A thermodynamic model for Ca–Na clinoamphiboles in Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–O for petrological calculations

A calibration is presented for an activity–composition model for amphiboles in the system Na₂O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–O (NCFMASHO), formulated in terms of an independent set of six end‐members: tremolite, tschermakite, pargasite, glaucophane, ferroactinolite and ferritschermakite. The model uses mixing‐on‐sites for the ideal‐mixing activities, and for the activity coefficients, a macroscopic multicomponent van Laar model. This formulation involves 15 pairwise interaction energies and six asymmetry parameters. Calibration of the model is based on the geometrical constraints imposed by the size and shape of amphibole solvi inherent in a data set of 71 coexisting amphibole pairs from rocks, formed over 400–600 °C and 2–18 kbar. The model parameters are calibrated by combining these geometric constraints with qualitative consideration of parameter relationships, given that the data are insufficient to allow all the model parameters to be determined from a regression of the data. Use of coexisting amphiboles means that amphibole activity–composition relationships are calibrated independently of the thermodynamic properties of the end‐members. For practical applications, in geothermobarometry and the calculation of phase diagrams, the amphibole activity–composition relationships are placed in the context of the stability of other minerals by evaluating the properties of the end‐members in the independent set that are in internally consistent data sets. This has been performed using an extended natural data set for hornblende–garnet–plagioclase–quartz, giving the small adjustments necessary to the enthalpies of formation of tschermakite, pargasite and glaucophane for working with the Holland and Powell data set.     

A middle Proterozoic palaeokarst unconformity and associated sedimentary rocks, Elu Basin, northwest Canada

A major palaeokarst erosion surface is developed within the middle Proterozoic Elu Basin, northwestern Canada. This palaeokarst is named the sub-Kanuyak unconformity and truncates the Parry Bay Formation, a sequence of shallow-marine dolostones that were deposited within a north-facing carbonate platform under a semi-arid climate. The sub-Kanuyak unconformity exhibits up to 90 m of local relief, and also formed under semi-arid conditions when Parry Bay dolostones were subaerially exposed during a relative sea-level drop of about 180 m. Caves and various karren developed within the meteoric vadose and phreatic zones. Their geometry, size and orientation were largely controlled by northwest- and northeast-trending antecedent joints, bedding, and lithology. Near-surface caves later collapsed forming valleys, and intervening towers or walls, and plains. Minor terra rossa formed on top of highs. Karstification was most pronounced in southern parts of Bathurst Inlet but decreased northward, probably reflecting varying lengths of exposure time along a north-dipping slope. The Kanuyak Formation is up to 65 m thick, and partially covers the underlying palaeokarst. It consists of six lithofacies: (i) breccia formed during collapse of caves, as reworked collapse breccia and regolith; (ii) conglomerate representing gravel-dominated braided-fluvial deposits; (iii) sandstone deposited as braided-fluvial and storm-dominated lacustrine deposits; (iv) interbedded sandstone, siltstone and mudstone of sheet flood origin; (v) dolostones formed from dolocretes and quiet-water lacustrine deposits; and (vi) red-beds representing intertidal-marine mudflat deposits. Rivers flowed toward the northwest and northeast within karst valleys and caves; lakes were also situated within valleys; marine mudflat sediments completely cover the palaeokarst to the north. A regional correlation of the sub-Kanuyak unconformity with the intra-Greenhorn Lakes disconformity within the Coppermine homocline suggests that similar styles of karstification occurred over an extensive region. The Elu Basin palaeokarst, however, was developed more landward, and was exposed for a longer period of time than the Coppermine homocline palaeokarst.     

Osumilite-bearing Granulites in the Eastern Grenville Province, Eastern Labrador, Canada: Mineral Parageneses and Metamorphic Conditions

Osumilite-bearing metasedimentary gneiss occurs in the contactaureole of the Sand Hill Big Pond gabbronorite complex of Labradorianage in eastern Grenville Province, eastern Labrador, Canada.The osumilite (Os) occurs in association with cordierite (Cd),orthopyroxene (Opx), sillimanite (Sil), sapphirine (Sa), spinel(Sp), K-feldspar (Kf), plagioclase (PI), phlogopite (Ph), hematite(Hm),magnetite (Mt), corundum (Co), and quartz (Q) in zones adjacentto the gabbronorite intrusion. The osumilite-in isogard is delineatedat a distance of 1-3km from the intrusive contact. The osumiliteis characterized by enhanced Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratios (0.89-0.92)and relatively high K₂O contents (4. 13-4.78 wt. % ) The compositionalvariation of the osumilite is best understood by the substitutions(Mg+Fe+Mn)+St=2A1 and (K+Na)+(Mg +Fe+Mn)=Al+vacancy. Symplectiticintergrowth of Opx-Cd-Kf-Q, which partly of completely replacedosumilite, is ubiquitously present. The stable osumilite-bearingassemblages (all with Hm, Mt, and P1) deduced from petrographicfeatures and from the phase relations in the KMAS system areOs-Sa-Cd, Os-Cd-Sil-Q, Os-Cd-Kf-Q, Os-Cd-Opx-Q, and Os-Opx-Kf-Q.The saphirine-bearing assemblages are restricted to silica-deficient(quartz-absent) zones of the gnesis, which include Sa-Os-Cd,Sa-Sil-Cd, Sa-Opx-Sp, Sa-Sp-Cd, and Sa-Sp-Co. Orthopyroxenecoronas mantling phologite reflect the breakdown reaction Ph+ Q= Opx+Kf+vapor under extremely low water activity in thevapour. Petrogenetic grids in MAS, KMAS, and KMAS-H₂O-CO₂appropriateto the mineral assemblages in the metasedimentary gneisses suggestthat the changes of the mineral assemblages in the area studiedreflect dehydration reactions Ph+Sil+Q=Cd+Kf+V and Ph+Q=Opx+Kf+V, and osumilite and sapphirine-forming reactions Opx+Cd+Kf+Q=Os,Cd+Kf+Q=Os+Sil+, Opx+Sil+Kf=Os+Sa, and Opx+Sil =Sa+ Cd. Relativelyhigh Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) (0. 64-0.88) in the whole-rock compositionand high oxygen fugacity (near hematite-magnetite buffer), togetherwith exceptionally high temperature ( 1000?C) and extremelylow water activity (0.2) at peak meta-morphic conditions mightstabilize the osumilite- and sapphirine-bearing assemblagesat middle or lower crustal levels. Relatively low water activityis probably caused by the relatively dry precursor, which hadbeen metamorphosed at upper amphibolite facies metamorphic conditionsbefore gabbronorite emplacement.     

A review of numerical simulation of hydrothermal systems / Examen de la simulation numérique des systèmes hydrothermiques

Abstract

Many advances in simulating single and two-phase fluid flow and heat transport in porous media have recently been made in conjunction with geothermal energy research. These numerical models reproduce system thermal and pressure behaviour and can be used for heat-transport problems other than those associated with geothermal energy development, such as high-level radioactive waste disposal and heat-storage projects. Although these models are general, additional research is necessary before they can be applied to certain site-specific problems that are concerned with additional processes, such as mass transport and flow in fractured media.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEVIATION INDEX Hqa, Qd AND So

The deviation index Hqa is studied by use of the A.F.N.O.R. set of sieves (the geometrical progression of mesh-size has a ratio 1010 # 1.259). The author shows the connection between Hqa and the sorting index (So) of Trask, and the connection between Hqa and the Qdφ index of Krumbein (Hq= 3 Qdφ, approximately).     

Maintaining the Rural Landscape

Cultural landscapes require maintenance. The example of hedging in South Island, New Zealand, is used to explore the factors which generate perennial crises of maintenance, and ultimately affect the sustainability of a productive rural landscape. This logic of maintenance is applicable to other forms of landscape investment in drains, buildings, sown pastures and soils.