Evidence for high temperature and 18O‐enriched fluids in the Arab‐D of the Ghawar Field,Saudi Arabia

Using the clumped isotope method, the temperature of dolomite and calcite formation and the oxygen isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O_w) of the diagenetic fluids have been determined in a core taken from the Arab‐D of the Ghawar field, the largest oil reservoir in the world. These analyses show that while the dolomites and limestones throughout the major zones of the reservoir recrystallized at temperatures between ca 80°C and 100°C, the carbonates near the top of the reservoir formed at significantly lower temperatures (20 to 30°C). Although the δ¹⁸O values of the diagenetic fluids show large variations ranging from ca <0‰ to ca +8‰, the variations exhibit consistent downhole changes, with the highest values being associated with the portion of the reservoir with the highest permeability and porosity. Within the limestones, dolomites and dolomites associated with the zone of high permeability, there are statistically significant different trends between the δ¹⁸O_w values and recrystallization temperature. These relationships have different intercepts suggesting that fluids with varying δ¹⁸O_w values were involved in the formation of dolomite and limestone compared to the formation of dolomite associated with the zone of high permeability. These new data obtained using the clumped isotope technique show how dolomitization and recrystallization by deep‐seated brines with elevated δ¹⁸O_w values influence the δ¹⁸O values of carbonates, possibly leading to erroneous interpretations unless temperatures can be adequately constrained.     

Geology of the Murcia Valley and Flood Plain Modifications in the Construction of the Circus Maximus,Rome, Italy

This paper presents a morphological and hydrogeological reconstruction of the Murcia Valley at the location of the great Roman stadium Circus Maximus in Rome. We reconstruct a valley segment using ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) and geoarchaeological drilling data that identified three main layers. The basal layer, with high resistivity values and convex shapes, is correlated to alluvial gravel and lithified silt‐clay sediments. The middle layer shows low‐to‐medium resistivity values extending to concavities between the basal convex shapes. The very low resistivity values of this middle layer characterize elliptical to circular morphologies and have been ascribed to the presence of water‐saturated clay‐silt and peaty sediments. The surface layer is characterized by widespread lateral inhomogeneity interpreted as anthropogenic fill. The data indicate a pre‐Roman anastomosed alluvial plain subsequently modified by human intervention. In an effort to reclaim the valley for construction of the Circus, the Romans utilized the natural topography and created a central embankment, later becoming the Spina, by filling depressions with sand taken from adjacent bars. Our study contributes to (1) knowledge of the pre‐Roman landscape, (2) understanding anthropogenic modification of the Murcia Valley flood plain, and (3) archaeological interpretation of the monument.