Mesozoic paleostress evolution in the Saharian platform (southern Tunisia)

Abstract

A detailed analysis of brittle deformations in the Saharian platform of southern Tunisia is based on studies of fault-slip data sets and joint sets. It allows reconstruction of the Mesozoic paleostress evolution. During the Permo-Triassic, N-S extensions occurred with high late Permian subsidence rates. During the Norian, strike-slip movements reactivated former normal faults. During the Jurassic and the Cretaceous a succession of extensional events was characterized by : (1) a N-S extension which dominated from late Triassic to early Aptian. We relate this extension to the Africa-Eurasia divergence; (2) a ENE-WSW extension during the Cenomanian. We relate this extension to the opening of «he African basins ; (3) a NE-SW Senonian extension that continued during the Cenozoic in the Jeffara and in the Gabes Gulf, during the further evolution of the northern African margin. The various compressional trends recorded in the platform are attributed to Cenozoic events.     

Gallium behaviour in some contrasting lateritic profiles from Cameroon and Brazil

In the supergene environment under tropical climates, the behaviour of gallium depends on the physico-chemical conditions which control the evolution stages of the residual mantle and this element is not necessarily linked to aluminum, as was formerly believed. Ga vs. Al correlation is positive in weathering profiles from West Cameroon developed on granodiorite, basalt and trachyte, which essentially result from the leaching of alkalis, alkali-earths and silicon. However, in the upper part of the profile on trachyte, which underwent later aluminization, no significant Ga vs. Al correlation was evidenced. In lateritic and bauxitic profiles from Eastern Brazilian Amazonia developed on basalt and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, the dissociation between gallium and aluminum is clearly expressed by a negative or lack of Ga vs. Al correlation in the bauxitic horizons, resulting mainly from intense aluminization, as well as in the ferruginous horizons. In turn, Ga vs. Fe correlation is markedly positive in both cases. Thus, when dissolution of early formed Ga-containing gibbsite and kaolinite occurs, aluminum migrates and concentrates in well differentiated zones while gallium tends to be leached out of the profile or is retained by Fe-oxyhydroxides.     

Sustainable groundwater resources exploration and management in a complex geological setting as part of a humanitarian project (Mahafaly Plateau,Madagascar)

Southwestern Madagascar is a semi-arid region and a hot-spot of global change. On the Mahafaly plateau, people live with quasi-permanent water stress and groundwater, the only available resource, is difficult to exploit due to a complex hydrogeological environment. A methodology (suitable for humanitarian projects; <?40 k€) was developed in four phases to assess the sustainable exploitation of the water resource: (A) regional scale exploration, (B) village scale exploration, (C) drilling campaign, and (D) hydro-climatic monitoring. This integrated hydrogeophysical approach involves geophysical measurements (262 TEM-fast soundings, 2588 Slingram measurements, 35 electrical soundings), hydrochemical analyses (112 samples), and a piezometric survey (127 measurements). Two groundwater resources were identified, one deep (below 150 m) and one shallow (<?20 m). Hydrochemical results highlighted the vulnerability of both resources: anthropic contamination for the shallower and seawater intrusion for the deeper. Therefore, subsequent geophysical surveys supported the siting of six boreholes and three wells in the shallow aquifer. This methodological approach was successful in this complex geological setting and requires testing at other sites in and outside Madagascar. The study demonstrates that geophysical results should be used in addition to drilling campaigns and to help monitor the water resource. In fact, to prevent over-exploitation, piezometric and meteorological sensors were installed to monitor the water resource. This unique hydro-climatic observatory may help (1) non-governmental organization and local institutions prevent future water shortages and (2) scientists to understand better how global change will affect this region of the world.     

Armouring of well cement in H2S–CO2 saturated brine by calcite coating – Experiments and numerical modelling

The active acid gas (H₂S–CO₂ mixture) injection operations in North America provide practical experience for the operators in charge of industrial scale CO₂ geological storage sites. Potential leakage via wells and their environmental impacts make well construction durability an issue for efficiency/safety of gas geological storage. In such operations, the well cement is in contact with reservoir brines and the injected gas, meaning that gas–water–solid chemical reactions may change the physical properties of the cement and its ability to confine the gas downhole. The cement-forming Calcium silicate hydrates carbonation (by CO₂) and ferrite sulfidation (by H₂S) reactions are expected. The main objective of this study is to determine their consequences on cement mineralogy and transfer ability. Fifteen and 60 days duration batch experiments were performed in which well cement bars were immersed in brine itself caped by a H₂S–CO₂ phase at 500 bar–120 °C. Scanning electron microscopy including observations/analyses and elemental mapping, mineralogical mapping by micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and water porosimetry were used to characterize the aged cement. Speciation by micro-Raman spectroscopy of brine trapped within synthetic fluid inclusions were also performed. The expected calcium silicate hydrates carbonation and ferrite sulfidation reactions were evidenced. Furthermore, armouring of the cement through the fast creation of a non-porous calcite coating, global porosity decrease of the cement (clogging) and mineral assemblage conservation were demonstrated. The low W/R ratio of the experimental system (allowing the cement to buffer the interstitial and external solution pH at basic values) and mixed species diffusion and chemical reactions are proposed to explain these features. This interpretation is confirmed by reactive transport modelling performed with the HYTEC code. The observed cement armouring, clogging and mineral assemblage conservation suggest that the tested cement has improved transfer properties in the experimental conditions. This work suggests that in both acid gas and CO₂ geological storage, clogging of cement or at least mineral assemblage conservation and slowing of carbonation progress could occur in near-well zones where slight water flow occurs e.g. in the vicinity of caprock shales.     

Thermodynamic properties of chlorite and berthierine derived from calorimetric measurements

In the context of the deep waste disposal, we have investigated the respective stabilities of two iron-bearing clay minerals: berthierine ISGS from Illinois [USA; (Al_0.975FeIII_0.182FeII_1.422Mg_0.157Li_0.035Mn_0.002)(Si_1.332Al_0.668)O₅(OH)₄] and chlorite CCa-2 from Flagstaff Hill, California [USA; (Si_2.633Al_1.367)(Al_1.116FeIII_0.215Mg_2.952FeII_1.712Mn_0.012Ca_0.011)O₁₀(OH)₈]. For berthierine, the complete thermodynamic dataset was determined at 1 bar and from 2 to 310 K, using calorimetric methods. The standard enthalpies of formation were obtained by solution-reaction calorimetry at 298.15 K, and the heat capacities were measured by heat-pulse calorimetry. For chlorite, the standard enthalpy of formation is measured by solution-reaction calorimetry at 298.15 K. This is completing the entropy and heat capacity obtained previously by Gailhanou et al. (Geochim Cosmochim Acta 73:4738–4749, 2009) between 2 and 520 K, by using low-temperature adiabatic calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. For both minerals, the standard entropies and the Gibbs free energies of formation at 298.15 K were then calculated. An assessment of the measured properties could be carried out with respect to literature data. Eventually, the thermodynamic dataset allowed realizing theoretical calculations concerning the berthierine to chlorite transition. The latter showed that, from a thermodynamic viewpoint, the main factor controlling this transition is probably the composition of the berthierine and chlorite minerals and the nature of the secondary minerals rather than temperature.     

Surinamite analogs in the MgO-Ga2O3-GeO2 and MgO-Al2O3-GeO2 systems

New germanate analogs of the mineral surinamite, Mg₃Al₄BeSi₃O₁₆, have been synthesized with composition Mg₄A₄Ge₃O₁₆ (A=Al, Ga) and have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The Al surinamite phase crystallizes with a primitive unit-cell (P2/n, a=10.153(1), b=11.708(2), c=9.920(1) Å, β=110.18 (2)° and Z=4) similar to that of the silicate mineral. The Ga surinamite-like phase crystallizes with a larger unit-cell (C2/c, a=10.308(2), b=23.690(5), c=10.057(l) Å, β=110.23 (2)° and Z=8). High-resolution electron microscopy has shown the common formation of intergrowths between the surinamite and sapphirine structures, illustrating the polysomatic structural relationship between them. Observations of disordered microstructures in the Al surinamite suggest the occurrence of a P2/n?C2/c transformation.