Magnetic Characterization of Amphibolites from the Fomopéa Pluton (West Cameroon): Their Implication in the Pan-African Deformation of the Central African Fold Belt

The Fomopea granitic pluton is emplaced in gnessic and amphibolitic basement.These gneissic and amphibolitic basement rocks are represented in the pluton's body as sub-rounded,elongated or stretched xe...     

Formation of the Dongmozhazhua Pb–Zn Deposit in the Thrust‐Fold Setting of the Tibetan Plateau,China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Data

The Dongmozhazhua deposit, the largest Pb–Zn deposit in south Qinghai, China, is stratabound, carbonate‐hosted and associated with epigenetic dolomitization and silicification of Lower–Middle Permian—Upper Triassic limestones in the hanging walls of a Cenozoic thrust fault system. The mineralization is localized in a Cenozoic thrust‐folded belt along the northeastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, which was formed due to the India–Asia plate collision during the early Tertiary. The deposit comprises 16 orebodies with variable thicknesses (1.5–26.3 m) and lengths (160–1820 m). The ores occur as dissemination, vein, and breccia cement. The main sulfide assemblage is sphalerite + galena + pyrite + marcasite ± chalcopyrite ± tetrahedrite, and gangue minerals consist mainly of calcite, dolomite, barite, and quartz. Samples of pre‐ to post‐ore stages calcite yielded δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values that are, respectively, similar to and lower than those yielded by the host limestones, suggesting that the calcite formed from fluids derived from carbonate dissolution. Fluid inclusions in calcite and sphalerite in the polymetallic sulfidization stage mostly comprise liquid and gas phases at room temperature, with moderate homogenization temperatures (100–140°C) and high salinities (21–28 wt% NaCl eq.). Micro‐thermometric fluid inclusion data point to polysaline brines as ore‐forming fluids. The δD and δ¹⁸O values of ore fluids, cation compositions of fluid inclusions, and geological information suggest two main possible fluid sources, namely basinal brines and evaporated seawater. The fluid inclusion data and regional geology suggest that basinal brines derived from Tertiary basins located southeast of the Dongmozhazhua deposit migrated along deep detachment zones of the regional thrust system, leached substantial base metals from country rocks, and finally ascended along thrust faults at Dongmozhazhua. There, the base‐metal‐rich basinal brines mixed with bacterially‐reduced H₂S‐bearing fluids derived from evaporated seawater preserved in the Permo–Triassic carbonate strata. The mixing of the two fluids resulted in Pb–Zn mineralization. The Dongmozhazhua Pb–Zn deposit has many characteristics that are similar to MVT Pb–Zn deposits worldwide.     

From Predictive Mapping of Mineral Prospectivity to Quantitative Estimation of Number of Undiscovered Prospects

This paper proposes that the spatial pattern of known prospects of the deposit‐type sought is the key to link predictive mapping of mineral prospectivity (PMMP) and quantitative mineral resource assessment (QMRA). This proposition is demonstrated by PMMP for hydrothermal Au‐Cu deposits (HACD) and by estimating the number of undiscovered prospects for HACD in Catanduanes Island (Philippines). The results of analyses of the spatial pattern of known prospects of HACD and their spatial associations with geological features are consistent with existing knowledge of geological controls on hydrothermal Au‐Cu mineralization in the island and elsewhere, and are used to define spatial recognition criteria of regional‐scale prospectivity for HACD. Integration of layers of evidence representing the spatial recognition criteria of prospectivity via application of data‐driven evidential belief functions results in a map of prospective areas occupying 20% of the island with fitting‐ and prediction‐rates of 76% and 70%, respectively. The predictive map of prospective areas and a proxy measure for degrees of exploration based on the spatial pattern of known prospects of HACD were used in one‐level prediction of undiscovered mineral endowment, which yielded estimates of 79 to 112 undiscovered prospects of HACD. Application of radial‐density fractal analysis of the spatial pattern of known prospects of HACD results in an estimate of 113 undiscovered prospects of HACD. Thus, the results of the study support the proposition that PMMP can be a part of QMRA if the spatial pattern of discovered prospects of the deposit‐type sought is considered in both PMMP and QMRA.     

Distributed Space Segment for High Energy Astrophysics: Similarities And specificites

This paper analyses two height energy astrophysics missions, MAX and SIMBOL-X, which have been studied in CNES in the frame of a large formation flying study program. It is particularly interesting to notice that the scientific specifications of two different missions lead to the same engineering solutions for the whole mission aspects and then advocate for a similar space segment architecture and re-use of common elements, thus allowing potential cost reductions for a second mission.In deed, the same level of data to download and a similar signal-to-noise ratio requirements leads to the same orbit and communications system, the same level of pointing precision and distance inter satellites lead to the same formation flying Guidance Navigation and Command (GNC) architecture. At the end, the same level of mass and thermal constraints leads to the same range of platform and the same propulsion systems and finally to the same launcher.     

Using Rock‐Eval 6 pyrolysis for tracking fossil organic carbon in modern environments: implications for the roles of erosion and weathering

This work relates to the debate on the fossil organic carbon (FOC) input in modern environments and its possible implication for the carbon cycle, and suggests the use of Rock‐Eval 6 pyrolysis as a relevant tool for tracking FOC in such environments. Considering that such a delivery is mainly due to supergene processes affecting the continental surface, we studied organic matter in different reservoirs such as bedrocks, alterites, soils and rivers in two experimental catchments at Draix (Alpes de Haute Provence, France). Samples were subjected to geochemical (Rock‐Eval 6 pyrolysis) investigations and artificial bacterial degradations. After comparing the geochemical fingerprint of samples, geochemical markers of FOC were defined and tracked in the different reservoirs. Our results confirm the contribution of FOC in modern soils and rivers and display the various influences of weathering and erosional processes on the fate of FOC during its exchange between these pools. In addition, the contrasting behaviour of these markers upon the supergene processes has also highlighted the refractory or labile characters of the fossil organic matter (FOM). Bedrock to river fluxes, controlled by gully erosion, are characterized by a qualitative and quantitative preservation of FOM. Bedrock to alterite fluxes, governed by chemical weathering, are characterized by FOC mineralization without qualitative changes in deeper alterites. Alterite to soils fluxes, controlled by (bio)chemical weathering, are characterized by strong FOC mineralization and qualitative changes of FOM. Thus weathering and erosional processes induce different FOM evolution and affect the fate of FOC towards the global carbon cycle. In this study, gully erosion would involve maintenance of an ancient sink for the global carbon cycle, while (bio)chemical processes provide a source of CO₂. Finally, this study suggests that Rock‐Eval 6 pyrolysis can be considered as a relevant tool for tracking FOC in modern environments. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial and temporal analysis of observed trends in extreme precipitation events in different climatic zones of Nigeria

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The purpose of this study is to assess spatial and temporal changes in extreme precipitation events from 1983 to 2017 over different climatic regions of...     

New Discovery of Selenides in the Shiti Barite Deposit,Dabashan Region and its Geological Significances

The large-scale Shiti barite deposit of Shaanxi,being stratiform or stratoid in form,occurs in an early Paleozoic large witherite-barite metallogenic belt of southern Qinling region(China).The ore deposit,hosted in Lower Silurian Daguiping Formation,is composed of a series of carbonaceous chert,carbonaceous slate and carbonaceous sandstone,and is characterized by persistent syn-sedimentary ore beds.Barite,w itherite.barytocalcite and barite-witherite constitute the major ore minerals,with barite being the main one.     

Io’s atmosphere: Constraints on sublimation support from density variations on seasonal timescales using NASA IRTF/TEXES observations from 2001 to 2010

We present an analysis of 19 μm spectra of Io’s SO₂ atmosphere from the TEXES mid-infrared high spectral resolution spectrograph on NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility, incorporating new data taken between January 2005 and June 2010 and a re-analysis of earlier data taken from November 2001 to January 2004. This is the longest set of contiguous observations of Io’s atmosphere using the same instrument and technique thus far. We have fitted all 16 detected blended absorption lines of the ν₂ SO₂ vibrational band to retrieve the subsolar values of SO₂ column abundance and the gas kinetic temperature. By incorporating an existing model of Io’s surface temperatures and atmosphere, we retrieve sub-solar column densities from the disk-integrated data. Spectra from all years are best fit by atmospheric temperatures <150 K. Best-fit gas kinetic temperatures on the anti-Jupiter hemisphere, where SO₂ gas abundance is highest, are low and stable, with a mean of 108 (±18) K. The sub-solar SO₂ column density between longitudes of 90–220° varies from a low of 0.61 (±0.145) × 10^?17 cm^?2, near aphelion in 2004, to a high of 1.51 (±0.215) × 10¹⁷ cm^?2 in 2010 when Jupiter was approaching its early 2011 perihelion. No correlation in the gas temperature was seen with the increasing SO₂ column densities outside the errors.Assuming that any volcanic component of the atmosphere is constant with time, the correlation of increasing SO₂ abundance with decreasing heliocentric distance provides good evidence that the atmosphere is at least partially supported by frost sublimation. The SO₂ frost thermal inertias and albedos that fit the variation in atmospheric density best are between 150–1250 W m^?2 s^?1/2 K^?1 and 0.613–0.425 respectively. Photometric evidence favors albedos near the upper end of this range, corresponding to thermal inertias near the lower end. This relatively low frost thermal inertia produces larger amplitude seasonal variations than are observed, which in turn implies a substantial additional volcanic atmospheric component to moderate the amplitude of the seasonal variations of the total atmosphere on the anti-Jupiter hemisphere. The seasonal thermal inertia we measure is unique both because it refers exclusively to the SO₂ frost surface component, and also because it refers to relatively deep subsurface layers (few meters) due to the timescales of many years, while previous studies have determined thermal inertias at shallower levels (few centimeters), relevant for timescales of ～2 h (eclipse) or ～2 days (diurnal curves).     

GIS derived synthetic rating curves and HAND model to support on-the-fly flood mapping

Natural Hazards - Acknowledging the devastating consequences of past earthquakes, current research efforts focus on the development of tools for assessing and controlling the risk and losses...     

Richardson number profiles through shear instability wave regions observed in the lower planetary boundary layer

Remote sensing of the lower planetary boundary layer in the vicinity of a meteorological tower on many occasions reveals the existence of shear instability (Kelvin-Helmholtz) waves. In general, such waves are found within shallow strata which are marked by strong thermal stability and large vertical wind shear. The independent and concurrent measurements of the vector wind and temperature, made on a 152-m high tower, allow the construction of wind and temperature profiles. From such measurements, the Richardson number profile is constructed as well as the instability regime according to Drazin's criterion. The results show that regions of shear-instability waves as depicted by the remote sensor (an acoustic sounder) agree well with Drazin's instability regime, and that within such regions the Richardson number is indeed 0.25.