An overview of the diagenesis of the Upper Jurassic carbonates of Jubaila and Hanifa formations, central Saudi Arabia

The Jubaila Formation (Upper Jurassic) in central Saudi Arabia has been divided into lower, middle, and upper parts purely on lithologic grounds. Each part consists of a major lower unit of lime mudstone and a minor upper unit of grainstone. This persistent change in the limestone facies is interpreted as a reflection of repeated shoaling up in the depositional shelf environment. It is a normal marine carbonate sequence that varies in thickness from 85 to 126 m. In the Hanifa Formation, the lowermost brown ledges in the section comprise a series of coarsening upward sequences which generally terminate in a fossiliferous/peloidal packstone and grainstone and subordinately lime mudstone facies. The middle slope member is yellow, blocky weathered shale and marl. Above this slope member are several thick beds of brown-coated fossiliferous wackestone, packstone, and grainstone with the association of lime mudstone in certain levels. These are fairly resistant ledges due to the occurrence of stromatoporoids. Dedolomitization occurs in the Jubaila Formation in various textural forms which include composite calcite rhombohedra, zonal dedolomitization, regeneration of predolomitization fabric of the limestone, and coarsely crystalline calcite mosaics with or without ferric oxide rhombic zones. Rhombohedral pores commonly occur in intimate association with dolomite, possibly resulting from the leaching of calcitized dolomite rhombohedra. The regional dedolomitization was most likely brought about by calcium sulfate solutions reacting with dolomites. The source of sulfate solutions is the dissolved anhydrite deposits of the Arab–Hith Formations, sometime before their erosion, and it takes place at or near an exposed surface. The Hanifa Formation shows various diagenetic features. These include dolomitization, dedolomitization, micritization, cementation, and recrystallization. Most of the examined samples of the Hanifa carbonates are dolomitized and subsequently dedolomitized as evidenced by the presence of iron-coated dolomite rhombs partially or completely calcitized. Dolomite also occurs in the lime mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and grainstone facies, while leaching of wackestone and packstone and dedolomitization of dolomite and dolomitic limestone followed by recrystallization are common processes.     

Structural control on syn-rift sedimentation,northwestern Red Sea margin,Egypt

Detailed field mapping of a 120-km-long segment of the northwestern Red Sea margin reveals the existence of a number of sediment-input sites where Lower Miocene sediments form coarse-grained fan delta systems. Localizations of the fan deltas at the sediment-input sites (Wadis Gassus, Guesis, Quwyh and Sharm El Bahari) are controlled by structural and topographic elements, including relay ramps between interacting normal fault segments, cross-trend transfer faults, reactivated Precambrian basement fabrics and the plunge directions of tilted fault blocks. Sedimentary facies and geometrical characteristics of the fan deltas indicate that they are progradational and “Gilbert-type” fan delta systems. Variations in size and composition of the conglomerate clasts reflect the heterogeneous lithologies of the Precambrian basement and pre-rift strata in the source areas along the rift margin. Palaeocurrent data show marked changes in paleoflow directions, from northeast in the northernmost fans to east and southeast directions in the southern fans. This change occurs across the Duwi accommodation zone which formed a topographic high separating the oppositely dipping half-grabens in the study area. The data presented in this paper clearly demonstrates that the structural architecture of the northwestern Red Sea margin together with its related topographic expressions played a fundamental role in controlling the drainage network systems, sediment dispersal and localization of the fan deltas in this part of the rift system.     

Simulation of groundwater level in a coastal aquifer

Abstract

The groundwater levels can have a significant impact on structures and infrastructures of coastal areas. The simulation of the hydraulic behavior of coastal aquifers is very important due to its specific boundary conditions. In this study, the groundwater level in the Bandar-e-Gaz coastal aquifer in the Gorgan Gulf region located in northern Iran is simulated using the MODFLOW mathematical model. The modeling of the coastal aquifer behavior carried out in two calibrations (steady and unsteady states). The validation periods (unsteady state), the mean absolute error (MAE) and mean bias error (MBE) were used to evaluate the results. The values of MAE and MBE criteria for the steady state were 0.31 (m) and –0.08 (m), while the average of these criteria in the unsteady state in calibration period were 0.46 and –0.39, and in the validation period were 0.42 (m) and –0.31 (m), respectively. The mentioned results confirm the precision of the model for the entire simulation period, they also indicate that the simulation has a limited underestimation behavior. Moreover, it shows that the precision of the results has a negligible variability, which means the simulation also has considerable reliability. The highest and lowest amount of error in the winter and summer seasons are in accordance with the lowest and highest seawater levels, and it shows the significant sea effect on the hydraulic behavior of the coastal aquifer.     

The catastrophic cyclone of April 1991: Its Impact on the economy of Bangladesh

A very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of over 240 km/h struck the coastal areas of Bangladesh in the full moon night of 29 April 1991. The path of the eye, close to the shore, raised a storm surge of unusual height, reportedly more than 9 m above the mean sea level, which devastated the offshore islands and the mainland coast. The damage to the physical infrastructure of the port of Chittagong and adjoining industrial area has been colossal, and recovery will take years. Death tolls from the cyclone, storm surge and its aftermath exceeded 145 000 making it one of the world's major natural disasters of this century.This paper is concerned with examining the magnitude and intensity of the disaster. It analyses how the people of Bangladesh, and the environment in which they live, were affected by the cyclone. A brief account is presented of loss of life and of the damage suffered in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, and physical infrastructure.The paper lays emphasis on the need of building a sufficient number of multipurpose cyclone shelters in the disaster-prone coastal areas of Bangladesh. Adequate measures should be taken for evacuating people from vulnerable areas and putting them into these shelters in the event of a cyclonic storm. Simplification of the current cyclone warning system is recommended.The difficulties of providing relief to the survivors are discussed. And finally, the need for improvement of the communication infrastructure in the coastal areas is highlighted.     

Alteration Patterns Related to Hydrothermal Gold Mineralizaition in Meta-andesites at Dungash Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract: The hydrothermal alteration patterns associating with the gold prospect hosted by metavolcanics in the Dungash area, Eastern Desert of Egypt, were investigated in order to assign their relationship to mineralization. The metavolcanics of andesitic composition are generated by regional metamorphism of greenschist facies superimposed by hydrothermal activity. Epidote and chlorite are metamorphic minerals, whereas sericite, carbonates, and chlorite are hydrothermal alteration minerals. The auriferous quartz vein is of NEE‐SWW trend and cuts mainly the andesitic metavolcanics, but sometimes extends to the neighbouring metapyroclastics and metasediments. Quartz‐sericite, sericite, carbonate‐sericite, and chlorite‐sericite constitute four distinctive alteration zones which extend outwards from the mineralized quartz vein. The quartz‐sericite and sericite zones are characterized by high contents of SiO₂, K₂O, Rb, and As, the carbonate‐sericite zone is by high contents of CaO, Au, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Y, and the chlorite‐sericite zone is by high contents of MgO, Na₂O, Zn, Ba, and Co. Gold and sulphide minerals are relatively more abundant in the carbonate‐sericite zone followed by the sericite one. The geochemistry of the alteration system was investigated using volume‐composition and mass balance calculations. The volume factors obtained for the different alteration zones, mentioned above (being 1.64, 1.19, 1.17, and 1.07, respectively), indicate that replacement had taken place with a volume gain. The mass balance calculations revealed addition of SiO₂, K₂O, As, Cu, Rb, Ba, Ni, and Y to the system as a whole and subtraction of Fe2O3 from the system. Initial high aK+ and aH+ for the invading fluids is suggested. As the fluids migrated into wallrocks, they became more concentrated in Mg, Ca, and Na with increasing activities of CO₂ and S. The calculated loss‐gain data are in agreement with the microscopic observations. Breakdown of ferromagnesian minerals and feldspars in the quartz‐sericite, sericite, and chlorite‐sericite zones accompanied by loss in Mg, Fe, Ca, and Na under acidic conditions and low CO2/H2O ratio may obstruct the formation of carbonates and sulphides, and the precipitation of gold in these zones. The role of metamorphic fluids in the area is expected to be restricted to the liberation of Au and some associated elements from their hosts.     

广东清远早、晚稻稻田甲烷排放的观测研究

分析了2003、2004年广东省清远市郊区早、晚稻稻田甲烷（CH4）的排放通量,结果表明：广东清远早、晚稻稻田CH4排放通量的几何平均值2003年为4,38mg·m^-2·h^-1和6．09mg·m^-2·h^-1;2004年为5．17mg·m^-2·h^-1和8．3mg·m^-2·h^-1,土壤有机质含量是造成2003和2004年CH4排放差异的原因之一。水稻品种的不同,CH4排放通量也有所不同,实验表明,水稻品种“七丝尖”的排放通量比品种“金优99”高1．08mg·m^-2·h^-1,产量却只有64％。此外,与相关的测量结果进行初步比较。     

Decrease in the clear air transmission at Helwan Observatory site

Clear air atmospheric transparency of eight nights at Helwan Observatory site during autumn period of 1987 have been determined using the yellow filter GG5. The prevailing atmospheric transmission extends to 58%. A comparison with previous values obtained with the same filter and site during autumn period of 1963 shows a considerable decrease at the present years in the clear air transmission of the site of Helwan. This can be attributed to the aerosol pollution of the site caused mainly by the increase of the industrial centers at Helwan Zone. Clear air atmospheric transparency values at the beginning of winter season and at spring season are also given.     

Floods in Bangladesh: A question of disciplining the rivers

Bangladesh has been experiencing floods more frequently than ever before. Since 1947, she has been hit by extremely devastating floods in 1954, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1987, and 1988. Each year's highest flood record and damage costs have been broken by that of the subsequent year. All means of communication become paralysed. People lose food grains, domestic animals, homesteads, and lives. They remain marooned without food and drinking water until relief arrives. Despite huge spending on flood control, the intensity of the floods has been increasing. Therefore, speculation is naturally rife about the causes.The aim of this paper is to identify the factors which contribute to these devastating floods, and then to recommend an appropriate strategy for effective flood control. The geography, geology, and hydrology of Bangladesh are briefly discussed. The whole of the country is a huge river basin criss-crossed by as many as seven hundred rivers, tributaries, and distributaries, having a total length of 22 155 km.The river-beds are rendered shallow by heavy deposits of alluvial earth each year and tend easily to cause inundations. The quantum of silt carried by the river systems into Bangladesh is estimated to be 2.4 × 10⁹ tonnes/yr.Disciplining the rivers means keeping the rivers navigable all year round, removing excessive deposits of silt where they threaten to block a channel, preventing widening by erosion, contracting the width where the river is excessively wide, and last but not least, preventing construction whose eventual impact might prove harmful.Natural disasters do not respect political frontiers, nothing can stop them, but their adverse impact could be minimised. The author emphasises the need for employing the abundant cheap manpower, local materials, and indigenous technology for flood control projects.     

Evaluation of the crustal deformations in the northern region of Lake Nasser (Egypt) derived from 8 years of GPS campaign observations

The proper evaluation of crustal deformations in the Aswan (Egypt) region is crucial due to the existence of one major artificial structure: the Aswan High Dam. This construction induced the creation of one of the major artificial lakes: Lake Nasser, which has a surface area of about 5200 km² with a maximum capacity of 165 km³. The lake is nearly 550 km long (more than 350 km within Egypt and the remainder in Sudan) and 35 km across at its widest point. Great attention has focused on this area after the November 14, 1981 earthquake (M_L = 5.7), with its epicenter southwest of the High Dam.In order to evaluate the present-day kinematics of the region, its relationship with increasing seismicity, and the possible influence of the Aswan High Dam operation, a network of 11 GPS sites was deployed in the area. This network has been reobserved every year since 2000 in campaign style. We present here the results of the analysis of the GPS campaign time-series. These time-series are already long enough to derive robust solutions for the motions of these stations. The computed trends are analyzed within the framework of the geophysical and geological settings of this region. We show that the observed displacements are significant, pointing to a coherent intraplate extensional deformation pattern, where some of the major faults (e.g., dextral strike-slip Kalabsha fault and normal Dabud fault) correspond to gradients of the surface deformation field. We also discuss the possible influence of the water load on the long-term deformation pattern.