Sulphur solubility in andesitic to basaltic melts: implications for Hekla volcano

The solubility of sulphur in sulphide-saturated, H₂O-bearing basaltic–andesitic and basaltic melts from Hekla volcano (Iceland) has been determined experimentally at 1,050°C, 300 and 200 MPa, and redox conditions with oxygen fugacity (logfO₂) between QFM−1.2 and QFM+1.1 (QFM is a quartz–fayalite–magnetite oxygen buffer) in the systems containing various amounts of S and H₂O. The S content of the H₂O-rich glasses saturated with pyrrhotite decreases from 2,500 ppm in basalt to 1,500 ppm in basaltic andesite at the investigated conditions. Furthermore, the reduction of water content in the melt at pyrrhotite saturation and fixed T, P and redox conditions leads to a decrease in S concentration from 2,500 to 1,400 ppm for basaltic experiments (for H₂O decrease from 7.8 to 1.4 wt%) and from 1,500 to 900 ppm (for H₂O decrease from 6.7 to 1.7 wt%) for basaltic andesitic experiments. Our experimental data, combined with silicate melt inclusion investigations and the available models on sulphide saturation in mafic magmas, indicate that the parental basaltic melts of Hekla were not saturated with respect to sulphide. During magmatic differentiation, the S content in the residual melts increased and might have reached sulphide saturation with 2,500 ppm dissolved S. With further magma crystallization, the S concentration in the melt was controlled by the sulphide saturation of the magma, decreasing from ~2,500 to 900 ppm S.     

Baossi–Warack monogenetic volcanoes,Adamawa Plateau,Cameroon: petrography,mineralogy and geochemistry

Acta Geochimica - Three monogenetic cones in the Baossi–Warack area, Ngaoundéré, Adamawa Plateau forming part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) are documented in this study....     

Magma storage conditions and differentiation of the mafic Lower Pollara volcanics,Salina Island,Aeolian Islands,Italy: implications for the formation conditions of shoshonites and potassic rocks

Crystallization experiments of basaltic andesite mafic endmember from the 24 ka Lower Pollara eruption (Salina, Aeolian Islands, Italy) were investigated at 200 MPa, 950–1100 °C, in the H₂O activity (aH₂O) range ~0.3 to 1, and at two ranges of oxygen fugacity (fO₂) between ~FMQ to FMQ+1 and ~FMQ+2 to FMQ+3.3 (log bars, FMQ is fayalite-magnetite-quartz). Comparison of the produced phase assemblages and phase compositions with the natural sample reveals that the storage conditions were ~1050 °C, ~2.8 wt% H₂O in the melt (aH₂O ~0.5), and relatively oxidizing (~FMQ+2.5). The composition of plagioclase in the groundmass indicates a period of cooling to ≤950 °C. The overall differentiation trends of the Salina volcanics can be explained by fractional crystallization close to H₂O saturated conditions (~5 wt% H₂O in the melt at 200 MPa) and most likely by accumulation of plagioclase, i.e., in basaltic andesites, and by various degree of mixing–mingling between the corresponding differentiates. The slightly elevated K₂O contents of the most mafic basaltic andesites that can be found in the lowermost unit of the Lower Pollara pyroclastics reveal earlier processes of moderately hydrous fractional crystallization at higher temperature (>~1050 °C). Fractional crystallization with decreasing influence of H₂O causes a moderate decrease of MgO and a significant increase of K₂O relative to SiO₂ in the residual liquids. It is exemplarily shown that the crystallization of SiO₂-rich phases at high temperature and low aH₂O of only moderately K₂O-rich calc-alkaline basalts can produce shoshonitic and high potassic rocks similar to those of Stromboli and Volcano. This suggests that the observed transition from calc-alkaline to shoshonitic and high potassic volcanism at the Aeolian Arc over time can be initiated by a general increase of magmatic temperatures and a decrease of aH₂O in response to the extensional tectonics and related increase of heat flow and declining influence of slab-derived fluids.     

Influence of Random Inclusion of Synthetic Wicks Fibers of Hair on the Behavior of Clayey Soils

Several soil improvement methods are used to enhance the engineering properties of soil, among which, reinforcement by fibers is considered as an effective ground improvement method because of its cost effectiveness, and easy adaptability. The present investigation chooses synthetic wick and vinifera raphia fibers as reinforcement. The synthetic wick fiber was randomly included into the soil at four different percentages i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6% by volume of raw soil. Vinifera raphia fiber was used at one percentage (4%) as control. The main objective of this research is to focus on the strength behavior of clayey soil reinforced with randomly included synthetic wick fiber. The physical and mineralogical characterization was carried out on ten soil samples. The compression, flexion, abrasion, water absorption and capillarity tests were performed on synthetic wick reinforced specimens with various fiber contents. The results of these tests have clearly shown an improvement in the compression strength values from 1.65 to 2.84 MPa for the wicks fibers, and the flexural strength values which varied between 1.08 and 1.96 MPa. Hence, the waste of synthetic wick fibers is therefore an efficient reinforcement for compressed earth blocks, which are very significant for construction of durable and economic infrastructures.     

Monitoring water flow in a clay-shale hillslope from geophysical data fusion based on a fuzzy logic approach

Seismic and electrical resistivity tomography allow subsurface characterization from acoustic P-waves (Vp), shear S-waves (Vs) velocities, and electrical resistivity (ρ). Both geophysical methods were used to monitor water flow during a controlled rainfall experiment on a clay-shale hillslope located in the Laval catchment at Draix (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France). The objectives of the rainfall experiment were to analyse the water infiltration processes and identify possible water pathways by combining multi-method observations. The seismic data provide information on fissure density and the electrical resistivity data provide information on soil water content within the hillslope. Changes of the Vp and electrical resistivity fields with time show some similar pattern. To go further in the analysis of the water flow a geophysical data fusion strategy based on fuzzy set theory is applied. The computed fuzzy cross-sections based on expert hypotheses show the possibility for the material to be saturated during the rainfall experiment. The data fusion process is repeated in time for each acquisition set. The relative difference between the obtained fuzzy cross-sections is calculated and reveals possible locations where water may be transferred within the hillslope.     

Thermal decomposition process in algaenan of Botryococcus braunii race L. Part 2: Molecular dynamics simulations using the ReaxFF reactive force field

This paper reports ReaxFF MD simulation results on pyrolysis of a molecular model of the algaenan Botryococcus braunii race L biopolymer, specifically, ReaxFF predictions on the pyrolysis of prototypical chemical structures involving aliphatic chain esters and aldehydes. These preliminary computational experiments are then used to analyze the thermal cracking process within algaenan race L biopolymers. The simulations indicate that the thermal decomposition of the algaenan biopolymer is initiated by the cleavage of a C–O bond in the ester group, followed by the release of carbon dioxide. We also observe a significant, strongly temperature dependent, release of ethylene. This degradation mechanism leads to products similar to those observed in pyrolysis experiments, validating this computational approach.     

Early maturation processes in coal. Part 1: Pyrolysis mass balance and structural evolution of coalified wood from the Morwell Brown Coal seam

We have developed a theoretical approach for evaluating the maturation of kerogen-like material, involving molecular dynamic reactive modelling with a reactive force field to simulate thermal stress. Morwell Brown Coal was selected to study the thermal evolution of terrestrial organic matter (OM). To achieve this, a structural model is first constructed on the basis of literature models and analytical characterization of our samples using modern 1and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Then, artificial maturation of the coal is performed at low conversion in order to obtain quantitative and qualitative detailed evidence for the structural evolution of the kerogen upon maturation. The chemical changes include defunctionalization of carboxyl, carbonyl and methoxy functional groups, coupled with an increase in cross linking in the residual matured kerogen. Gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, essentially CH₄, C₄H₈ and C₁₄₊ hydrocarbons, are generated in low amount, merely via cleavage of the lignin side chain.     

Thermal decomposition processes in algaenan of Botryococcus braunii race L. Part 1: Experimental data and structural evolution

The thermal reactivity of organic matter in source rocks is usually kinetically represented by a set of parallel and independent first order reactions. The approach assumes that only defunctionalisation reactions take place upon thermal decomposition, regardless of the chemical nature of kerogen. We have developed a new method for evaluating maturation pathways for an important kerogen-forming geopolymer, algaenan from the alga Botryococcus braunii (B. braunii), involving molecular dynamic reactive modelling based on quantum mechanics to reproduce maturation. To achieve this, a structural model is first constructed on the basis of models from the literature and analytical characterization of our samples using modern 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and elemental analysis (EA). Then, thermal decomposition of the algaenan is performed at low conversion in order to describe the initial transformations analytically. In an additional step, the observed chemical changes are quantitatively and qualitatively compared to simulated maturation from the molecular models. From this simulated maturation detailed reaction schemes are extracted for primary cracking mechanisms.