Sedimeitfology,geochemistry and discriminant analysis in the engineering geological investigation of damsites,Lower Gordon Area,Tasmania

Application of sedimentological, geochemical and discriminant analysis techniques to the engineering geological investigation of damsites assists in understanding the variation of rock types, stratal correlation, porosity, folding and faulting, through studying the history of depositional and diagenetic environments.

Factor analysis (Rao & Naqvi, 1977) resulted in the proposal of a tidal depositional model consisting of subtidal, shoal, bar, intertidal and supratidal carbonate environments, and channels and dune‐and‐flat terrigenous environments. Discriminant analysis has now been employed to extend the paleo‐environmental model laterally. Samples (142) from four new drill holes were examined, and the data compared with the earlier data by a discriminant analysis technique. The results confirm our pre‐existing model of a prograding tidal complex.

Regional correlation of depositional environments of strata shows an anticlinal structure. Faulting in the sequence is indicated by secondary dolomitisation, breccia‐tion and stfatal discontinuities. The secondary dolomites replaced both limestones and sandstones in the sequence. The amount of porosity is related to depositional facies and dolomitisation. It is possible to understand the hydrologic regime with the aid of regional structure, depositional and diagenetic facies, and porosity.

Because this factor and discriminant analysis technique intensively uses information from each length of drill core, the possibility exists of more confident interpretation of new data from less extensive drilling, with consequent saving in cost.     

Oxygen and carbon isotope composition of Gordon Group carbonates (Ordovician), Florentine Valley,Tasmania, Australia

The Gordon Group carbonates consist of biota of the Chlorozoan assemblage, diverse non‐skeletal grains and abundant micrite and dolomite, similar to those of modern warm water carbonates. Cathodoluminescence studies indicate marine, meteoric and some burial cements. Dolomites replacing burrows, mudcracks and micrite formed during early diagenesis.

δ¹⁸O values (‐5 to ‐7%ō PDB) of the non‐luminescent fauna and marine cement are lighter than those of modern counterparts but are similar to those existing within low latitudes during the Ordovician because of the light δ¹⁸O values of Ordovician seawater (‐3 to ‐5%o SMOW). The δ¹⁸O difference (2%o) between marine and meteoric calcite indicates that Ordovician meteoric water was similar to that in modern subtropics. Values of δ¹³C relative to δ¹⁸O indicate that during the Early Ordovician there were higher atmospheric CO₂ levels than at present but during the Middle and Late Ordovician they became comparable with the present because of a change from ‘Greenhouse’ to glacial conditions. δ¹⁸O values of Late Ordovician seawater were heavier than in the Middle Ordovician mainly because of glaciation.

Dolomitization took place in marine to mixed‐marine waters while the original calcium carbonate was undergoing marine to meteoric diagenesis.     

Paleoclimate of some Permo-Triassic carbonates of Malaysia

Four hundred thin-sections of Permian (Chuping and Summalayang Limestones) and Triassic (Kodiang Limestone) carbonates of Malaysia were studied, mainly to interpret probable climatic zones during their formation.

Chuping Limestone is rich in skeletal grains and intraclasts formed in shallow, high-energy environments. Original mineralogy of skeletal grains and early diagenetic cements were chiefly calcites with some aragonite. The faunal assemblage is similar to that of subpolar carbonates. The brachiopods are characterized by heavy δ¹³C and light δ¹⁸O and these values lie in the same field as an Early Permian fauna from eastern Australia. The δ¹⁸O values of fauna show unrealistic temperatures because the fauna has equilibrated with melt waters. However, calculated original δ¹⁸O values of the fauna from δ¹³C indicate temperatures ranging from 2 to 13°C with δ_w of +1.2. These features reflect cool-temperate (to ?subpolar) conditions.

Summalayang Limestone is rich in fusulinids and was deposited in bar to shelf environments. Fusulinids are often filled with fine, equigranular sparry calcite. Early diagenetic origin of these cements is indicated by erosion of cements during transportation and also by the cross-cutting relationship of veins with cements. These cements were originally Mg calcites. The foramol faunal assemblage, and predominantly Mg calcite mineralogy of both fauna and cements, reflect temperate climate.

Kodiang Limestone was deposited in peritidal environments. This limestone formation has all the characteristic features of modern, warm, tropical carbonates such as chlorozoan assemblage, diverse non-skeletal grains, abundant early diagenetic dolomites and predominance of aragonitic fauna, non-skeletal grains and cements.

The formation of temperate carbonates during the Permian suggests that Malaysia was probably part of Gondwanaland.     

Appraisal of zones of potential groundwater based on Photo-Geomorphic Study in Semi-Arid tract of Visakhapatnam District,Andhra Pradesh

Photo-geomorphic and hydrogeological studies over an area of 2020 sq km in the semi-arid tract of Visakhapatnam district, have enabled in identifying five zones of potential groundwater/hydromorphic units. Fluvial plain has the highest hydromorphic potential with a weight point score of 25, and coastal plain has poor to very poor potential with a score of 12. Wash plain, rolling/sandy plain, and piedmont plain have good to moderate to poor potential with scores of 20, 17 and 14 respectively. Geophysical surveys and the drilling of exploratory borewells along fractures/fracture traces and abandoned channels, revealed the existence of deep weathered and fractured zones capable of yielding large quantities of water.     

Cementation in cold-water bryozoan sand, Tasmania, Australia

Cold-water (<3–11°C) carbonate is the predominant sediment on the Tasmanian shelf. Calcitic skeletal grains (bryozoa, foraminifera, echinoderms, etc.) predominate over aragonitic (gastropods, etc.) ones. Non-skeletal grains are mostly micritic intraclasts with some pellets.

Fibrous spherulitic and rhombohedral calcite submarine cements range up to 90% in the bryozoan sand. X-ray analyses show that the bryozoan sand is characterized by a spectrum of calcites (low to high magnesian) and some aragonite.

A uniform spread of Mg concentrations from 0.06 to 2.48 wt.% indicates <3–10°C ambient water temperatures. The Mn (10–360 ppm) and Fe (176–2499 ppm) concentrations increase with increasing Mg values due to the formation of impure CaCO₃ phases. The Sr content in bryozoan sand (bryozoa = 3200 ppm Sr) decreases with increasing rhombohedral calcite cement, as low Mg-calcite precipitating from 3° C sea water would have 1350 ppm Sr. The bryozoan sand grains with fibrous spherulitic calcite cements have high Sr concentrations (4470–7000 ppm), in the same range as in aragonitic (detected only by X-ray analyses) bryozoan sand grains. The spherulitic calcite cements are either pseudomorphs after original aragonite cements or these calcite cements and aragonite were inverted from fibrous spherulitic vaterite, a predominant CaCO₃ polymorph at temperatures <10°C.     

Tomographic approach for gas hydrate investigation in Kerala-Konkan region,India

Seismic tomography is an effective means of estimating velocity and structure from multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection data. In this study we have followed a 2D approach to arrive at the probable velocity field configuration from multichannel seismic data and infer the presence of gas hydrates/free-gas in the offshore Kerala-Konkan region, along the eastern part of a seismic line on which a bottom simulating reflector (BSR) has previously been identified. Tomographic modeling consists of the identification of reflection phases and picking of respective travel times for various source-receiver positions. These picks were then utilized to arrive at a 2D velocity field following a forward and inversion approach using a ray tracing technique. The modeling for the first time brought out the finer scale velocity structure under the region of investigation. Modeling through the 2D approach shows lateral variation in velocity field along the studied segment of the seismic line. The results indicate a thin (∼50–60 m) sedimentary cover with velocity ranging from 1,770 to 1,850 m/s. A sedimentary layer with high P-wave velocity 1,980–2,100 m/s below the sea floor was interpreted as the hydrate layer. The thickness of this layer varies between 110 and 140 m. The hydrate layer is underlain by a low-velocity layer having velocities in the range 1,660–1,720 m/s. This low velocity may represent a free gas layer, whose thickness varies between 50 and 100 m located below the hydrated layer. The investigation suggests the occurrence of gas hydrate underlain by free gas in some parts of the Kerala-Konkan offshore region.     

Mineralogical variations in the unconsolidated sediments of El Qasr reef, north of Jeddah, west coast of Saudi Arabia

Carbonate mineralogy of El Qasr reef sediments, north of Jeddah on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, was studied by X-ray analysis. Although the mineralogical composition varies only little, there are significant differences in the proportions of aragonite and high Mg-calcite between the environments. Lagoon sediments, which contain relatively more fine-grained material, are characterized by higher aragonite concentrations than the reef flat sediments. Decreasing grain size and increasing aragonite contents towards the centre of the lagoon suggest a transport of aragonitic mud from the shallow reef flat to the lagoon. The amount of fine fraction and occasionally the nature of the coarse fraction rather than the sand-sized skeletal material controls the aragonite concentrations in the reef sediments. Low Mg-calcite, which occurs in minor quantities and is erratically distributed in the reef sediments, is derived from the Pleistocene coral limestone in the coastal plain. Aragonite abundances in the sediments may be considered to delineate lagoon and reef flat environments in a coral reef complex.     

Growth and decay of the Arabian Sea mini warm pool during May 2000: Observations and simulations

Oceanographic surveys were carried out in the southeastern Arabian Sea in two phases during 14–17 May and 23–27 May 2000 to study the evolution of the Arabian Sea mini warm pool. The hydrographic data collected during these experiments, satellite imagery of sea surface temperature for the corresponding period and ship drift data were utilized for this purpose. Both satellite and in situ observations indicated the presence of a mini warm pool up to 14 May and its dissipation thereafter. The Arabian Sea mini warm pool region was characterized by low-salinity Bay of Bengal water (<22 sigma-t). This watermass was advected into the southeastern Arabian Sea by the East India Coastal Current mainly during November–January and recirculated in this region in an anticyclonic eddy. Immediately after the dissipation of the mini warm pool, this watermass could not be traced in this region. Simulation of mini warm pool characteristics using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) agreed well with in situ and satellite observations. Moreover, the model showed strengthening of southerly currents in the warm pool region during its dissipation period, which caused the disappearance of the Bay of Bengal watermass. Specific experiments with the POM revealed the significance of heat flux components, low wind speed and salinity stratification in the formation and sustenance of the mini warm pool.     

The first and third asymptotic distributions of extremes as applied to the seismic source regions of India and adjacent areas

The seismic source regions are identified on the basis of spatial and temporal distributions of shocks (1900–1989), recurrence relations and the tectonic architecture of the Indian subcontinent and adjoining areas. The probable occurrence of the maximum magnitude earthquake is estimated using the theory of extreme values of Gumbel. The parameters of the first and third asymptotic distributions of extremes and their uncertainty values are computed for the seven identified seismic source regions of India and adjacent areas. The third-type distribution curve is preferable to the first type in all the regions, as revealed by the χ² test. The results of the third asymptotic distribution indicate the upper bound to earthquake magnitude w is equal to 8.94 ± 0.21 for Assam, 8.56 ± 0.29 for Bihar-Nepal, 8.43 ± 0.10 for Kangra, 8.97 ± 0.27 for Hindukush, 7.61 ± 0.24 for Pakistan-Cutch, 7.34 ± 0.12 for Koyna and 8.98 ± 0.27 for Andaman Sea seismic source regions. The predicted most probable largest earthquake magnitude is computed for return periods of 10, 20, 50, 75 and 100 yr in each source region.