Magmatismes basiques dits “orogeniques” et “anorogeniques” et teneurs entro2: Les associations “Isotitanees” et “anisotitanfes”

The patterns of variation of TiO₂ conent during magmatic evolution are different in the so called “orogenic” and “anorogenie” basic associations; these last terms, which are the cause of much misunderstanding, can be replaced by the terms “isotitaniferous” and “anisotitaniferous”.     

A laboratory and theoretical study of the growth of “black smoker” chimneys

Observational evidence suggests that black smoker chimneys are formed by the precipitation of anhydrite from seawater producing a solid framework which is replaced successively by iron, zinc and copper sulfides. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this process using a laboratory model in which KNO₃ is first crystallized from a warm, nearly saturated solution round an inflowing plume of cold K₂CO₃. The chimney grows in length at a nearly constant rate and, at the same time, it thickens as heat conduction causes further crystallization. The dynamic replacement process has been modelled separately, with CuSO₄ passed through a previously formed chimney of KNO₃ and flowing out through the porous walls when the flow rate, and hence the pressure difference, is increased. The formation of chimneys at a line or slit source has also been investigated in the laboratory. It has been shown that, in this case, the slit is quickly blocked off by crystallization over most of its length and that the growth is concentrated at just a few points to form a small number of nearly axisymmetric chimneys.A theory has been developed which predicts both the diameter of the outlet vent and the sign of the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of an axisymmetric chimney of constant internal diameter for a specified flow rate and density difference. It suggests that changes in flow rate or in the internal diameter of the chimney can cause fluid to flow in or out through the porous wall, leading to changes in the position of mineral stability fields within the evolving chimney. The theory has been extended to describe the pressure distribution in tapering interior conduits and it leads to the conclusion that the direction of flow through a porous chimney can reverse along its length.     

Deformation of “Villafranchian” lacustrine sediments in the Chisone Valley (Western Alps, Italy)

The Chisone Valley is located in the internal NW Alps, in the Pinerolese District, an area characterized by present low to medium seismicity. Fine-grained sediments (sand, silt and clay with interbedded gravel) crop out in the lower Chisone Valley: they were first interpreted as glaciolacustrine deposits, and then as a lacustrine infilling of the valley floor probably due to differential uplifting of the valley mouth. Review of this data, together with new field and palynological observations, lead us to refer the lacustrine deposits to approximately the Lower Pleistocene (Villafranchian). In many outcrops, the lacustrine deposits show strong soft-sediment deformation such as convolute laminations, water-escape structures and disrupted beds, some of them associated with folds and faults (cm to dm in size); only two sites show metric to decametric folds and faults trending E-W and N-S. Detailed structural analysis conducted along a recently exposed section (Rio Gran Dubbione site) shows several soft-sediment deformation features on the limbs of mesoscale folds. Because of their intimate structural association, the origin of these minor structures seems to be connected to synsedimentary activity on reverse and normal faults (m to dm in size) affecting the lacustrine deposits in the same locality. Soft-sediment deformation features can be interpreted as possible paleoseismites. If so, the present seismicity of the Pinerolese District, which is the major area of such activity in NW Italy, cannot be considered an isolated episode in the geological evolution of the region; even if there is no supporting evidence for continuous seismicity, the deformations in the lacustrine sediments of the Chisone Valley testify to Early Pleistocene seismic activity, probably related to the recent tectonic evolution of the internal side of the NW Alps.     

The “wave turbopause”

The “wave turbopause” is defined as the mesospheric altitude level where the temperature fluctuation field indicates a substantial increase in wave amplitudes in the vertical direction.The turbopause altitude is analyzed on the basis of four years of SABER data (2002–2005, Version 1.06). Substantial seasonal and latitudinal variations are found, with some interannual variability also present. Seasonal changes are annual at high latitudes, semi-annual at low latitudes, and a mixture of both at middle latitudes. Southern hemisphere data are similar as in the North if shifted by half a year. Latitudinal variations show a minimum in the tropics and two relative maxima at middle latitudes.The “wave turbopause” is found near to zero-wind lines or low-wind zones (zonal wind). It is compared to rocket and other measurements, and interesting similarities are obtained. The wave turbopause can also be found in the HAMMONIA GCM. A preliminary analysis shows results similar to those of the SABER measurements.     

“Site & region-specific” response spectra: a probabilistic approach

Design seismic forces depend on Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values and on the shape of Response Spectrum (RS) curves dictated by Building Codes or which need to be evaluated in every particular case. The PGA values and RS curves strictly depend on earthquake magnitude and distance, as well as on the regional and local geological conditions. At present, there is no doubt that it is necessary to construct so-called “Site & Region-specific” Building Code provisions reflecting the influence of different magnitude events at different distances that may occur during the life time of the construction, as well as the variety of local ground conditions. A scheme of Uniform Hazard Response Spectra and PGA estimation considering local site response is described in this paper. The assessments of these design parameters are obtained on the basis of Uniform Hazard Fourier spectra using the conception of “dominant earthquakes”. The effect of local geology is included by means of the soil/reference site spectral ratios.     

NEW FILTERING METHODS WITH “VIBROSEIS”*

In order to obtain high resolution correlograms, it is of importance amongst other things to get reflection signals with large bandwidth. An advantage of the VIBROSEIS *** *** Trade Mark and Service book of the Continental Oil Company.
method is that the frequencies radiated by the vibrators can be matched to the transmission response of the subsurface involved. By choosing the right frequency range, the highest possible amplitude and most favourable form may be given to the reflection signals. In a reflection correlogram, individual signals cannot be considered in isolation. Signals of different origin are interfering with one another. They very often have different amplitudes, so that it may be desirable in many cases to filter out events of certain apparent velocity. With the VIBROSEIS method this may be achieved quite simply. All frequencies of the noise signal are uniformly suppressed. The advantage is that noise signals, e.g. refraction signals, which cannot be sufficiently attenuated by wavelength filtering, may be completely eliminated by this velocity filtering without affecting the bandwith of the desired signal. The total dynamic range of the tape recording can be used for the registration of wanted events. To perform this kind of filtering several vibrators are necessary in the field; each of them is controlled by an individual signal. There is an unavoidable error of static and dynamic corrections which causes the results of reflection measurements to deteriorate when using multiple coverage. High frequency components especially are seriously affected by destructive interference. This difficulty can be avoided by using a VIBROSEIS signal with high frequency component amplitudes supported. For the probability of error of corrections a normal distribution is assumed. A smoothed amplitude characteristic may be achieved after stacking. The amplitude characteristic of seismic devices is commonly reduced to about 100 cps bandwidth. For further improvement of resolution of VIBROSEIS correlograms it is necessary to apply special filtering methods. This is of particular interest when any kind of gain control is used to display weak events more clearly. With increasing amplification the sidelobes of the strong signals may reach the size of the weak events. In order to eliminate this effect, the amplitude characteristic of the VIBROSEIS signal is adjusted for optimum suppression of side-lobes.     

NEW FILTERING METHODS WITH “VIBROSEIS”*

In order to obtain high resolution correlograms, it is of importance amongst other things to get reflection signals with large bandwidth. An advantage of the VIBROSEIS *** *** Trade Mark and Service book of the Continental Oil Company.
method is that the frequencies radiated by the vibrators can be matched to the transmission response of the subsurface involved. By choosing the right frequency range, the highest possible amplitude and most favourable form may be given to the reflection signals. In a reflection correlogram, individual signals cannot be considered in isolation. Signals of different origin are interfering with one another. They very often have different amplitudes, so that it may be desirable in many cases to filter out events of certain apparent velocity. With the VIBROSEIS method this may be achieved quite simply. All frequencies of the noise signal are uniformly suppressed. The advantage is that noise signals, e.g. refraction signals, which cannot be sufficiently attenuated by wavelength filtering, may be completely eliminated by this velocity filtering without affecting the bandwith of the desired signal. The total dynamic range of the tape recording can be used for the registration of wanted events. To perform this kind of filtering several vibrators are necessary in the field; each of them is controlled by an individual signal. There is an unavoidable error of static and dynamic corrections which causes the results of reflection measurements to deteriorate when using multiple coverage. High frequency components especially are seriously affected by destructive interference. This difficulty can be avoided by using a VIBROSEIS signal with high frequency component amplitudes supported. For the probability of error of corrections a normal distribution is assumed. A smoothed amplitude characteristic may be achieved after stacking. The amplitude characteristic of seismic devices is commonly reduced to about 100 cps bandwidth. For further improvement of resolution of VIBROSEIS correlograms it is necessary to apply special filtering methods. This is of particular interest when any kind of gain control is used to display weak events more clearly. With increasing amplification the sidelobes of the strong signals may reach the size of the weak events. In order to eliminate this effect, the amplitude characteristic of the VIBROSEIS signal is adjusted for optimum suppression of side-lobes.     

Temperature, density and buoyancy fluxes in “black smoker” plumes, and the criterion for buoyancy reversal

Measurements of the temperature and composition of effluent from vents on the sea floor can be used to deduce the in-situ density of this fluid, which is required for calculations of flow in the chimneys and through their porous walls. This density is, however, not directly relevant when calculating the buoyancy flux in the plume above a smoker. It is the asymptotic buoyancy flux, following extensive dilution with seawater, which is required when estimating the height of rise of plumes in a stably stratified ocean, and when calculating the criterion for reversal of buoyancy due to non-linear mixing effects. The results of mixing calculations show that the effluent from hydrothermal vents on the sea floor will exhibit reversing buoyancy if the ejected fluid has a temperature of 300°C and a salinity greater than 8 wt.% NaCl. If the temperature of the effluent is 200°C the salinity required for reversing buoyancy falls to 5.5 wt.% NaCl. Measurements of temperature and salinities of sea-floor hydrothermal fluid suggest that fluids with the characteristics required to form reversing plumes are ejected at the sea floor. The possibility that reversing plumes may be found has important implications for the formation of massive sulfide deposits.     

Application of the Clean Development Mechanism in the Sanitation Sector: “Proof of Concept”

Greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector account for only 4% of the total production, with wastewater management accounting for accurately 8 to 10% of this contribution. Wastewater disposal and treatment activities, mainly contributes to non‐CO₂ gases such as methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Capturing or avoiding these emissions is thus both a concern and an opportunity. The clean development mechanism (CDM) offers an instrument to internalize global climate concerns into the design of wastewater treatment facilities. Properly designed facilities could improve effluent quality and optimize the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions, thus ensuring additional revenues to pay for capital, operation and maintenance costs and possibly justify higher levels of wastewater treatment. This document summarizes the experience of the “Rio Frio CDM project” in Colombia, as an example of what is achievable through the CDM application in wastewater treatment upgrade in developing countries. This document summarizes the scope of the project, the methodology used to establish current greenhouse emissions and future reductions, and the estimated financial results.     

A NEW METHOD OF CANCELLING MULTIPLE REFLECTIONS: “SOUSTON”*

Cancelling of multiple reflections by CDP stacking is generally incomplete. When the order of coverage is low, an improvement may be obtained by the use of special filters (e.g. Schneider et al: Geophysics 1965; D'Hoeraene: Geophysics 1966). But when the order of coverage is high, the efficiency of these filters is less obvious. On the other hand, the higher the order of coverage, the higher the efficiency in the solution presented. Schematically, our method includes three steps: Firstly: Searching for the multiple reflections. For this purpose Move Out corrections corresponding to the multiples are applied to each individual record, then CDP stacking is carried out. Secondly: Cleaning up of the individual records. “Decorrections” are firstly applied, then multiples are subtracted. For this, subtraction is weighed versus the energy of the multiples, that is to say versus the correlation between the original record and the pure multiple reflections. Thirdly: Normal processing with the cleaned records which have been obtained. The different steps of this method are illustrated with the help of theoretical examples. Its efficiency improvement in regard to normal CDP stacking is then demonstrated by means of true examples.