Burial history determination of the Triassic succession of Central and Northern Tunisia using clay minerals

The Oued Belif 48 and Koudiat El Halfa 5 borehole samples have been analysed in order to reveal the mineralogical composition of the Triassic successions and their burial history within the geological evolution of the Tethysian southern margin. Oued Belif 48 borehole belongs to Nefza district which is a part of the “Nappe zone” (Tellian unit, north-western Tunisia). Koudiat El Halfa 5 borehole crosses the Koudiat El Halfa diapir (north–west of the north–south axis, Central Atlas). In this paper, the burial degree of evaporitic Triassic samples was determined by the “illite crystallinity” index and by the evolution of the other phyllosilicates, essentially chlorite, talc and illite/chlorite and illite/smectite mixed layers. The studied samples of the two boreholes are characterized by the presence of abundant clay minerals. The <2-μm grain-size fraction of the samples is mostly composed of illite, chlorite and smectite and may contain a slight percentage of swelling layers (illite/smectite and illite/chlorite). The illite crystallinity value measured on ethylene glycol solvated oriented mounts of the Oued Belif 48 samples oscillates globally between 1 and 2.5 characterizing the epizonal zone with a range of 300–400 °C temperatures. The measures of Koudiat El Halfa 5 samples crystallinity index show a value ranging from 2 to 4, which indicates the anchizone and early epizone burial stage (temperatures around 200 °C). These data can be explained by Miocene magmatic activities characterizing the Triassic material of Nefza district and also by burial phenomena effects.     

Identification and evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes of the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area, Tihama plain, Yemen

One hundred forty-eight groundwater samples were collected from the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area for hydrogeochemical investigations to understand the hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater chemistry and their relation with groundwater quality. Groundwater in the study area is abstracted from different aquifers. The study area is characterized by arid climate and extremely high relative humidity. The results indicate that groundwater in the study area is fresh to brackish in nature. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na⁺¹?>?Ca⁺²?>?Mg⁺²?≥?K⁺¹ and Cl^?1?>?HCO ₃ ^?1 ?>?SO ₄ ^?2 ?>?NO ₃ ^?1 . Various graphical and ionic ration plots, statistical analyses, and saturation indices calculations have been carried out using chemical data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the study area. The prevailing hydrogeochemical processes operating in the study area are dissolution, mixing, evaporation, ion exchange, and weathering of silicate minerals in the eastern part (recharge areas). The reverse ion exchange and seawater intrusion control the groundwater chemistry along the Red Sea coast areas and few parts of the study area. Deterioration in groundwater quality from anthropogenic activities has resulted from saltwater intrusion along the coastal areas due to groundwater overpumping and extensive use of fertilizers and infiltration of sewage water. Salinity and nitrate contamination are the two major problems in the area, which is alarming considering the use of this water for drinking.     

Structural control of El Sela granites and associated uranium deposits, Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt

The El Sela area is a part of the basement complex of the Eastern Desert of Egypt and the Pan-African Shield. The area comprises outcrops of dismembered ophiolites thrust over arc volcano-sedimentary sequence and intruded by different syn- to post-tectonic granitoids. Structural analysis of the area enabled the separation and definition of four structural episodes: (E1) folding–thrusting episode associated with the cratonization of the arc/inter-arc rock association and the intrusion of the syntectonic (Older) granites. (E2) Upright folding episode associated with the compression and shortening to the ENE–WSW direction which is different from the NNW–SSE shortening direction during E1; at the end of E2, late tectonic granites were intruded. (E3) Post-tectonic granitic intrusion episode: two mica granite and granitic dikes were intruded during this episode. (E4) Fracturing, faulting, and post-granitic dike extrusion episodes caused different faults that took place after cratonization until the present. There are three generations of folds during ductile deformation (E1 and E2). The F2 folds are nearly coaxial (along ENE–WSW trend) with the F1 folds. The F3 folding is displayed by folds generally trending NNW–SSE. Therefore, the ENE–WSW and NNW–SSE trends can considered as preexisting discontinuities and mechanical anisotropy of the crust in the following structure episodes. Brittle deformation (E3 and E4) reveals the importance of those trends which control the multi-injections and many alteration features in the study area. During reactivation, a simple shear parallel to the inherited ductile fabrics was responsible for the development of mineralized structures along the ENE–WSW and NNW–SSE trends. So they can be considered as paleochannel trends for deep-seated structures and can act as a good trap for uranium and/or other mineral resources. Most of the uranium anomalies are delineated along ENE–WSW and NNW–SSE shear zones where quartz-bearing veins bounded the lamprophyre dike and microgranites and dissected them in relation to the successive fracturation and brecciation corresponding to the repeated rejuvenation of the structures. Therefore, the structural controls of the uranium mineralizations in the El Sela area appear to be related to the interaction between inherited ductile fabrics and overprinting brittle structures.     

Fracture systems of granites and Quaternary deposits of the area east of Aqaba: indicators of reactivation and neotectonic activity

This study is based on measurement of hundreds of fractures (small faults, joints, cracks) in the crystalline rocks (Precambrian) and in Quaternary deposits of the investigated area east of Aqaba. Fault-slip data, joints, and any weakness zone data from the study area were collected from 20 stations. These stations represent wadi cliffs, stream channels, alluvial fans in the Pleistocene to Holocene sediments, and granitic rocks. During this study, it was assumed that any discontinuity in granitic rocks is a plane of weakness neoformed or inherited and reactivated during the successive tectonic phases. Whereas any cracks, joints, or small displacement in the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits are assumed to represent the activity or, more recently, deformation of the local area where they found. This study found the main trends of weakness zones, the kinematics, and the relation to main stress field in the region. Results show that the Late Neoproterozoic structures were reactivated during the Cenozoic and controlled the recent movement along the Dead Sea Rift. The NNE to N-S trend sets explain the reactivation of the late Neoproterozoic structures during Tertiary times. On the other hand, the formation of the Dead Sea Transform during the Miocene occurred along the N-S to NNE-SSW trending fault system, which was reactivated as sinistral fault.     

Paleoclimatic evolution of central Sudan during the Late Miocene to Pleistocene

In this paper, information derived from X-ray diffraction and heavy and light fractions analyses were discussed with the aim to trace the paleoclimatic changes of central Sudan during the Late Miocene to Pleistocene. Based on lithological and mineralogical characters noted in the Sayal and Umm Ruwaba Formations, four phases of distinct paleoclimatic changes were recognized. The first phase commenced in the Late Miocene during the deposition of the Sayal formation. The area was slightly uplifted and of gentle slope, a feature deduced from the deposition of clayey and fine-grained sandy materials with subordinate gravely component. A hot and humid climate, depicted from the development of kaolinite and iron oxide, is proposed during the deposition of the Sayal formation. The second phase is characterized by development of depressions in which alluvial streams and possibly small lacustrine basins occurred. This is inferred from the presence of sandy and silty materials, a characteristic of the lower and middle parts of the Umm Ruwaba Formation. The climate remained hot and humid during the deposition of the lower part of the Umm Ruwaba Formation in the early Pliocene. A shift to dry conditions with possible periodic humid seasons is, however, thought to be established during the deposition of the middle part of the Umm Ruwaba Formation deduced from the observed increase in salinity and decrease in iron oxide content. During the third phase, throughout the deposition of the upper part of the Umm Ruwaba Formation, the kinetic energy of streams increased as can be inferred from the presence of gravely intercalations. Deposition under arid climate is suggested for the lowermost part due to the increased amount of feldspars and the absence of iron oxide. However, evidence of cool condition is again noted at the topmost part of the formation inferred from the relatively high content of iron oxide in the deposits.     

Physical properties of aeolian sediments within major dune corridor in Kuwait

A total of 212 sand samples were collected from aeolian surface sediments in a major dune corridor, northwestern Kuwait. Five main physical properties were taken into consideration in analyzing aeolian samples, namely color, shape, roundness, particle morphometry, and surface area. The analysis of quartz particles by the scanning electron microscope shows the influence of transportation on the microfeatures of individual particles. The surface deposits are dominantly unimodal and occasionally bimodal. It is obvious that coarse and medium sand are the dominant size fractions within aeolian deposits. The results according to the Munsell color system between downwind and upwind values show no variations. Also, the average percentages of roundness subclasses for upwind and downwind samples are similar (6.7%). The average values (area, equivalent diameter, perimeter, and elongation) for aeolian samples in downwind are slightly higher than in upwind and Al-Dibdibba Formation samples, but the values overlap at 1 standard deviation. The interrelationship diagrams show that the shapes of the particles within samples in the three groups are running in the same trend. In general, the northwestern (upwind) particles show more mechanical and chemical features compared with southeastern particles (downwind). The slight variation between aeolian (upwind and downwind) samples is attributed to the transportation effect of these particles. This led to a conclusion, based on the overall results of physical properties, that the coarse and medium particles (about 80% of the whole aeolian sample) are dominantly derived from local sources.     

Comparative analysis of fuzzy inference systems for water consumption time series prediction

Two types of fuzzy inference systems (FIS) are used for predicting municipal water consumption time series. The FISs used include an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and a Mamdani fuzzy inference systems (MFIS). The prediction models are constructed based on the combination of the antecedent values of water consumptions. The performance of ANFIS and MFIS models in training and testing phases are compared with the observations and the best fit model is identified according to the selected performance criteria. The results demonstrated that the ANFIS model is superior to MFIS models and can be successfully applied for prediction of water consumption time series.     

Optimization of a Photo‐assisted Fenton Oxidation Process: A Statistical Model for MDF Effluent Treatment

In the present study, the effects of initial COD (chemical oxygen demand), initial pH, Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ molar ratio and UV contact time on COD removal from medium density fiberboard (MDF) wastewater using photo‐assisted Fenton oxidation treatment were investigated. In order to optimize the removal efficiency, batch operations were carried out. The influence of the aforementioned parameters on COD removal efficiency was studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for maximum COD removal efficiency from MDF wastewater under experimental conditions were obtained at initial COD of 4000 mg/L, Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ molar ratio of 0.11, initial solution pH of 6.5 and UV contact time of 70 min. The obtained results for maximum COD removal efficiency of 96% revealed that photo‐assisted Fenton oxidation is very effective for treating MDF wastewater.     

Interfacial instability of sand patterns induced by turbulent shear flow

When a turbulent shear flow above a plane sand surface entrains sand grains,it generates a variety of sand patterns.Fluvial sand forms two major interfacial patterns:meso-scale dunes and antidunes,and large-scale bars.Measurements have evidenced that under erosive conditions,meso-scale patterns either change to or coexist with large-scale patterns.However,it remains elusive what exactly drives the switching of interfacial patterns and how the switching occurs.Here,we showdcombing a flow model with a grain transport model,allowing for both the surface and suspended sand fluxes dthat the switching of patterns emerges from the shear-driven complex feedback between grain transport and topographic perturbations.The switching predominantly depends on the magnitudes of the Rouse number and the grain size to undisturbed flow depth ratio.The model offers quantitative predictions of the maximum amplification of sand patterns and unveils a new attraction erepulsion phenomenon.