltrated clays and the presence of eogenetic cement. Sandstones that remained poorly cemented during eodiagenesis and that have thin or discontinuous infiltrated clay rims around the detrital grains were cemented during mesodiagenesis by quartz. The absence of extensive eogenetic cements in the sandstones suggested that the partial deterioration of porosity was mainly due to mechanical compaction. Partial transformation of kaolinite to dickite, which indicates neomorphic change to a better-ordered and more stable crystal structure at the elevated temperatures during mesodiagenesis, is partially a function of distribution of kaolinite during eodiagenesis.The conceptual model developed in this study shows the diagenetic evolutionary pathways in the reservoir sandstones within a sequence stratigraphic context, which in turn provides some insights into the controls on reservoir heterogeneity.     

Exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones at the Barramiya District,Central Eastern Desert of Egypt using ASTER data and geological studies

The use of ASTER data and fieldwork supported by mineralogical and geochemical analyses enabled exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones in the ultramafic–mafic successions at the Barramiya district. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) band ratios (4/8, 4/2 and 8/9 in R, G and B channels, respectively) helped in recognising of two listwaenite alteration zones (areas 1 and 2) promising for gold in the north-east and south-east of the Barramiya gold mine. Mineralogical studies and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that areas 1 and 2 are characterized by variable concentrations of talc, ankerite, magnesite, quartz and calcite. Ore microscope studies revealed the sulphide minerals carry gold within these alteration zones; moreover, goethite and malachite are also observed. Fire assay results show Au contents in the range of 5.04 ppm in the graphite schist, 4.02 ppm in the quartz veins and 3.76 ppm in the listwaenite alteration. The atomic absorption analysis (AAS) of samples from area 1 yields an average Au content in the quartz-veins of 2.4 ppm, Ag content is 8.0 ppm and Cu content is 2.4 wt%. The listwaenite alteration gives an average Au content of 4.4 ppm and a Cu content of 2.8 wt%. In area 2, the AAS of the quartz-veins revealed an average Au content of 2.6 ppm, 6.2 ppm Ag and 1.9 wt% Cu. The listwaenite alterations of area 2 grade 3.5 ppm Au and 2.4 wt% of Cu. The Barramiya District is made up of ophiolitic ultramafic belts of serpentinites, talc carbonates and talc graphite schists, mainly thrust over the metavolcanic sequences. They include highly strained and tectonised parts enriched in sulphides, iron oxides and carbonates, with developed listwaenite alterations along the thrust contacts. Gabbro and granitic intrusions were intruded in the ultramafics and metavolcanic rocks. ASTER data are an accurate and helpful tool for detecting and mapping alteration zones for gold exploration.