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.     

Mid-Holocene vertebrate bone Concentration-Lagerstätte on oceanic island Mauritius provides a window into the ecosystem of the dodo (Raphus cucullatus)

Although the recent history of human colonisation and impact on Mauritius is well documented, virtually no records of the pre-human native ecosystem exist, making it difficult to assess the magnitude of the changes brought about by human settlement. Here, we describe a 4000-year-old fossil bed at Mare aux Songes (MAS) in south-eastern Mauritius that contains both macrofossils (vertebrate fauna, gastropods, insects and flora) and microfossils (diatoms, pollen, spores and phytoliths). With >250 bone fragments/m² and comprising 50% of all known extinct and extant vertebrate species (n_s = 44) of Mauritius, MAS may constitute the first Holocene vertebrate bone Concentration-Lagerstätte identified on an oceanic volcanic island. Fossil remains are dominated by extinct giant tortoises Cylindraspis spp. (63%), passerines (～10%), small bats (7.8%) and dodo Raphus cucullatus (7.1%). Twelve radiocarbon ages [four of them duplicates] from bones and other material suggest that accumulation of fossils took place within several centuries. An exceptional combination of abiotic conditions led to preservation of bones, bone collagen, plant tissue and microfossils. Although bone collagen is well preserved, DNA from dodo and other Mauritian vertebrates has proved difficult. Our analysis suggests that from ca 4000 years ago (4 ka), rising sea levels created a freshwater lake at MAS, generating an oasis in an otherwise dry environment which attracted a diverse vertebrate fauna. Subsequent aridification in the south-west Indian Ocean region may have increased carcass accumulation during droughts, contributing to the exceptionally high fossil concentration. The abundance of floral and faunal remains in this Lagerstätte offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct a pre-human ecosystem on an oceanic island, providing a key foundation for assessing the vulnerability of island ecosystems to human impact.     

An “Olympic” framework for a green decommissioning of an offshore oil platform

Oil and gas offshore platform and installations have a limited life of operations. When oil runs out, many terms are used to describe the situation: abandonment, removal, disposal, decommissioning, etc. Even the issue of decommissioning is now at the forefront of deep water oil drilling for many reason (the enormous costs required for disposal, the increasing number of rigs which required removal, the need to protect the marine environment, legal frameworks), there are very few published researchers studying the problem according to its different facets (legal, environmental, economical etc.). In this paper, we apply the concept of “Olympic” supply chain developed by Lakhal et al. Lakhal, SY, H'Mida S, Islam R. Green Supply Chain parameters for a Canadian Petroleum Refinery Company. International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, IJETM 2007:7;56–67. to provide feedback for life-cycle offshore platforms. Our approach starts from platform development projects environmentally, exploit it in the respect of the environment and have an efficient decommissioning project.     

Exploration of copper deposits in Wadi El Regeita area, Southern Sinai, Egypt, with contribution of remote sensing and geophysical data

Three types of hydrothermal alterations are recorded in Wadi El Regeita area, argillic, phyllic, and propylitic. Whole-rock analysis of representative samples of the alteration halo (1) shows a Cu, Au, and Ag content up to 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 g/t, and 4 g/t, respectively; in the alteration halo (2), these metal contents are up to 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 g/t, and 3 g/t, following the same order. The integrated remote sensing and geophysical data, as well as geological field verification, show that Wadi El Regeita area includes promising Cu ores within two hydrothermal alteration haloes. Spatial data analyses of lineaments from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) band ratio image (7/5, 5/4, 3/1) reveal the presence of alteration haloes that potentially may host Cu mineralization at south and north of El Regita Cu mine. Gravity interpretation indicates that the surveyed area is dissected by NE–SW fault zones in the central part, near Wadi El Regeita Cu mine. Ground magnetic survey data revealed that the surveyed area includes six magnetic bodies at depths ranging from 32 to 90 m, possibly recording the presence of mineralized and hydrothermally altered andesitic dykes. The half length of these dykes ranges from 600 to 1,070 m; their half thickness from 30 to 123 m and their half width from 48 to 531 m. Dyke locations coincide with surface alteration haloes (1) and (2) as indicated by the ETM band ratio image processing. The final assessment of the area, however, needs more detailed geological and geophysical studies with contributions of remote sensing techniques.     

Properties of geothermal resources in Kebilli region, Southwestern Tunisia

The Kebilli region is located in the Southwestern part of Tunisia, and is characterized by the presence of deep and shallow geothermal systems (continental intercalary and complex terminal). Chemical and isotopic contents are used to classify the type and determine the origin of thermal water. An evaluation of reservoir temperature and a possible geothermal fluid mixing are also carried out. Both continental intercalary-deep aquifer and complex terminal-shallow aquifer are of Na–(Ca)–Cl–(SO₄) mixed water type. The use of different geothermometers and the computation of saturation indexes for different solid phases suggests that the thermal reservoir temperature of the continental intercalary is between 92 and 105 °C, while the fluid temperature from the shallow complex terminal aquifer ranges from 50 to 75 °C. Also, the isotopic data indicates the old origin of all groundwater of Southwestern Tunisia. Mixing effects characterizing the continental intercalary and the complex terminal aquifers were identified using δ²H and δ¹⁸O relationship. It appears that the upward movement of thermal water from the deep aquifer to shallow ones is probably due to the abundant fractures in the research area.     

Implementation and evaluation of multivariate analysis for groundwater hydrochemistry assessment in arid environments: a case study of Hajeb Elyoun–Jelma, Central Tunisia

In most arid zones, groundwater (GW) is the major source of domestic, agriculture, drinking, and industrial water. Accordingly, the monitoring of its quality by different techniques and tools is a vital issue. The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the combination of principal components analysis (PCA) and geostatistics as a technique for (1) identifying the processes affecting the groundwater chemistry of the detrital unconfined Middle Miocene Aquifer (MMA) of the Hajeb elyoun Jelma (HJ) aquifer (Tunisia) and (2) mapping the controlling variables for groundwater quality. This work is based on a limited database recorded in 22 wells tapping the aquifer and unequally distributed in the field. The proposed approach is carried out in two steps. In the first step, the application of PCA revealed that rock–water interaction, agriculture irrigation and domestic effluents could explain 85 % of the observed variability of the chemical GW quality of the MMA. As a result, two new variables are defined: V1 (rock–water interaction influence) and V2 (irrigation and domestic effluent influence). In the second step, the spatial variability of these variables over the extent of the MMA is mapped by applying a kriging interpolation technique. The results of this study suggest that, while both natural and anthropogenic processes contribute to the GW quality of the MMA, natural impacts can be considered as the most important.     

Use of temperature profiles and stable isotopes to trace flow lines: Nagaoka area, Japan

In this study, we use borehole temperature data and stable isotopes to delineate the flow system and estimate the effect of urbanization in the Nagaoka area of Japan. Temperature profiles were measured four times in observation wells during the period 2000-2001 and compared with those measured in the same wells during the period 1977-1983 (Taniguchi 1986). Water was sampled in both observation and pumping wells during the same period. The temporal and spatial variability in temperature indicate clearly the effect of urban warming and heavy pumping on the ground water system. Urban warming caused higher temperatures recently as compared to the older values, and pumping caused induced recharge from the river to the ground water. The stable isotope data show the ground water flow system is divided into shallow, intermediate, and deep systems, and that land use and infiltration rate are affecting the shallow flow system.     

A dripper-TDR method for in situ determination of hydraulic conductivity and chemical transport properties of surface soils

Field determined hydraulic and chemical transport properties can be useful for the protection of groundwater resources from land-applied chemicals. Most field methods to determine flow and transport parameters are either time or energy consuming and/or they provide a single measurement for a given time period. In this study, we present a dripper-TDR field method that allows measurement of hydraulic conductivity and chemical transport parameters at multiple field locations within a short time period. Specifically, the dripper-TDR determines saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s), macroscopic capillary length (λ_c), immobile water fraction (θ_im/θ), mass exchange coefficient (α) and dispersion coefficient (D_m). Multiple dripper lines were positioned over five crop rows in a field. Background and step solutions were applied through drippers to determine surface hydraulic conductivity parameters at 44 locations and surface transport properties at 38 locations. The hydraulic conductivity parameters (K_s, λ_c) were determined by application of three discharge rates from the drippers and measurements of the resultant steady-state flux densities at the soil surface beneath each dripper. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) was used to measure the bulk electrical conductivity of the soil during steady infiltration of a salt solution. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) for all sites were determined from the TDR measurements. The K_s and λ_c values were found to be lognormally distributed with average values of 31.4 cm h⁻¹ and 6.0 cm, respectively. BTC analysis produced chemical properties, θ_im/θ, α, and D_m with average values of 0.23, 0.0036 h⁻¹, and 1220 cm² h⁻¹, respectively. The estimated values of the flow and transport parameters were found to be within the ranges of values reported by previous studies conducted at nearby field locations. The dripper TDR method is a rapid and useful technique for in situ measurements of hydraulic conductivity and solute transport properties. The measurements reported in this study give clear evidence to the occurrence of non-equilibrium water and chemical movement in surface soil. The method allows for quantification of non-equilibrium model parameters and preferential flow. Quantifying the parameters is a necessary step toward determining the influences of surface properties on infiltration, runoff, and vadose zone transport.     

Analytic signal approach and its applicability in environmental magnetic investigations

We investigate the analytic signal method and its applicability in obtaining source locations of compact environmental magnetic objects. Previous investigations have shown that, for two-dimensional magnetic sources, the shape and location of the maxima of the amplitude of the analytic signal (AAS) are independent of the magnetization direction. In this study, we show that the shape of the AAS over magnetic dipole or sphere source is dependent on the direction of magnetization and, consequently, the maxima of the AAS are not always located directly over the dipolar sources. Maximum shift in the horizontal location is obtained for magnetic inclination of 30°. The shifts of the maxima are a function of the source-to-observation distance and they can be up to 30% of the distance. We also present a method of estimating the depths of compact magnetic objects based on the ratio of the AAS of the magnetic anomaly to the AAS of the vertical gradient of the magnetic anomaly. The estimated depths are independent of the magnetization direction. With the help of magnetic anomalies over environmental targets of buried steel drums, we show that the depths can be reliably estimated in most cases. Therefore, the analytic signal approach can be useful in estimating source locations of compact magnetic objects. However, horizontal locations of the targets derived from the maximum values of the AAS must be verified using other techniques.     

Impacts of wastewater irrigation in arid and semi arid regions: case of Sidi Abid region,Tunisia

Impacts of irrigation with treated wastewater effluents on soils and groundwater aquifer in the vicinity of Sidi Abid Region (Tunisia) are evaluated. The groundwater aquifer was monitored by several piezometers, where monthly water levels were registered and groundwater salinity was evaluated. This resulted in characterizing the spatial and temporal evolution of the hydrochemical and hydrodynamic properties of the aquifer, showing thereby the impact of artificial recharge. Piezometric maps for pre-recharge and post-recharge situations were developed and a comparison study of both piezometric situations was considered. The piezometric evolution map showed a generalized rise of the piezometric level in the vicinity of the irrigation zone. The extent of recharge was shown to increase with time as the groundwater level increase, which was localized in the vicinity of the irrigation area, reached more extended zones. Several groundwater samples were withdrawn from wells and piezometers and analyzed. Examining the corresponding physical and chemical parameters showed an increase in the concentrations of nutrients (28 mg/l for NO₃ and 3.97 mg/l for NH₄) in the groundwater aquifer below the irrigation zone, which confirms again the infiltration of treated wastewater effluents. The evolution of soil salinity was examined through chemical analysis of soil samples. Electric conductivities of soils were generally shown to be less than 4 mS/cm while the irrigation water has an electric conductivity that may reach 6.63 mS/cm. This might be explained by the phenomenon of dilution and the capacity of soils to evacuate salts downward.