Premier pôle paléomagnétique,d'âge Moscovien contraint par un test du pli,obtenu dans le bassin d'Illizi (Craton saharien,Algérie)First palaeomagnetic pole,of Moscovian age constrained by a fold test,in the Illizi Basin (Saharan Craton,Algeria)

Palaeomagnetic study, carried out in the Moscovian (～305 Ma) formation in the Edjeleh anticline, shows the existence of three magnetisation components. Two of them are probably Cenozoic and Permian remagnetisations. The third component determined by both well defined ChRMs and remagnetisation circles analysis passes the fold test. Because the folding started before or during the Stephano-Autunian, this third component is the primary magnetisation. Its palaeomagnetic pole (28.3°S, 58.9°E), close to other poles from the Saharan platform obtained from neighbouring periods but without palaeomagnetic tests, confirms the age of these last data. To cite this article: B. Bayou et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 81–87.     

Inverted basin analysis and geological modeling, Razzak Oil Field, Western Desert, Egypt

This paper deals with a geological modeling based on seismic and well data of the Razzak Oil Field, located in northwestern desert of Egypt aimed mainly at improving the knowledge on inversion tectonics in the sedimentary basin corresponding to the oil field. Contour maps of significant seismic horizons corresponding to the top of Meso-Cenozoic formations which represent the stratigraphic traps of the oil field (top Apollonia, top Abu Roash “G,” top Bahariya, and top Alamein) are presented. The final model consists of geological cross-sections showing the inversion basin in the Razzak Oil Field. From the seismic data interpretation and modeling, we have different results matching with regional tectonic and transcurrent motion model. There are two main fault trends: the first one was northeast–southwest matching the Jurassic rift where the Jurassic is characterized by normal faults that formed in conjunction with the opening of the Neo-Tethys, and the other fault trend is northwest–southeast matching with Cretaceous faults. This is followed by a period of compressive tectonism (Syrian Arc deformation) in which two of the Jurassic normal faulted blocks (one at the northern part and the other at the southern part of the Qattara–Alamein ridge in the Razzak field) are reactivated as reverse faulted by Eocene–Early Oligocene time.     

Use of satellite data and GIS for assessing the agricultural potentiality of the soils South Farafra Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Overpopulation and food security are the main global problems alert decision makers. In developing countries, such problem put extra pressure for horizontal expansion for agricultural development. The rapid sprawl of urbanized areas on the alluvial land of the River Nile and delta to accommodate the population growth has encouraged governmental and private sector for agricultural expansion in the desert. Unless there are reliable information and accurate studies for land and soil suitability, there will be a collapse of such investment. To evaluate the potential suitability of soil for agriculture development in areas of the western desert, satellite images, geographic information, and field survey including soil profiles and artesian water samples with laboratory analysis were integrated to classify the soils according their suitability for specific crop. The main land qualities of the different mapping units and the crop requirement were rated and matched to obtain the current and potential land suitability using Automated Land Evaluation System “ALES”. The study found that the main physiographic units are plateaus, hilland, mountain, and depression floor. But there are three limiting parameters for land suitability which are the lack of nutrient elements, wind erosion vulnerability, and soil texture. The study concluded that the best crops adapted with the soil conditions and could be feasible for economic use are: (1) native vegetation such as agol, sand trees, sammar, halfaa, bawaal, qordaob, bardi, and qortom; (2) filed crops such as onion, garlic, watermelon and wheat; and (3) fruits such as olive and date palms.     

The use of three physico-chemical methods in the study of the organic matter associated with the sedimentary phosphorites in Djebel Onk Basin, Algeria

The study of the organic matter (OM) associated with the phosphate ore of Kef Essennoun deposit (Djebel Onk mining basin, Algeria) was with a view to determine the decomposition degree of the OM within the pellets and the matrix, and the conditions of diagenesis. The sedimentary phosphates of this deposit are constituted of sub-rounded, phosphate-rich grains (pellets) dispersed in a surrounding, much poorer than pellets in P, matrix (or gangue). The survey of the OM associated with both pellets and matrix used several types of analyses: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results show the OM, dispersed approximately homogeneously, in the form of large flat particles, within the gangue and within the phosphatic pellets in the form of small particles. The O/C ratio showed that the OM is more oxidised in the matrix than within the pellets. The oxidation increased with the phosphatisation rate of the pellets and more with the carbonation rate of the matrix, but it decreased with the silicification degree in the siliceous carbonated matrix. Two major functional classes were distinguished within pellets: aliphatic and oxygenated ones, the latter being fundamentally present in humic OM. The presence and abundance of these humic compounds in pelletal phosphorites are known from the 1980s and considered as witnessing a formation of apatite in a strictly closed environment, inside the pellet.     

Modeling of limestone aquifer in the western part of the River Nile between Beni Suef and El Minia

A robust classification scheme for partitioning groundwater chemistry into homogeneous groups was an important tool for the characterization of Eocene limestone aquifer. The aquifer locally is composed of chalky limestone with thin clay intercalated (Samalut Fm.), the fissures, the joints, and the fractures are represented the conduits of the aquifer system. The flow patterns are conditioned by karstification processes which develop a conduit network and preserve low permeability microfractured blocks. The aquifer is mainly recharged by surrounding aquifers and agricultural wastewaters. The groundwater flows in the eastern part (due the Bahr Yossef and River Nile), which is a discharge area rather than a recharge. Twenty-eight groundwater samples was collected from the Eocene limestone aquifer and analyzed for isotopes, major, and trace elements. δD and δ¹⁸O concentrations ranged widely due to geology, infiltration of different surface waters, evaporation, and hydrogeology. The concentration of δD and δ¹⁸O isotopes is depleted in the northern zone of the northern part and western zone of the central and southern part of the study area. They are enriched due the eastern area of the central and southern part of the study area. δD vs. δ¹⁸O delineate the Pleistocene aquifer and has a strong influence than other waters on aquifer hydrogeochemistry. It is confirmed by the AquaChem outputs of the mixing proportions of different water types included in the aquifer system. Cl-δD and Cl-δ¹⁸O relationships indicate the role of evaporation especially due the eastern area of the central and southern part of the study area. This research tests the performance of the many available graphical and statistical methodologies used to classify water samples. R-mode clustering, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis were investigated. All the methods were discussed and compared as to their ability to cluster, ease of use, and ease of interpretation. Nearly most low-salinity waters are in equilibrium to supersaturate with respect to both carbonate minerals, while it is shifted to undersaturate with salinity. The inverse modeling findings clarify that the calcite, gypsum, and anhydrite dissolution increased due the northeastern area, middle zone, and southern corner of the northern, central, and southern part of the study area, respectively. The latter areas also were characterized by the lowest precipitation of the dolomite. Such areas are distinguished by much more enhancement for aquifer permeability and therefore transmissivity. The latter areas can be use as injection zone by fresh water. It can be a triple function; firstly, it recharges the saline Eocene limestone aquifer through the enhancement hydraulic conductivity and dilutes it. Secondly, it enhances much more the aquifer permeability and therefore the transmissivity. The Eocene limestone aquifer can be improved in quality and quantity by using such a model and exploits it as an alternative water resource with Quaternary aquifer and Nile water. Thirdly, it irrigates more areas to increase the income/capita. The dedolomitization represents the main hydrogeochemical process in the aquifer system. The geomedia (limestone, clay, marl, shale, and sand deposits) are in contact with water, therefore, the rock/water interaction, mixing, and ion exchange were estimated by the geochemical evolution of the groundwater systems.     

Katol meteorite shower, Maharashtra: A preliminary study

A meteorite shower occurred in Katol (21° 15′ 30″ N; 78° 35′ 00″ E; at an elevation of 415 m above msl), Nagpur district of Maharashtra state, India on May 22, 2012 between 14:00 to 14:30 hrs (Indian Standard Time) with a presently observed strewn field of ～5.0 sq km area. The event was experienced by the hundreds of inhabitants with a loud noise and fire ball between Akola in the west to Nagpur in the east. The Geological Survey of India has so far collected 27 meteorite pieces with a total weight of 3500 gm. The locations, size, shape and surface features of the individual meteorite pieces have been recorded. Based on their physical properties, mineralogy, mineral chemical mapping and REE chemistry, the Katol meteorites have been classified as olivine-rich H5 type differentiated stony meteorite with reconstituted chondrules. The preliminary evidence suggests the presence of pre-solar grains in Katol meteorite.     

Nature of serpentinization and carbonation of ophiolitic peridotites (Eastern Desert,Egypt): constrains from stable isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry

Serpentinites are widespread in the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) of the Eastern Desert of Egypt and usually enclose a tremendous carbonate alteration. Combined investigation of the stable isotope compositions of both O-H in serpentines and O-C in the whole-rock and the chemistry of the fluid-mobile elements (FMEs) in whole-rock serpentinites from Wadi (W.) Alam, Gabal (G.) El-Maiyit, and W. Atalla (Eastern Desert of Egypt) allowed to better understand the subsequent fluid sources of serpentinization and carbonation, as well as impact of these processes on the geochemistry of protolith ultramafic rocks. δ ¹⁸O values of W. Alam and W. Atalla serpentine minerals are close to the unaltered mantle and propose a lower temperature serpentinization if compared with those of G. El-Maiyit rocks. Moreover, δD values of W. Alam and W. Atalla serpentines (? 94 to ? 65‰) correspond to an igneous source that might be hydrothermal solutions mixed with the seawater in the mid-ocean ridge-arc transition setting. On the other hand, G. El-Maiyit serpentine is more depleted in ¹⁸O (with lower δ ¹⁸O values = 4.08–4.85‰), and its δD values (? 73 to 56 ‰) are most probably caused by an interaction with metamorphic fluids, acquired during on-land emplacement of oceanic peridotites or during burial in fore-arc setting. In addition, the oceanic oxygen isotope composition of most studied ophiolitic serpentinites points to the preservation of the pre-obduction δ ¹⁸O signatures and thus local-scale fluid flow at low water/rock ratios. Serpentinization fluids were CO₂-poor and the carbonation of the serpentinites resulted from infiltration of externally derived fluids. δ ¹⁸O_VSMOW values of carbonates in the studied serpentinites vary between heavier oxygen isotope composition in G. El-Maiyit samples (av. = 25.32‰) to lighter composition in W. Alam samples (av. = 19.43‰). However, δ ¹³C values of all serpentinites point mantle source of carbon. This source might have been evolved in mid-ocean ridge (W. Atalla) and subduction zone (W. Alam and G. El-Maiyit) settings. The studied serpentinites are usually enriched in FMEs, particularly Pb, Sr, Cs, and U. These enrichments were most probably the result of serpentinization and/or carbonation.     

Mapping coastal erosion at the Nile Delta western promontory using Landsat imagery

A set of six Landsat satellite images with 5–9 years apart was used in a post-classification analysis to map changes occurred at Rosetta promontory between 1973 and 2008 due to coastal erosion. Spectral information were extracted from two multi-spectral scanner (MSS) images (1973 and 1978), three thematic mapper (TM) images (1984, 1990, and 1999), and one enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) image (2008). To estimate the quantity of land loss in terms of coastal erosion, a supervised classification scheme was applied to each image to highlight only two classes: seawater and land. The area of each class was then estimated from the number of pixels pertaining to this class in every image. In addition, the shoreline position was digitized to address retreat/advance pattern throughout the study period. Results showed that Rosetta promontory had lost 12.29 km² of land between 1973 and 2008 and the shoreline withdrew southward about 3.5 km due to coastal erosion. Most land loss and shoreline retreat occurred between 1973 and 1978 (0.55 km²/year and 132 m/year, respectively). Coastal protection structures were constructed successively at the promontory. These structures have considerably contributed to reduce coastal erosion; however, they promoted downdrift erosion.