Empirical correlations of soil parameters based on Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) for Greek soils

This study presents the results of Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) and estimated correlations with the results of other in-situ tests (standard penetration test, cross-hole, seismocone) and laboratory tests (classification and undrained shear strength tests). These tests cover nearly all types of penetrable soils in Greece and, together with the formulation of empirical correlations, complement and improve on previous studies due to the significant number of CPT measurements.     

Kinetic model of carbonate dissolution in Martian meteorite ALH84001

The magnetites and sulfides located in the rims of carbonate globules in the Martian meteorite ALH84001 have been claimed as evidence of past life on Mars. Here, we consider the possibility that the rims were formed by dissolution and reprecipitation of the primary carbonate by the action of water. To estimate the rate of these solution-precipitation reactions, a kinetic model of magnesite-siderite carbonate dissolution was applied and used to examine the physicochemical conditions under which these rims might have formed. The results indicate that the formation of the rims could have taken place in < 50 yr of exposure to small amounts of aqueous fluids at ambient temperatures. Plausible conditions pertaining to reactions under a hypothetical ancient Martian atmosphere (1 bar CO₂), the modern Martian atmosphere (8 mbar CO₂), and the present terrestrial atmosphere (0.35 mbar CO₂) were explored to constrain the site of the process. The results indicated that such reactions likely occurred under the latter two conditions. The possibility of Antarctic weathering must be entertained, which, if correct, would imply that the plausibly biogenic minerals (single-domain magnetite of characteristic morphology and sulfide) reported from the rims may be the products of terrestrial microbial activity. This model is discussed in terms of the available isotope data and found to be compatible with the formation of ALH84001 rims. Particularly, anticorrelated variations of radiocarbon with δ¹³C indicate that carbonate in ALH84001 was affected by solution-precipitation reactions immediately after its initial fall (∼13,000 yr ago) and then again during its recent exposure prior to collection.     

Supersaturation functions in binary solid solution-aqueous solution systems

In this paper, we present a brief review of the thermodynamic equilibrium of binary solid solution-aqueous solution (SS-AS) systems and derive an expression that allows us to evaluate the supersaturation or undersaturation of a given aqueous solution with respect to the whole range of solid compositions: the δ(x) function. Such an expression is based on the two conditions that define the SS-AS thermodynamic equilibrium. The derivation of the new supersaturation function, δ(x), was made by considering in detail the compositional relationships between solid and aqueous phases. To represent the new formulation on Lippmann diagrams, we have defined a new thermodynamic concept: the “actual activity.” In addition, we show how our supersaturation function behaves for both ideal and subregular solid solutions. The behaviour and applicability of both the δ(x) function and a previous supersaturation function, β(x), defined by Prieto et al. (1993), is discussed.     

Thermodynamic properties of the Sb(III) hydroxide complex Sb(OH)3(aq) at hydrothermal conditions

The standard thermodynamic properties and Helgeson-Kirkham-Flowers (HKF) parameters for Sb(OH)_3(aq) have been estimated. For this purpose, the available solubility data for senarmontite, valentinite, stibnite, and native Sb in a wide range of temperatures (15 to 450°C) and pressures (1 to 1000 bar), and thermodynamic properties of Sb oxides (senarmontite and valentinite) have been critically analyzed. Published data were complimented by results from new experiments performed by solubility and solid-state galvanic cell methods. Both experimental data and thermodynamic calculations show that the hydroxide complex Sb(OH)_3(aq) is primarily responsible for hydrothermal transport of antimony, especially at temperatures above 250°C.     

Heterogeneous electron-transfer kinetics with synchrotron Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

In the first known kinetic application of the technique, synchrotron ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to follow the rate of heterogeneous electron transfer between aqueous reagents and a solid phase containing Fe. The solid, a synthetic ⁵⁷Fe-enriched Fe(III)-bearing pyroaurite-like phase having terephthalate (TA) in the interlayer [Mg₃Fe(OH)₈(TA)_0.5 · 2H₂O], was reduced by Na₂S₂O₄ and then reoxidized by K₂Cr₂O₇ by means of a novel flow-through cell. Synchrotron Mössbauer spectra were collected in the time domain at 30-s intervals. Integration of the intensity obtained during a selected time interval in the spectra allowed sensitive determination of Fe(II) content as a function of reaction time. Analysis of reaction end member specimens by both the synchrotron technique and conventional Mössbauer spectroscopy yielded comparable values for Mössbauer parameters such as center shift and Fe(II)/Fe(III) area ratios. Slight differences in quadrupole splitting values were observed, however. A reactive diffusion model was developed that fit the experimental Fe(II) kinetic data well and allowed the extraction of second-order rate constants for each reaction. Thus, in addition to rapidly collecting high quality Mössbauer data, the synchrotron technique seems well suited for aqueous rate experiments as a result of the penetrating power of 14.4 keV X-rays and high sensitivity to Fe valence state.     

The Upper Neoproterozoic-Lower Cambrian of the Central Iberian Zone, Spain: chemical and isotopic (Sm-Nd) evidence that the sedimentary succession records an inverted stratigraphy of its source

The Upper Neoproterozoic-Lower Cambrian sedimentary succession in the Central Iberian Zone has recently been divided into 12 sedimentary units (I to XII). Units I to IV are of Late Neoproterozoic age, and units V to XII are Early Cambrian.Throughout the stratigraphic section, shales with similar ranges of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ have TiO₂ and Zr contents that are coupled and vary gradually from the bottom (unit I, TiO₂ = 1.0-1.1%, Zr = 245-287 ppm) to the top (unit XII, TiO₂ = 0.74-0.86%, Zr = 141-192 ppm). These two parameters clearly distinguish Upper Neoproterozoic from Lower Cambrian compositions, as do certain elemental ratios (Al₂O₃/TiO₂, Rb/Zr, Nb/Ti), which vary from low values at the bottom of the section to high at the top. However, other elements (the rare earth elements [REEs], Y) do not fit this general trend, with heavy REEs and Y showing extreme concentrations in some Lower Cambrian units, which also have negative Ce anomalies.Units I to III and units XI to XII have uniform T_DM neodymium model ages (∼1.1 and 1.7 Ga, respectively), but the units between these two groups have erratic values between 1.4 Ga (unit VII) and 3.4 Ga (unit VIII). Thus, the bottom and top units have neodymium isotope ratios that indicate the presence of two source compositions: a composition that records a juvenile contribution younger than 1.1 Ga and a composition mainly derived from an old basement. Some samples from Lower Cambrian units have disturbed REE abundances and neodymium isotope ratios that are attributed to extensive chemical alteration that resulted in REE and Y redistribution. This alteration probably affected the material now preserved as unit IV during a period of relative sea level fall at the end of the Late Neoproterozoic. Both elemental and isotopic results support the suggestion that the Upper Neoproterozoic-Lower Cambrian stratigraphic section records an inverse stratigraphy of a source hinterland composed of a cover sequence of relatively juvenile crustal materials underlain by an older basement. Through time, the deeper crust gradually increased its contribution to the sediments in the basin from Late Neoproterozoic to Lower Cambrian times. These results are compatible with data from many other European zones.     

Geoid determination using adapted reference field, seismic Moho depths and variable density contrast

 The traditional remove-restore technique for geoid computation suffers from two main drawbacks. The first is the assumption of an isostatic hypothesis to compute the compensation masses. The second is the double consideration of the effect of the topographic–isostatic masses within the data window through removing the reference field and the terrain reduction process. To overcome the first disadvantage, the seismic Moho depths, representing, more or less, the actual compensating masses, have been used with variable density anomalies computed by employing the topographic–isostatic mass balance principle. In order to avoid the double consideration of the effect of the topographic–isostatic masses within the data window, the effect of these masses for the used fixed data window, in terms of potential coefficients, has been subtracted from the reference field, yielding an adapted reference field. This adapted reference field has been used for the remove–restore technique. The necessary harmonic analysis of the topographic–isostatic potential using seismic Moho depths with variable density anomalies is given. A wide comparison among geoids computed by the adapted reference field with both the Airy–Heiskanen isostatic model and seismic Moho depths with variable density anomaly and a geoid computed by the traditional remove–restore technique is made. The results show that using seismic Moho depths with variable density anomaly along with the adapted reference field gives the best relative geoid accuracy compared to the GPS/levelling geoid. Received: 3 October 2001 / Accepted: 20 September 2002 Correspondence to: H.A. Abd-Elmotaal     

Dleineation and characterization of geomorphological features in a part of lower maharahstra metamorphic plateau using IRS-ID LISS-III Data

In the present study, an attempt has been made to delineate and characterize the different geomorphic units of Tundiya river catchment in a part of Lower Maharahstra Metamorphic Plateau, north-eastern part of Nagpur district, Maharashtra. The drainage, contour and delineated geological units have been overlaid on IRS-ID LISS III satellite imagery (bands 2,3 and 4) in EASI/PACE analysis system to delineate and characterize different geomorphological units and analysis of their processes based on the field observations. The study area is basically of metamorphic in origin with different geological formations and is influenced by the various fluvio-morphological processes. Based on the satellite data analysis, the distinct geomorphological units viz., table top summits, structural hills, subdued plateau, linear ridges, shallow, moderate and deeply buried foot slopes, shallow valley fills and deep valley fills have been delineated and characterized. The information generated from satellite data in the form of vector layers has been used in GIS to generate geological and geomorphological maps of the study area. The present study demonstrates that IRS-ID LISS-III data in conjunction with geology, drainage and contour parameters to enable detailed evaluation of different geomorphological units and analysis of their processes based on the field observations. The delineated geomorphological units can be utilized for evaluation and management of natural resources and geo-environment on sustainable basis at river catchment level.