The first Lu–Hf zircon isotope data for gabbro–diorite–tonalite associations of the Urals

Doklady Earth Sciences - The Lu–Hf isotope systematics of zircon from the gabbro–plagiogranite association (gabbro, diorite, tonalite, and plagiogranite), which is one of the most...     

Rock slope stability and design in Arafat–Muzdalifa area,Saudi Arabia

The present contribution is a complete study extending before, during, and after the excavation of the mountain side that lying north of road 7. It includes slope stability analysis, rock cut design, and rockfall modeling for natural slope and rock cut face. Neoproterozoic granodiorite and biotite granite forming the slope body have medium to very high strengths. Mineral compositions and textures of these intact rocks control the strength values. These rocks are intensively dissected by fractures that are filled with montmorillonite and chlorite. The high plasticity and slippery nature of these filling materials represent the main problem that may face a rock cut designer because they damage the mechanical properties of these fractures. The problem begins with the selection of the rock mass classification that deals with the fracture fillings and extends during the stability analysis and the suggestion of mitigation and supporting measures. The rock masses building the natural slope are suffered by plane, wedge, and toppling failures. Therefore, two rock cut designs are suggested to avoid the hazards related to these failures and considering the construction cost as well. Rockfall modeling for the natural slope and rock cut designs was done to assess the hazards related to these falling of the blocks. The kinetic energy of falling blocks is represented on the roadway by the coverage distance and block rebound amplitude. Slope height has a positive effect on the values of these distance and amplitude, whereas the steepness of berm height has a negative effect on them. Coverage distance is a function to the location of rockfall barrier and to the width of road ditch, while the amplitude controls the barrier height.     

Lithologic mapping of Aja granitic batholiths,Ha’il,Saudi Arabia,using remote sensing

In this study, remote sensing, field and petrographic investigation were integrated for lithological mapping of different granitic masses in Aja complex of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. The Landsat-8 data were processed to spectrally discriminate variations within rock types using band combinations, band ratioing and principal component analysis (PCA) techniques. Results showed that band combination of the principal components could potentially distinguish the different rock units of Aja complex than any other transform. Field observations and petrographic identification were performed to validate remotely sensing data and to map different rock units. Alkali granites were accurately recorded on the peripheries of Aja Mountain. The present study demonstrates that remote sensing techniques could provide useful tools for mapping economic rock types, particularly in well-exposed arid regions.     

Sedimentology and facies analysis of Miocene mixed siliciclastic–carbonate deposits of the Dam Formation in Al Lidam area,eastern Saudi Arabia

The Burdigalian mixed siliciclastic–carbonate deposits of the Dam Formation are well-exposed in Al Lidam area, in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. They represent a shallow part of the Arabian plate continental margin. The Dam Formation is correlatable to the Miocene reservoirs in both Iran and Iraq. Therefore, studying the Dam Formation lithologic heterogeneity in a small distance with high resolution could help in further work related to pattern prediction of the Miocene reservoir properties. High-resolution sedimentological investigation was carried out through six outcrops. The facies parameters (lithology, sedimentary structures, main fossils, paleocurrent patterns and geometries of the sedimentary bodies) were described. The results revealed 15 lithofacies that have been further grouped into 7 lithofacies associations 5 of which are carbonates and include (1) interbedded dolostone and evaporates, (2) microbialite buildup, (3) ooid-dominated grainstones, (4) burrowed skeletal peloidal wackestone–packstone and (5) mollusc-dominated wackestone–packstone. The remaining two associations are of siliciclastics and include (6) intertidal siliciclastics and (7) wave-dominated siliciclastics. These lithofacies were interpreted to reflect deposition in a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate ramp system that includes subtidal, shoreface, intertidal, foreshore, supratidal and estuarine deposits in a shallowing-upward succession. Each one of these lithofacies association has distinct geometry and architecture pattern. Oolites and heterozoan lithofacies occur as sheets and show great continuity along the strike direction. Oolites pass laterally in the dip direction into more skeletal- and peloid-dominated zones, whereas heterozoan lithofacies stay continuous in the dip directions and change from siliciclastic to carbonate heterozones. In contrast, microbialite lithofacies lack continuous beds and occur as localised bioherms and biostroms. Channelised lithofacies are restricted laterally into isolated channel bodies and vertically in the contact boundary between siliciclastic and carbonate lithofacies, whereas the interbedded dolostone and evaporite lithofacies form distinct, relatively thick continuous layers. With continuous exposures in both strike (1.2 km) and dip (0.15 km) directions, the outcrops in the Al Lidam area provide unique opportunity to study the heterogeneity among lithofacies of the mixed siliciclastic–carbonate system of the Dam Formation. Such study may provide insights to predict occurrence and distribution of lithofacies bodies in their equivalent reservoirs which are important for reservoir characterisation.     

New data for geology and geochemistry of the Rodion gold–quartz deposit,northeastern Russia

This paper is focused on the new data for geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of stockworks consisting of steep and gentle quartz veins and veinlets forming a complex multilevel structure at the Rodion deposit. These stockworks range from 25 to 150 m in thickness. Average gold grade is 1.8 g/t. Ore minerals pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and native gold are predominantly concentrated on the vein and veinlet walls. Thermal metamorphism caused by the intrusion of the Ulakhan granodiorite pluton is the important singularity of the deposit. The deposit ore is enriched in chalcophile microelements Au, Ag, As, Sb, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Bi as compared to the average composition of the upper crust and hosting Permian sequences. The enrichment factors range from a few to hundreds of times. Bi, W, Pb, Ag, and Na₂O are positively correlated between each other and with Au. The highest correlation coefficient 0.59 is between Au and Bi. Au is negatively correlated with Ba, Li, Co, Ni, Mn, Ti, and Be. The stockwork ores were formed involving homogeneous low-saline (9.4–4.3 wt % NaCl equiv) substantially aqueous bicarbonate-chloride fluid at 275–330°C and 300–1840 bar fluid pressure. Fluid has a high concentration of CO₂ (up to 349 g/kg of water) and is reductive (СО₂/СН₄ = 17–37.3). Na and Ca are the major cations in the fluid, whereas K and Mg are minor. In addition, many microelements were detected in the fluid: As, Li, Rb, Cs, Mo, Ag, Sb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, U, Ga, Ge, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, V, Cr, Y, Zr, Sn, Ba, W, Au, Hg, and REE. The results obtained are consistent with the metamorphic–magmatic formation model of orogenic gold–quartz deposits within the Yana–Kolyma belt.     

Qualitative analysis and mapping of heavy metals in an abandoned Au–Ag mine area using NIR spectroscopy

Reflectance spectroscopy covering the visible and near-infrared ranges (400–2,400 nm) is known as a rapid and nondestructive method in the characterization and quantitative analysis of many components of interest. In this study, the potential use of spectral absorption feature parameters (SAFPs) in the range of 400–2,400 nm was investigated in terms of the prediction of heavy metals and mapping of their distribution. Parameters such as absorption depth, area, and peak ratio were derived from variations in spectral absorption shape associated with concentrations of heavy metals. Heavy metals were quantified from SAFPs using stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) and enter multiple linear regression (EMLR). The EMLR model showed qualitative prediction performance for As and Cu, with R ² values of 0.60 and 0.81, respectively. A contour map of As and Cu concentrations based on EMLR-derived values showed similar spatial patterns to a map based on measured values.     

Paleoecology and paleoenvironment of the Middle–Upper Jurassic sedimentary succession,central Saudi Arabia

Four Middle–Upper Jurassic sections from central Saudi Arabia have been investigated to evaluate microfacies types and macro-invertebrate paleocommunities and to interpret their paleoecology and paleoenvironments. The studied Jurassic successions are part of the Middle–Upper Callovian Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone and the Middle–Upper Oxfordian Hanifa Formation. Three main facies were recorded, including mud-supported microfacies, grain-supported microfacies and boundstones. A data matrix comprising 48 macrobenthic species in 35 samples collected from four sections were grouped into fifteen assemblages and one poorly fossiliferous interval by means of a Q-mode cluster analysis. The recorded macrofaunal assemblages have been subdivided into low-stress and high-stress on the basis of hydrodynamic conditions, substrate type, nutrient supply and hypoxia. The low-stress assemblages occur in (a) high-energy paleoenvironments with firm substrates; (b) high-energy shoals with unstable substrates of low cohesion and in (c) low-energy open marine environments with soft-substrates. The moderate- to high-stress assemblages occur in (a) oligotrophic environments with reduced terrigenous input in shelf lagoonal or in restricted inner ramp settings; (b) low-energy, soft substrate environments with hypoxia below the sediment–water interface; and, in (c) high-energy shoals and shelf lagoonal environments. The temporal distribution patterns of epifaunal and infaunal bivalve taxa are controlled by variations in water energy, substrate characteristics and productivity level. The reported litho- and biofacies confirmed that the Callovian Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone and the Oxfordian Hanifa Formation were deposited across wide spectrum of depositional environments, ranging from restricted lagoon to moderately deeper open marine basin, and providing the perfect conditions for macrofossils.     

Geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic composition of the Harrat Al-Madinah Volcanic Field,Saudi Arabia

Whole-rock geochemical and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data are presented for the Harrat Al-Madinah volcanic field, in the north western part of the Arabian plate, aiming to understand their origin and the composition of their mantle source. This area is an active volcanic field characterized by the occurrence of two historic eruptions approximately in 641 and 1256 A.D. Field investigation of the main volcanic landforms indicates dominantly monogenetic strombolian eruptions, in addition to local phreatomagmatic eruption style. The lavas consist mainly of alkali olivine basalt, olivine transitional basalt, and hawaiite with ocean island basalt (OIB)-like characteristics. Evolved rocks, represented by mugearites, benmoreites, and trachytes, occur mainly as domes, tuff cones and occasionally as lava flows. Chemical variations in the evolved rocks indicated their evolution by low pressure crystal fractionation of olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and Fe–Ti oxides from the relatively primitive basalts. The isotopic compositions of ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512954–0.512995), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.702899 to–0.702977) and Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.5515–18.7446, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.5120–15.5222, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.1347–38.4468), show restricted variations suggesting only minor crustal contamination. They defined an array consistent with mixing of two geochemically distinct components of depleted MORB-mantle (DMM) and high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb ratio (HIMU). The variations in Tb/Yb, La/Yb and Sm/Yb ratios in the relatively primitive basalts (MgO > 6 wt.%) indicated garnet peridotite source. However, the positive Nb, Sr, Ba and Ti anomalies in the primitive mantle-normalized incompatible element patterns and the significant variation between Zr/Nb vs. Ce/Y and La/Yb vs. Yb suggest contribution of an amphibole-bearing spinel lherzolite source. Moreover, the negative correlations between SiO₂ vs. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Th vs. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd are interpreted as an indication of mixing melts derived from two end-members; one is garnet bearing asthenospheric source with OIB characteristic and the other is amphibole-bearing spinel lherzolite. The Harrat Al-Madinah volcanic field occurs near the Red Sea Rift System and its origin reflects a strong lithospheric control on the loci of partial melting. The dominantly NNW alignment patterns of the volcanoes, which is similar to the regional Red Sea trend, may suggest that the magmas were produced by decompression partial melting triggered by lithospheric extension related to the Red Rift.     

A new occurrence of garnetiferous skarn rocks in Saudi Arabia: a case study from Bahrah area, Jeddah–Makkah Al Mukaramah highway

Metacarbonate rocks (including marble and skarn deposits) at Bahrah area are confined to a Precambrian island-arc suite made up mostly of massive basalts and volcaniclastics aligned in a NE-trending belt. The marbles are either pure (almost made up of calcite) or contain considerable amounts of tremolite, actinolite, epidote, and diopside. Garnet-bearing rocks at Bahrah area are classified into garnetiferous marble and skarn calc-silicate assemblages that are described here for the first time. The calc-silicates become more abundant when the marble becomes interbedded with foliated metabasalt. Such contact is delineated by an epidote zone of variable thickness. Microscopically, the skarns are enriched in Ca-bearing minerals such as grossular garnet, epidote, titanite, diopside, and augitic salite. There are evidence that calc-silicate skarns were formed due to a thermal effect of a concealed underground shallow granitic intrusion. The basaltic rocks furnished Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, and Al³⁺ that were first concentrated in the epidote zone. This was followed by pervasive replacement of epidote by large idiomorphic garnet (grossularite) that attains up to ～1.5 cm wide. It is evident that diopside is earlier than garnet with no replacement fabrics between the two minerals. Two types of titanite (sphene) can be distinguished: The first is secondary in the metabasalt host where titanite develops after titanomagnetite during regional metamorphism (i.e., metamorphic). On the other hand, the second type of titanite is found in the garnet-bearing calc-silicate skarn where it is typically euhedral with no link to any opaque phase and it is believed to be formed due to the event of superimposed thermal metamorphism (i.e., metasomatic). There are several evidence of the thermal metamorphic effect such as distinct granoblastic and annealing textures and K-metasomatism and formation of phlogopite at the expense of tremolite in the marble, in addition to poikiloblastic hornblende in the metabasalt host with distinct recrystallization. Also, there are some evidence of shearing such as brecciation along microshear planes, microfolding, introduction of fine euhedral pyrite, and presence of injected silica postdating crystallization of garnet in the calc-silicates.     

Application of number–size (N-S) fractal model for separation of mineralized zones in Dareh-Ashki gold deposit, Muteh Complex, Central Iran

The goal of this study is to separate different mineralized zones in Dareh-Ashki gold deposit located in Muteh Complex, Central Iran, by using number–size (N-S) fractal model. The N-S log–log plot shows seven geochemical populations and four Au-mineralized zones. Based on obtained results, Au thresholds are 0.17, 0.32, 6.3, and 12.6 ppm which represent weakly, moderately, highly, and extremely mineralized zones in terms of Au grades, respectively. Au values lower than 0.17 ppm illustrate wall rocks. Main mineralization stage of gold commences from 6.3 ppm in this deposit. The moderately mineralized zone with Au values between 0.32 and 6.3 ppm has occupied the biggest part of the studied deposit. However, highly (with Au values between 6.3 and 12.6 ppm) and extremely (higher than 12.6 ppm) mineralized zones have small extension. Correlation between geological model and results from N-S fractal model reveals that the gold mineralized zones specifically the moderately mineralized zone are situated in green schist units.     

Pliocene–Pleistocene stratigraphy and macrofauna of the Farasan Islands, South East Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

The stratigraphy of the Farasan Islands (Pliocene?CPleistocene deposits) is established on the basis of a detailed study of six stratigraphic sections described and sampled in the field. Detailed examinations involve the microfacies analyses and identification of macrofossils makes it possible to determine two new informal formations, namely, from the base to the top: Esbah formation of Pliocene age and Farasan formation of Pleistocene age. The detected microfacies types of the studied samples are only carbonate facies and include five major types: mudstone, wackestone, packstone, floatstone and boundstone. No grains of quartz sand or igneous mineral were found in the islands. The nomenclature of the biostratigraphic units established in the present work is not intended to define world-wide zonal standards. It is only used to subdivide the sequence into biostratigraphic zones according to 137 macrofaunal species (78 bivalves, 56 gastropods and three echinoids). These biozones, namely: Lithophaga teres zone (Early Pliocene), Clypeaster reticulates?CLaganum depressum zone and Chesapecten madisonius?CNoetia limula interval zone are assigned to the Late Pliocene; meanwhile, Noetia limuli?CAnadara ovalis interval zone and A. ovalis range zone are assigned to the Pleistocene age. The affinity of the Pliocene?CPleistocene fauna recorded from the Farasan Islands increase with time towards the Indo-Pacific realm. The identified bivalves and gastropods are dominated by the Indo-Pacific forms suggesting the connection of the Red Sea rift with the open Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden and Bab El Mandab in the latest Miocene and Early Pliocene.     

The Sr,Nd, and Hf isotopic geochemistry of rocks of the gabbro–diorite–tonalite association from the Eastern Segment of the Middle Urals as an indicator of the age of the continental crust in this area

According to isotopic analysis of rocks of the Reft gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex (Middle Urals), gabbro and related diorite and dikes and vein-shaped bodies of plagiogranitoids, crosscutting gabbro, are similar to the depleted mantle substance in ε_Nd(T) = 8.6–9.7 and ε_Hf(T) = 15.9–17.9. Their model Hf ages are correlated with the time of crystallization. Here, the tonalites and quartz diorites constituting most of the Reft massif are characterized by lower values: ε_Nd(T) = 3.7–6.0, ε_Hf(T) = 11.1–12.7, and T _DM values significantly exceeding the age datings. This is evidence that Neoproterozoic crustal rocks were a source of parental magma for these rocks. The primary ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in rocks of both groups is highly variable (0.70348–0.70495). The data obtained allow us to reach the conclusion that the Reft gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex was formed as a result of nearly synchronous processes occurring in the crust and the mantle within a limited area.     

Study of subsurface structures using seismic reflection data for Kalar–Khanaqin area/Kurdistan region,Iraq

The study is carried out to detect the subsurface structures that have geological and economic importance by interpreting the available seismic reflection data of an area estimated to be about 1,752 km². The study comprises of the Kalar–Khanaqin and surrounding area, which is located at Zagros folded zone. Twenty-five seismic sections had been interpreted. The total length of all the seismic lines is about 650.4 km. Interpretation of the seismic data is focused on two reflectors, lower Fars and Jeribe formation. The lower Fars reflector picked at the two-way time ranging from 0.1 to 2.6 second, while the Jeribe reflector picked at the two-way time ranging from 1.0 to 2.7 second. The constructed maps denote to the existence of many closed and nose structures, in addition, to numerous fault types. All these features were detected in the area having the NW–SE trend. The depth of the lower Fars formation is ranging from 100.0 to 4,800.0 m, while the depth of the Jeribe formation is ranging from 1,700.0 to 5,000.0 m. The depth maps for the two formations also refer to the similarity of the major geological structures. These structures appear in both formations with existence of slight variation in dimensions. The closed structure no. (1) is located at the north of the study area. The nose structure no. (2) is located at the south of the area. At the west of the area, the elongated structure no. (3). The longitudinal reveres fault intersects the SW limb of the structure. The SW limb of elongated structure no. (4), intersect by longitudinal reveres fault, is located at the east of the area. There is also the semi-closed structure no. (5), which appears at the west of the area around the Qr-1 well. Most of detected faults are of reverse and thrust types having a variable amount of throws and horizontal displacements. Some seismic sections explained the existence of the decollement surface within lower Fars formation, which caused the thrusting and faulting of the overlaying beds.     

Copper-gold endoskarns and high-Mg monzodiorite–tonalite intrusions at Mt. Shea,Kalgoorlie, Australia: implications for the origin of gold–pyrite–tennantite mineralization in the Golden Mile

Five Cu–Au epidote skarns are associated with the Mt. Shea intrusive complex, located in the 2.7–2.6 Ga Eastern Goldfields Province of the Archean Yilgarn craton, in greenstones bounded by the Boulder Lefroy and Golden Mile strike-slip faults, which control the Golden Mile (1,435 t Au) at Kalgoorlie and smaller “orogenic” gold deposits at Kambalda. The Cu–Au deposits studied are oxidized endoskarns replacing faulted and fractured quartz monzodiorite–granodiorite. The orebodies are up to 140 m long and 40 m thick. Typical grades are 0.5% Cu and 0.3 g/t Au although parts are richer in gold (1.5–4.5 g/t). At the Hannan South mine, the skarns consist of epidote, calcite, chlorite, magnetite (5–15%), and minor quartz, muscovite, and microcline. Gangue and magnetite are in equilibrium contact with pyrite and chalcopyrite. The As–Co–Ni-bearing pyrite contains inclusions of hematite, gold, and electrum and is intergrown with cobaltite and Cu–Pb–Bi sulfides. At the Shea prospect, massive, net-textured, and breccia skarns are composed of multistage epidote, actinolite, albite, magnetite (5%), and minor biotite, calcite, and quartz. Gangue and magnetite are in equilibrium with Co–Ni pyrite and chalcopyrite. Mineral-pair thermometry, mass-balance calculations, and stable-isotope data (pyrite δ³⁴S_CDT = 2.5‰, calcite δ¹³C_PDB = −5.3‰, and δ¹⁸O_SMOW = 12.9‰) indicate that the Cu–Au skarns formed at 500 ± 50°C by intense Ca–Fe–CO₂–S metasomatism from fluids marked by an igneous isotope signature. The Mt. Shea stock–dike–sill complex postdates the regional D1 folding and metamorphism and the main phase of D2 strike-slip faulting. The suite is calc-akaline and comprises hornblende–plagioclase monzodiorite, quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, and quartz–plagioclase tonalite porphyry. The intrusions display a wide range in silica content (53–73 wt% SiO₂), in ratio (0.37–0.89), and in ratio (0.02–0.31). Chromium (62–345 ppm), Ni (23–158), Sr (311–1361 ppm), and Ba (250–2,581 ppm) contents are high, Sr/Y ratios are high (24–278, mostly >50), and the rare earth element patterns are fractionated . These features and a negative niobium anomaly relative to the normal mid-ocean ridge basalt indicate that the suite formed by hornblende fractionation from a subduction-related monzodiorite magma sourced from metasomatized peridotite in the upper mantle. The magnesian composition of many intrusions was enhanced due to hornblende crystallization under oxidizing hydrous conditions and during the subsequent destruction of igneous magnetite by subsolidus actinolite–albite alteration. At the Shea prospect, main-stage Cu–Au epidote skarn is cut by biotite–albite–dolomite schist and by red biotite–albite replacement bands. Post-skarn alteration includes 20-m-thick zones of sericite–chlorite–ankerite schist confined to two D3 reverse faults. The schists are mineralized with magnetite + pyrite + chalcopyrite (up to 0.62% Cu, 1.6 g/t Au) and are linked to skarn formation by shared Ca–Fe–CO₂ metasomatism. Red sericitic alteration, marked by magnetite + hematite + pyrite, occurs in fractured porphyry. The biotite/sericite alteration and oxidized ore assemblages at the Shea prospect are mineralogically identical to magnetite–hematite-bearing gold lodes at Kambalda and in the Golden Mile. Published fluid inclusion data suggest that a “high-pressure”, oxidized magmatic fluid (2–9 wt% NaCl equivalent, , 200–400 MPa) was responsible for gold mineralization in structural sites of the Boulder Lefroy and Golden Mile faults. The sericite–alkerite lodes in the Golden Mile share the assemblages pyrite + tennantite + chalcopyrite and bornite + pyrite, and accessory high-sulfidation enargite with late-stage sericitic alteration zones developed above porphyry copper deposits.     

New data on ore geochemistry of the Rodionovskoe gold–quartz deposit,Northeast Russia

The enrichment of gold–quartz ores from the Rodionovskoe deposit in chalcophile elements (Au, Ag, As, Sb) is established. The ores are characterized by small negative Eu anomalies and low REE contents, which are typical of magmatic fluids. Slight enrichment of ores in Bi is evidence of the possible involvement of magmatic fluid in ore formation, which may have been superimposed on early metamorphic quartz veins and veinlets. The variously oriented REE patterns also indicate the presence of another magmatic fluid source, which could be related to the post-ore granitic intrusion. These results generally confirm the metamorphic–magmatic model of the formation of the gold–quartz deposits of the Yana–Kolyma belt. Our data are of practical interest for regional metallogenic forecasts, search, and evaluation of gold deposits.     

Integrated rainfall–runoff and flood inundation modeling for flash flood risk assessment under data scarcity in arid regions: Wadi Fatimah basin case study,Saudi Arabia

This paper presents a proposed integrated approach for flood hazardous evaluation in arid and semi-arid areas. Wadi Fatimah in Saudi Arabia is utilized for implementation of such an approach. The approach consists of four stages. In the first stage, a statistical analysis of rainfall data is performed to determine the design storms at specified return periods. In the second stage, geological and geomorphologic analyses are followed to estimate the geomorphic parameters. The third stage concerned with land use and land cover analyses linked with hydrological analysis to estimate the hydrographs. The fourth stage is related to the delineation of the inundation area under two scenarios: the presence and absence of the dam. The statistical analysis proved that some rainfall stations do not follow a Gumbel distribution. The presence of the dam reduces the inundation depth by about 10 %. The reduction in the inundation area due the presence of the dam is about 25 %.     

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     

Different types of fine-grained sediments associated with acid mine drainage in the Libiola Fe–Cu mine area (Ligurian Apennines,Italy)

Different types of fine-grained chemical precipitates were characterized in the surroundings of the pyrite-chalcopyrite mine of Libiola (Northern Italy). Both water chemistry and sediment composition were used to investigate metal mobility near the mine area. Local drainage waters were very acidic (with a pH as low as 2.5) and were rich in dissolved metals (Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni). Sediments associated with low pH water (pH <4.5) were ochreous mixtures of schwertmannite and goethite with traces of jarosite. Their chemistry was dominated by Fe and they had, compared to other sediments investigated, low concentrations of other metals. When the acidity decreased gradually, other precipitates formed. At a pH of approximately 5, a poorly crystalline, whitish, Al-rich precipitate occurred. At a pH between 6 and 7, a poorly crystalline, blue, Cu (Zn) rich phase was present. These “sequential” precipitation events progressively reduced the metal loading typical of the acidic mine water when there was a gradual mixing with normal water. When a sudden mixing between normal waters (pH ∼8, Ca–HCO₃, low metal bearing) and acidic waters took place, a rapid flocculation occurred of mixed precipitates containing Fe, Al and trace elements.     

Structural evolution of Bondoc–Burias area (South Luzon,Philippines) from seismic data

Recently acquired 2-D seismic profiles in the offshore area between Bondoc Peninsula and Burias Island, South Luzon, Philippines, are interpreted in the context of known structural styles observed onshore and in relation to paleo- and neo-tectonic regimes in the region. Two distinct seismic sequences can be distinguished relative to their structural style and tectonic significance. The top of a lower sequence shows strongly reflective properties. This unit, correlative to Late Oligocene to Early Miocene limestone bodies observed onshore in Bondoc Peninsula and Burias Island, is affected by intense to moderate superposed folding and thrust faulting. An upper sequence, correlative to a two-member turbiditic and shallower marine clastic deposit widely exposed in Bondoc Peninsula, is affected by thrust faulting and deformation associated with overturned tight folding. The onshore equivalents of these two seismic sequences form the core of a bent anticlinorium that twists from a NW–SE axis in onshore Bondoc into a N–S axis southwards into the southern tip of the peninsula, then back to a NW–SE axis in the offshore region further to the south. Overlying this structural core is a relatively less deformed sequence where syn-sedimentary half-grabens are still preserved in places. This complex structural style is the result of a series of several tectonic events occurring from the Eocene to the Present, involving carbonate build-up, deep water turbidite deposition, consequent compression (folding and faulting), and late-event half graben-controlled deposition. Some resulting structures are indicative of tectonic inversion processes (positive and negative) which may prove to be potentially favorable in the search for structural plays in the area.