Detrital mode, mineralogy and geochemistry of the Sidi Aïch Formation (Early Cretaceous) in central and southwestern Tunisia: Implications for provenance, tectonic setting and paleoenvironment

The chemical and mineralogical composition of the Sidi Aïch Formation sandstones in central and southwestern Tunisia has been investigated in order to infer the provenance and tectonic setting, as well as to appraise the influence of weathering. The sixteen studied samples are mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, kaolinite and/or illite. Sidi Aïch sandstones are mainly arkosic, potassic feldspar-rich and immature. Much of the feldspar was transformed to kaolinite. Concerning the relation between sandstone detrital composition and their depositional setting, the Sidi Aïch Formation sandstone in the major studied localities, probably accumulated in relatively proximal small basins within the continental interior. However, for the Khanguet El Ouara study site, sandstones may have been deposited in a foreland basin which received recycled sediments from an adjacent orogenic belt.The source area may have included quartzose sedimentary rocks. The dominance of quartz and enrichment in immobile elements suggest that the depositional basins were associated with a passive margin. The petrography and geochemistry reflect a stable continental margin and sediments were derived from granitic and pegmatitic sources located in the southern parts of the Gafsa basin. High values for the chemical index of alteration (CIA) indicate that recycling processes might have been important. Particularly high CIA values in the Garet Hadid locality indicate more intense chemical alteration, either due to weathering processes or tectonic control.     

Factors contributing to heavy metal accumulation in sediments and in the intertidal mussel Perna perna in the Gulf of Annaba (Algeria)

This paper presents the results of a seasonal survey of heavy metals accumulated in sediments and in the soft parts of the body of the mussel Perna perna at four stations in the Gulf of Annaba (Algeria). Pooled soft tissues from 10 mussels representing the entire range of sizes were digested in nitric acid. Statistical analysis reveals a significant seasonal effect on all the measured metals, the highest values being recorded in winter. With the exception of Cr, the levels for all metals were significantly higher in the east, at the outlet of the Seybouse River, than at all other monitoring stations. The study also shows that north-western waters are subject to a significantly lower degree of heavy metal pollution than elsewhere in the gulf. Levels were nevertheless within the limits of public health standards.     

Statistical categorization geochemical modeling of groundwater in Ain Azel plain (Algeria)

Water analysis data of 54 groundwater samples from 18 uniformly distributed wells were collected during three campaigns (June, September and December 2004). Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was employed for partitioning the water samples into hydrochemical facies. Interpretation of analytical data showed that the abundance of major ions was identified as follows: Ca ? Mg > Na > K and HCO₃ ? Cl > SO₄. Three major water facies are suggested by the HCA analysis. The samples from the area were classified as recharge area waters (Ca–Mg–HCO₃ water), transition area waters (Mg–Ca–HCO₃–Cl water), and discharge area waters (Mg–Ca–Cl–HCO₃ water). Inverse geochemical modeling suggests that relatively few phases are required to derive the water chemistry in the area. In a broad sense, the reactions responsible for the hydrochemical evolution in the area fall into two categories: (1) evaporite weathering reactions and (2) precipitation of carbonate minerals.     

Temporal and depth distribution of microepiphytes on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile leaves in a meadow off Tunisia

A survey on the epiphytic microorganisms growing on Posidonia oceanica leaves was conducted along a depth transect along the coast of Eastern Tunisia (Mahdia). Samples were collected by SCUBA diving at depths of 3, 5, 10 and 12 m in July 2008 and January 2009. A total of 58 microepiphyte taxa were identified. Multivariate analyses revealed temporal and spatial variation of the abundance of epiphytic microalgae. Water motion, light availability, temperature and motility of species seem to be responsible of temporal and bathymetric variations of epiphytic microalgae. Unlike diatoms, dinoflagellates were more abundant in deep waters, suggesting that they are more vulnerable to hydrodynamics. The significant correlation between leaf area index and abundance of epiphytic species indicates that the phenological parameters of the host plant influence the abundance of the epiphytic microorganisms. Among the epiphytic dinoflagellates, our data showed a great number of potentially toxic species (Alexandrium minitum, Amphidinium carterae, Karenia selliformis, Coolia monatis, Karlodinium veneficum, Ostreopsis siamensis, Prorocentrum concavum, Prorocentrum minimum, Prorocentrum rathymum and Prorocentrum lima). These species were more abundant in the deep station under more sheltered conditions than found at inshore shallower stations, which are subjected to high water motion.     

Spatial scale variability in shoot density and epiphytic leaves of Posidonia oceanica on Kerkennah Island (Tunisia) in relation to current tide effects

A study was undertaken of the patterns of spatial variability, epiphytic biomass and distribution of epiphytic fauna and flora of Posidonia oceanica. Samples were taken at four stations located approximately 4 km apart, exposed to different current conditions. Stations A and B, situated near the Oued Mimoun tidal channel with its relatively strong bi‐directional flows, were affected by high current tide. The other two stations, North Oued Mimoun (L1) and South Oued Mimoun (L2), were located further from the channel, in low current tide conditions. Sampling was conducted in the Attaya area of Kerkennah Island (Tunisia) in August 2009 at depths between 2 and 3 m, with the results indicating differences among the stations. Shoot density decreased when exposed to high levels of hydrodynamic activity generated by current tides whereas the epiphytic biomass of P. oceanica leaves decreased at sheltered stations located far from the channel. Epiphytic algae such as Heterokontophyta, Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta, and epiphytic fauna represented by Bryozoa, Hydrozoa, Annelida, Porifera and Tunicata, dominated the epiphytic assemblages and were abundant at the station most exposed to high current tide hydrodynamics. Cyanobacteria, however, were dominant in stations exposed to low current tide.     

Implementing energy efficiency for target setting in the sugar industry of Iran

Sugar plants are one of the most energy-consuming industries in Iran; thus, the implementation of measures to improve energy efficiency seems necessary for such industries. This paper investigated sugar plants’ efficiency in different stages for implementation process of energy efficiency measures focusing on determining some relations for benchmarking and reaching efficient status. In doing so, the process of implementation of energy efficiency improvement measures is planned on the basis of experts’ opinions. Also, for deriving the efficiency of each plant in each of the stages of implementation of measures and the aggregate efficiency of them a multi-stage data envelopment analysis model is formulated. The obtained results from average efficiency indicated that the under evaluation population in the first, second, third, and fifth stages have a good performance and in the fourth-stage managers could not perform successfully. Also, the results of determining some relations for benchmarking showed that to what extent each of the outputs of each stage of the implementation process of energy efficiency measures in the sugar plants should be changed in order to achieve efficient conditions. The distance between the current output and the desirable output indicates to what extent manager has been successful in operation, studies of the rate of change of each of the outputs to achieve the efficient conditions are of the utmost importance in developing suitable strategies.     

Use of Late-Barremian sands from Central Tunisia in white cement clinker

The present work focuses on the ability of Late-Barremian sands from Ouaddada Mountain (Central Tunisia), to produce high-quality white cement clinker. Results indicate that these sands are particularly characterized by their fineness of grains (mean grain-size 90–140 μm), high cleanness (sand equivalent 88–98%), extremely low coloring oxides and volatiles levels (less than 0.03 and 1.9% respectively) and high values of whiteness and lightness indices (more than 86 and 90% respectively). Studies based on Bogue calculation, X-ray diffraction (XRD), burnability of raw mixes, Point Counting and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) methods, reveal that the Late-Barremian sands from Ouaddada Mountain can be used in the production of white Portland clinker by mixing with 70.8–75.6% of local limestones and 3.5–24.8% by weight of common Mediterranean kaolins from Guadalajar province (Central Spain), Tamazert (North-East Algeria), ?ile (North-West Turkey), Sebha (South-West Libya), and Abu Zanima area (West-Central Sinai, Egypt). Synthesized clinkers are composed largely of alite (75–76.2%), belite (12.8–16.5%) and aluminate (7.4–8.9%) with subordinate quantities of ferrite (less than 1%), slightly harder to burn and seem to be much whiter than Mediterranean ones with a whiteness index β more than 86%.     

Emarat carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb deposit, Markazi Province, Iran: A geological, mineralogical and isotopic (S, Pb) study

The Emarat deposit, with a total proved reserve of 10 Mt ore grading 6% Zn and 2.26% Pb, is one of the largest Zn–Pb deposits in the Malayer–Esfahan belt. The mineralization is stratabound and restricted to Early Cretaceous limestones and dolomites. The ore consists mainly of sphalerite and galena with small amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite, calcite, quartz, and dolomite. Textural evidence shows that the ore has replaced the host rocks and thus is epigenetic.Sulfur isotopes indicate that the sulfur in sphalerite and galena has been derived from Cretaceous seawater through thermochemical sulfate reduction. Sulfur isotope compositions of four apparently coprecipitated sphalerite–galena pairs suggest their precipitation was under equilibrium conditions. The sulfur isotopic fractionation observed for the sphalerite–galena pairs corresponds to formation temperatures between 77 °C and 168 °C, which agree with homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions.Lead-isotope studies indicate that the lead in galena has been derived from heterogeneous sources including orogenic and crustal reservoirs with high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb ratios. Ages derived from the Pb-isotope model give meaningless ages, ranging from Early Carboniferous to future. It is probable that the Pb-isotope model ages that point to an earlier origin than the Early Cretaceous host rocks are derived from older reservoirs in the underlying Carboniferous or Jurassic units, either from the host rocks or from earlier-formed ore deposits within these units.This research and other available data show that the Emarat Zn–Pb deposit has many important features of Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) lead–zinc deposits and thus we argue that it is an MVT-type ore deposit.     

Geochemical Characterization Given by Rock-Eval Parameters and N-alkanes Distribution on Ypresian Organic Matter at Jebel Chaker, Tunisia

Sedimentary rock samples from Jebel Chaker in the eastern part of the Ypresian basin in central‐northern Tunisia were analyzed using various geochemical methods in order to decipher their organic signature. Examination of the distribution of total organic carbon (1.04–1.82%) suggests that the petroleum potential of Ypresian facies is not ignored in such area. The Ypresian episode permitted the accumulation of organic matter, which is typically marine plankton as indicated by the unimodal distribution of N‐alkane at nC₁₈ and by the predominance of the aliphatic hydrocarbons compared to the aromatics. It is concluded that the Ypresian organic matter is relatively immature, as indicated by the high content of polar compounds (3–67%) in bitumen. This conclusion is supported by the relative low T_max values (433–438°C), suggesting that the organic matter is located towards the end of diagenesis and beginning of catagenesis. These new results testify to the establishment of suboxic conditions that led to the accumulation and preservation of good quantities of organic matter in central‐northern Tunisia during the Ypresian. Due to their geochemical characteristics, the Chaker facies represent new potential source rocks in central‐northern Tunisia.     

A technique for the analysis of the response of dams to earthquakes

A finite element technique is developed for two-dimensional problems of dynamics of dam–water–foundation systems taking into account all interactions rigorously. Water–foundation interaction, which previous developments have only simulated, is considered by imposing proper conditions at the fluid–solid interface. Furthermore, the technique permits treatment of layered foundations. An application to a concrete gravity dam–water–foundation system is presented and discussed.