Graben width controlling syn-rift sedimentation: the Palaeogene southern Upper Rhine Graben as an example

Eocene to Early Oligocene syn-rift deposits of the southern Upper Rhine Graben (URG) accumulated in restricted environments. Sedimentation was controlled by local clastic supply from the graben flanks, as well as by strong intra-basinal variations in accommodation space due to differential tectonic subsidence, that in turn led to pronounced lateral variations in depositional environment. Three large-scale cycles of intensified evaporite sedimentation were interrupted by temporary changes towards brackish or freshwater conditions. They form three major base level cycles that can be traced throughout the basin, each of them representing a stratigraphic sub-unit. A relatively constant amount of horizontal extension (ΔL) in the range of 4–5 km has been estimated for the URG from numerous cross-sections. The width of the rift (L _f ), however, varies between 35 and more than 60 km, resulting in a variable crustal stretching factor between the bounding masterfaults. Apart from block tilting, tectonic subsidence was, therefore, largely controlled by changes in the initial rift width (L ₀). The along-strike variations of the graben width are responsible for the development of a deep, trough-like evaporite basin (Potash Basin) in the narrowest part of the southern URG, adjacent to shallow areas in the wider parts of the rift such as the Colmar Swell in the north and the Rhine Bresse Transfer Zone that delimits the URG to the south. Under a constant amount of extension, the along-strike variation in rift width is the principal factor controlling depo-centre development in extensional basins.     

Methane exchange between coal-bearing basins and the atmosphere: the Ruhr Basin and the Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany

A precise knowledge of methane exchange processes is required to fully understand the recent rise of atmospheric methane concentration. Three of these processes take place at the lithosphere/atmosphere boundary: bacterial consumption of methane and emission of bacterial or thermogenic methane. This study was initiated to quantify these processes on a regional scale in the Ruhr Basin and the Lower Rhine Embayment. Since these areas are subject to bituminous coal and lignite mining, natural and anthropogenically-induced methane exchange processes could be studied. The methane emission and consumption rates and their carbon isotope signal were measured at the lithosphere/atmosphere boundary using flux chambers. On most of the soils studied, methane consumption by bacteria was identified. Thermogenic methane was released only at some of the natural faults examined. In active and abandoned bituminous coal mining areas methane emissions were restricted to small areas, where high emission rates were measured. The carbon isotope composition of methane at natural faults and in mining subsidence troughs was typical of thermogenic methane (−45 to −32 ‰ δ¹³C). Methane exchange balancing revealed that natural methane emissions from these two basins represent no source of atmospheric importance. However, methane release by upcast mining shafts dominates the methane exchange processes and is by about two orders of magnitude greater than methane consumption by bacterial oxidation in the soils.     

Eocene-Pliocene time scale and stratigraphy of the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Swiss Molasse Basin (SMB)

We present a general stratigraphic synthesis for the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Swiss Molasse Basin (SMB) from Eocene to Pliocene times. The stratigraphic data were compiled both from literature and from research carried out by the authors during the past 6 years ; an index of the stratigraphically most important localitites is provided. We distinguish 14 geographical areas from the Helvetic domain in the South to the Hanau Basin in the North. For each geographical area, we give a synthesis of the biostratigraphy, lithofacies, and chronostratigraphic ranges. The relationships between this stratigraphic record and the global sea-level changes are generally disturbed by the geodynamic (e.g., subsidence) evolution of the basins. However, global sea-level changes probably affected the dynamic of transgression–regression in the URG (e.g., Middle Pechelbronn Beds and Serie Grise corresponding with sea-level rise between Ru1/Ru2 and Ru2/Ru3 sequences, respectively) as well as in the Molasse basin (regression of the UMM corresponding with the sea-level drop at the Ch1 sequence). The URGENT-project (Upper Rhine Graben evolution and neotectonics) provided an unique opportunity to carry out and present this synthesis. Discussions with scientists addressing sedimentology, tectonics, geophysics and geochemistry permitted the comparison of the sedimentary history and stratigraphy of the basin with processes controlling its geodynamic evolution. Data presented here back up the palaeogeographic reconstructions presented in a companion paper by the same authors (see Berger et al. in Int J Earth Sci 2005).     

Trace-element mobilization during Ca-metasomatism along a major fluid conduit: Eclogitization of blueschist as a consequence of fluid-rock interaction

In the subduction complex of the Tianshan mountains, western China, massive blueschist is cross-cut by an eclogite-facies major fluid conduit surrounded by a reaction zone which is mainly composed of omphacite and garnet. Petrological as well as geochemical evidence suggest that formation of the vein and the eclogitic selvage around the vein was caused by fluid infiltration under peak metamorphic conditions of 21 ± 1.5 kbar and 510 ± 30 °C. The combination of whole-rock with mineral trace-element data as well as mass-balance calculations indicate that substantial differences exist between the unaltered host rock and the part of the system which was altered by fluid-rock interaction. These differences include: (1) depletion of mainly large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) and Li of up to 60% relative to their concentrations in the unaltered host rock; (2) an extreme enrichment of CaO (∼115%), Sr and Pb (>300%) in the altered parts of the vein-wall-rock system; (3) redistribution of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) from partly replaced rutile and recrystallized titanite in the blueschist-eclogite transition zone into newly grown garnet rims in the eclogitic selvage around the vein; (4) transformation of high Nb/Ta rutile into low Nb/Ta titanite which is associated with preferred mobilization of Nb over Ta; and (5) decoupling of Zr and Hf from Nb and Ta; the latter are depleted by ∼30% relative to the unaltered blueschist host rock whereas the former are depleted by only ∼10%. The prerequisite for the transformation of Ca-poor blueschist (6-7 wt.% CaO) into Ca-rich eclogite (up to 13 wt.% CaO) was the infiltration of a Ca-rich fluid. The release of trace elements can be attributed to partitioning of these elements into the passing fluid phase during dissolution-reprecipitation processes in the course of eclogitization. The reactivity of the precursor mineral assemblage and the chemical gradients between the reacting and passing fluid of the conduit are mainly responsible for trace-element mobilization in the studied samples. The suite of trace elements released upon fluid-induced eclogitization of the reactive wall-rock resembles that in island arc magmas showing strong enrichment of LIL elements, strong depletions in HFS elements and intermediate concentrations of REE.     

Investigating sediments and rock structures beneath a river using underwater ERT

This article presents hydrogeophysical investigations performed in a well-developed, long-term hydrogeological gypsum karst research site where subsurface evaporite dissolution has led to the subsidence of a river dam and an adjacent highway; both constructed on gypsum-containing rock, southeast of Basel, Switzerland. An observation system was set up to improve the protection of surface and subsurface water resources during remedial construction measures of the highway and in order to understand the processes, as well as the temporal evolution, of rock water interaction (flow and dissolution). However, no detailed hydrogeological information beneath the river could be derived from the previous investigations. To supplement the basic knowledge on this area, underwater Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) measurements were conducted in the river bed upstream of the dam. The ERT-data are interpreted together with drill-core information and a conceptual 3D-Model of the area behind the dam and beneath the river. Results help to delineate weathered zones, associated faults and the thickness of sediment deposits behind the dam, as well as to locate voids within the local karst system. The combination of the ERT and modeling allows the optimization of future site-specific remedial construction measures.     

Uncertainties of geochemical modeling during CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> sequestration applying batch equilibrium calculations

One of the uncertainties in the field of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is caused by the parameterization of geochemical models. The application of geochemical models contributes significantly to calculate the fate of the CO₂ after its injection. The choice of the thermodynamic database used, the selection of the secondary mineral assemblage as well as the option to calculate pressure dependent equilibrium constants influence the CO₂ trapping potential and trapping mechanism. Scenario analyses were conducted applying a geochemical batch equilibrium model for a virtual CO₂ injection into a saline Keuper aquifer. The amount of CO₂ which could be trapped in the formation water and in the form of carbonates was calculated using the model code PHREEQC. Thereby, four thermodynamic datasets were used to calculate the thermodynamic equilibria. Furthermore, the equilibrium constants were re-calculated with the code SUPCRT92, which also applied a pressure correction to the equilibrium constants. Varying the thermodynamic database caused a range of 61% in the amount of trapped CO₂ calculated. Simultaneously, the assemblage of secondary minerals was varied, and the potential secondary minerals dawsonite and K-mica were included in several scenarios. The selection of the secondary mineral assemblage caused a range of 74% in the calculated amount of trapped CO₂. Correcting the equilibrium constants with respect to a pressure of 125 bars had an influence of 11% on the amount of trapped CO₂. This illustrates the need for incorporating sensitivity analyses into reaction pathway modeling.