Surface heterogeneity of mineralsAnalyse de l'hétérogénéité superficielle des minéraux

The precise study of adsorption mechanisms at solid–liquid interfaces requires a good analysis of the surface heterogeneity of the studied solids. For that purpose, molecular probe technique is one of the most powerful, especially at solid–gas interfaces. Indeed, low-pressure gas adsorption coupled to modelling of derivative adsorption isotherms as a function of logarithm of pressure allows to study qualitatively and quantitatively the effect of surface heterogeneity on the energy distribution of adsorption centres. The present review points out the interests of that approach to determine the shape of particles, the presence of high-energy adsorption sites and the surface polarity. Results comparing adsorption at solid–gas and solid–liquid interfaces are also mentioned. To cite this article: F. Villiéras et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 597–609.     

Activité du gaz radon dans l'air du sol et sismicité locale : exemple du bassin de l'Arax (Arménie)Radon soil-gas concentrations and local seismicity: case of the Arax basin (Armenia)

A survey of soil gas radon concentrations has been carried out at three sites, in the seismic area of Armenia, from 1996 to 1999. The seismicity generates opposed behaviours at the different sites. This heterogeneity is related to the sites locations in the tectonic frame. An increase of radon concentration occurs inside the tectonic micro-blocks during local seismic activity. On the contrary, an abrupt co-seismic decrease is recorded close to the fault area. These variations can be due to ‘pore-collapse’ phenomena which expulse the pore-gas and increases Rn concentration in soil at intra-blocs sites, but also to pore-elastic deformations and microfracturing modifications in the fault area. To cite this article: K. Kharatian et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 179–185.     

L'île Crémieu (Jura,France), un plateau calcaire épargné par la tectonique ?

The ‘Île Crémieu’, a plateau of Jurassic limestones located in the southern border of the Bresse and at the Jura front, is generally considered as non-deformed. Quaternary ice sheets and drainage have underlined and cleaned out some fracture planes trending NNE and NW–SE that border and crosscut the ‘Île Crémieu’. The analysis of seismic profiles reveals NNE-trending normal faults and NW–SE-trending strike-slip faults, crosscutting the basement to Late Miocene layers. Microtectonic fieldwork shows that these faults exist and were activated during the main Cainozoic tectonic events. To cite this article: M. Rocher et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Détection de carrières souterraines par sismique haute résolution à Annet-sur-Marne (France)Underground cavities detection by using high resolution seismics at Annet-sur-Marne (France)

Seismic methods were tested to detect underground cavities in the surroundings of Annet-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne, France). Cavities are located in three Ludian gypsum layers, between 30 and 80 m in depth. A high resolution seismic profile 450 m long was carried out so that the first third and the other part are respectively above non-exploited and exploited areas. Data processing highlights a series of reflections related to the marl–gypsum interfaces in the non-exploited area, while these reflections disappear in the exploited area. With the help of numerical simulations, this feature is interpreted as a disorganisation of wave fronts reflected on interfaces because of the presence of cavities. To cite this article: G. Grandjean et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 441–447.     

Caractérisation de la structure interne et de l'état hydrique de glissements argilo-marneux par tomographie géophysique : l'exemple du glissement-coulée de Super-Sauze (Alpes du Sud,France)

Geophysical methods such as seismic surveying and electrical resistivity imaging appear to be well-adapted to investigate and understand landslide mechanisms. They allow direct and non-intrusive measurement of acoustic velocity and electrical resistivity, two fundamental parameters used to define the physical properties of the reworked moving materials. Both methods were applied at the Super-Sauze site in the French South Alps, where a typical example of an intra-material earthflow-mudslide can be observed. Measurements were taken simultaneously along two orthogonal profiles: one 325 m in length is perpendicular to the axis of the earthflow; the other 235 m in length is located along the axis of the earthflow. The results show a correlation between the seismic and electrical resistivity data, confirming that the simultaneous use of both methods gives complementary information about landslide mechanisms. The seismic data provide information on fracture density variations, whereas the electrical resistivity data provide information on water content variations. To cite this article: G. Grandjean et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Homogénéisation et validation des corrections de terrain gravimétriques jusqu'à la distance de 167 km sur l'ensemble de la FranceUpdating and validating the French gravity terrain corrections out to a distance of 167 km

For regional and national study purposes, there is a high need for updating the terrain corrections (TC) in the French gravity database. We have recomputed the TC for all the French gravity stations from 50 m out to a distance of 167 km. We compute the TC with a flat-top-prism algorithm and three DEM with grid spacing of 50, 250 and 1000 m, used in the zones 53 m/3 km, 3 km/10 km et 10 km/167 km, respectively. Analysing the DEM/station Δz and comparing our results to the ones previously obtained in the Alps area, we estimate the accuracy of our TC to be better than 1 mGal. To cite this article: G. Martelet et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 449–454.     

Une méthode de quantification de la dégradation d'un escarpement de faille au cours des cycles climatiques du Quaternaire : la faille de Jobourg (Nord Cotentin,France)Quantification of a fault-scarp degradation through Quaternary: the Jobourg fault (North Cotentin,France)

The degradation of the Jobourg fault-scarp occurred by cryoclastic processes in a periglacial environment during a part of Quaternary time. An attempt of quantification indicates a bulk scarp erosion of about 39 m³ m^?2, while the head accumulated at the bottom of the fault scarp only represents 4.6 m³ m^?2. To cite this article: M. Font et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 171–178.     

Impact des crues sur les bilans sédimentaires de chenaux secondaires de la Loire moyenne (France)

Volumes of sediments eroded and deposited during floods were quantified in a vegetated secondary channel of the Loire River at the study site of Bréhémont (France). The topographic survey highlights the temporal variability in filling of secondary channels. Upstream riffle of secondary channels governs sedimentary supply. In these channels, sediments show a by-passing in the lower parts and an accretion in the higher vegetated areas. The asymmetrical morphology is reinforced during both intense and moderate floods. Sedimentary accretion in the vegetated areas leads progressively to channel narrowing. To cite this article: S. Rodrigues et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Origine et évolution du soufre au sein de l'aquifère des Sables infra-molassiques du Bassin aquitainOrigin and evolution of sulphur in the Infra-Molassic Sands Aquifer from the Aquitaine Basin

New data on isotopic composition of sulphur and oxygen in dissolved sulphates are used to determine the origin of sulphate ions (SO₄^2?) in the water of the Infra-Molassic Sands Eocene aquifer. Two very distinct origins appear: one is the gypsum dissolution, from the molasse, and the second is the pyrite oxidation, present at the bottom of and within the aquifer. These isotopic analyses helped, in agreement with hydrogeology, to identify geochemical basins whose properties modify the chemical water composition. They also highlight the existence of bioreduction areas. To cite this article: L. André et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 749–756.     

Volcanisme de l'ı̂le aux Pingouins,archipel Crozet,témoin de l'hétérogénéité du manteau fertile au sud de l'océan IndienPenguins Island,Crozet archipelago,volcanic evidence for a heterogeneous mantle in the southern Indian Ocean

Despite its small area (5.6 km²), the Penguins Island brings magmatic information concerning mantle geochemical heterogeneities in southwestern Indian Ocean. The volcanism that built the island was firstly associated with marine deposits, and secondly with aerial, giving then abundant volcanic breccias and lava flows. The rocks are weakly differentiated and result of magmatic fractionation from picritic to tephritic types. KAr ages are near 1.1 Ma. The magmatic source may be related to a HIMU reservoir or to EMI ± EMII ones, depending on the geochemical evidences that are taken into account. However, comparisons with the Marion Island, on the same oceanic plateau and far to the west, as well as with Kerguelen Islands, far to the east, suggest a very heterogeneous mantle source. To cite this article: A. Giret et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 481–488.     

Water organisation at the solid–aqueous solution interfaceOrganisation de l'eau à l'interface solide–solution aqueuse

The aim of this review is to examine the present knowledge about water structure close to an interface or confined in porous spaces. First, the structure of liquid water is briefly described. Though its understanding remains incomplete, it appears that it is largely dominated by the hydrogen bond network and its dynamical evolution. The presence of any ‘foreign’ substance in water perturbs such a structure by changing at least locally the hydrogen bond network. For this reason, the presence of a solid interface significantly modifies the structure of the first adsorbed layers. Whatever the support, it is now clearly evidenced that structural perturbations are limited to distances lower than 10–15 Å from the interface. The nature, energetic heterogeneity and hydrophilicility/hydrophobicity of the solid surface influence the arrangement of water molecules. This surface organisation must definitely be considered when studying adsorption phenomena at the solid–aqueous solution interface. The relevance of such problems to geosciences is illustrated by a few situations in which water structure plays a prominent role. To cite this article: L.J. Michot et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 611–631.     

Contribution à l'étude d'une partie du bassin d'Essaouira (Maroc) par sismique réflexionContribution to part of the Essaouira Basin (Morocco) by seismic reflection

A large number of seismic reflection lines and boreholes have been carried out in the Essaouira Basin by the oil industry. The present study concentrates on the reinterpretation of these data in the restricted area of Khemis Meskala, in order to better characterise the structure of the Cretaceous aquiferous system. The reflector corresponding to the bottom of the Vraconian formation has been identified on the different seismic sections. This horizon, which marks the base of the aquiferous system, was first digitised on time migration sections and then converted to depth sections using a suitable linear velocity law. The isobath map of the bottom of the Vraconian resulting from this study images the 3D geometrical structure of this horizon and shows that it is slightly folded in domes and basins. This document will be useful for rationalising the future hydrogeological researches that will be undertaken in the Khemis Meskala area. To cite this article: M. Jaffal et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 229–234.     

L'ı̂le de la Dominique, à l'origine des avalanches de débris les plus volumineuses de l'arc des Petites AntillesThe Island of Dominica,site for the generation of the most voluminous debris avalanches in the Lesser Antilles Arc

Results from recent fieldwork and the Aguadomar marine survey in the Lesser Antilles clearly indicate that the volcanic field of southern Dominica has experienced three major edifice collapse events. This led to formation of the most voluminous debris avalanches known in the Caribbean Arc. Submarine hummocky morphology with plurikilometric megablocks is characteristic of debris avalanche deposits. We propose that steep slopes on the western Caribbean side of the island and intense hydrothermal alteration lead to recurrent large-scale edifice collapses. Therefore islands in the Lesser Antilles face a non-negligible risk from generation of tsunamis associated with potential future edifice collapse. To cite this article: A. Le Friant et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 235–243.     

Effet de l'agrégation sur le transport de la kaolinite recouverte d'acide humique à travers un sable de quartz d'origine naturelleAggregation effect on the transport of humic-coated kaolinite colloids through a natural quartz sand

To evaluate the risk of contaminant transport by mobile colloids, it is necessary to understand how colloids and associated pollutants behave during their migration through uncontaminated soil or groundwater. In this study, we investigated the influence of aggregation induced by Ca²⁺ and trace metals (Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺) concentrations on the transport of humic-coated kaolinite colloids through a natural quartz sand at pH=4. Adsorbed divalent cations reduce the colloids surface charge and thereby induce aggregation and deposition in porous media. To cite this article: R. Ait Akbour et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 981–985.     

Sur la présence d'une série molassique (de type série pourprée) au Sud-Est de l'Ahaggar (In Guezzam,Ahaggar, Algérie)Presence of molassic series (‘Série pourprée’ type) in the Southeast of the Ahaggar (In Guezzam,Ahaggar, Algeria)

In the western Ahaggar shield, the transition between the Precambrian and the Ordovician units is characterised by thick volcano-sedimentary series (‘Série pourprée’ of the Ahnet). This series, in part of Cambrian age, results from the demolition of the Panafrican belt. Similar series were known in grabens located between the West African craton and the Ahaggar, from the ‘Adrar des Iforas’, in the south, to the Ougarta belt, in the north. We describe in this study a new formation identical to the ‘Série pourprée’ of the Ahnet, but cropping out in the far Southeast of the Ahaggar (In Guezzam). This new datum improves the Panafrican belt configuration. To cite this article: H. Djellit et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 789–794.     

Définition d'une limite multicritère ; stratigraphie du passage Campanien–Maastrichtien du site géologique de Tercis (Landes,SW France)Definition of a multi-criteria boundary; stratigraphy of the Campanian–Maastrichtian interval of the geological site at Tercis (Landes,SW France)

Lithostratigraphy, physicochemical stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and geochronology of the 77–70 Ma old series bracketing the Campanian–Maastrichtian boundary have been investigated by 70 experts. For the first time, direct relationships between macro- and microfossils have been established, as well as direct and indirect relationships between chemo-physical and biostratigraphical tools. A combination of criteria for selecting the boundary level, duration estimates, uncertainties on durations and on the location of biohorizons have been considered; new chronostratigraphic units are proposed. The geological site at Tercis is accepted by the Commission on Stratigraphy as the international reference for the stratigraphy of the studied interval. To cite this article: G.S. Odin, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 409–414.     

Indices de confinement dans les dépôts lacustres holocènes de Sarliève (Limagne,France)

The autochthonous magnesian carbonates and the gypsum depicted in the Holocene deposits from the ‘Marais de Sarliève’ (Limagne, France) result from an alkaline, magnesian and sulphated composition of waters. This is also recorded by the composition of algal micro- and macrophytes. This may be explained by the dissolved fluxes from the Oligocene catchment and from a restriction. During the historical period, the lake evolved towards a lesser restriction. To cite this article: J.-G. Bréhéret et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Enrichissement en uranium authigène dans les sédiments glaciaires de l'océan AustralEnrichments in authigenic uranium in glacial sediments of the Southern Ocean

Four sediment cores from the Polar frontal zone and the Antarctic zone in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean present an increase of authigenic uranium during glacial periods. We show that this increase in uranium is due to a combination of (i) an increase in the lateral transport of organic matter, (ii) a decrease in the oxygen in deep waters, and (iii) a process of diagenesis. It appears that uranium concentration cannot be used as a proxy of palaeoproductivity in the Southern Ocean, as previously suggested by Kumar et al. in 1995. To cite this article: L. Dezileau et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 1039–1046.     

Évolution temporelle et architecture interne d'un banc sableux estuarien : la Longe de Boyard (littoral atlantique,France)

The evolution and the internal architecture of an estuary type sand ridge has been studied with a set of bathymetric data recorded during the last two centuries and with a dense grid of recent very high resolution seismic profiles. Bathymetric data of the so-called, Longe de Boyard sand ridge, displays sand losts due to wave and tide erosion. Internal geometry, through seismic profile analysis, indicates two main phases of deposition recording both, a recent high energy environment and an older low energy one, respectively. Such an evolution is believed to record changes in sedimentation processes mainly related to the end of the Holocene transgression (8 000–5 000 yr BP). To cite this article: É. Chaumillon et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 119–126.     

Atténuation de l'intensité macrosismique pour la France métropolitaine : importance de l'intensité épicentrale

The main result of this work is to show that macroseismic intensity decay with distance strongly depends on the epicentral intensity. An attenuation law that takes this parameter into account is proposed for Metropolitan France, from the analysis of SISFRANCE macroseismic database. Such a model significantly reduces the difference between observed and theoretical intensities. A map of the attenuation variations is also set up for Metropolitan France. No major site effects are observed, but at a broad scale, young Alpine regions display a stronger attenuation than old Hercynian regions. To cite this article: P. Arroucau et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).