Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of iron-rich rocks and their significance in exploration for massive sulfide deposits, Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada

About 25 economically significant, Kuroko-type massive sulfide bodies lie in a metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary complex (probable Middle Ordovician) known as Tetagouche Group, in Bathurst area, New Brunswick. Despite unresolved structural complexities, it does appear that they were deposited during a particular phase of volcanic activity and are, therefore, contemporaneous. Most of the sulfide bodies are closely associated with iron-rich rocks representing various facies of iron formation, and together with sulfides it constitutes the “ore horizon‘ which, therefore, is highly magnetic. Aero-magnetic and ground-magnetic techniques are useful to locate the ore horizon but problems are created because of the occurrence of iron-rich rocks with no sulfide, along another horizon in the Tetagouche Group.Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of various types of iron-rich rocks have been studied to see if the iron-rich rocks of the ore horizon can be distinguished from the iron-rich rocks of the other horizon. The iron-rich rocks found in the Tetagouche Group can be classified into five types: (1) cherty magnetitic rocks; (2) iron-rich chloritic rocks; (3) sideritic rocks; (4) basic iron formation; and (5) maroon shale. The basic iron formation, which is quite magnetic, gives a false indication of the ore horizon wherein the presence of any of the first three types of rocks is expected. Moreover, the basic iron formation is generally similar in appearance and mineralogy to some of the cherty magnetitic and chloritic rocks.Regarding major element composition, TiO₂, Na₂O, Al₂O₃ and CaO are higher whereas Fe₂O₃, FeO and MnO are lower in the basic iron formation than in the other iron-rich rocks. These geochemical characteristics can help distinguish the barren rocks of the basic iron formation from those of the ore horizon during the exploration programs.     

Cadmium (Cd) concentration in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>) grown in Cd-spiked soil varies with the doses and biochar feedstock

Biochar is considered a promising amendment for the reduction of metal concentration in plants; however, the effects of biochar in terms of dose and feedstock on metal uptake by plants remain widely unclear. In the current study, three individual biochars were prepared at 450 °C from different feedstocks (wheat straw, sukh chain (Pongamia pinnata), and cotton sticks). The main aim was to evaluate their ability to remediate cadmium (Cd)-spiked soil in terms of growth response and Cd uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) tissues. Biochars were separately applied at 0, 1, and 2% (w/w) in Cd-spiked soil and wheat was grown until maturity in pots and then morphological and physiological parameters and Cd concentrations in grains, roots, and shoots were determined. The post-harvest soil was analyzed for extractable Cd concentrations. Plants grown in Cd-spiked soil treated with biochars had higher seed germination, lengths of roots, shoots, and spikes, grains per spike and leaf relative water contents, chlorophyll contents, and dry weight of roots, shoots, and grains as compared to the untreated control. Biochar treatments significantly decreased the Cd concentrations in shoots, roots, and grains as well as total Cd uptake by grains. Soil extractable Cd concentrations were significantly decreased with biochar treatments. The application of 2.0% wheat straw biochar was the most efficient treatment in increasing grain yield and decreasing Cd in grains as well as soil extractable Cd than the other two biochars and doses applied.     

An evaluation of structural analyses of discontinuities in carbonate rock

The main goal of the study was to compare two methods of structural analysis, based on different principles: an engineering method and the Eraso method. The first one was developed with the intention of studying geotechnical and hydraulic properties on freshly exposed rock surfaces, while the second one is based on microtectonic analysis and is mainly applied on surface outcrops. Structural analysis of discontinuities in fractured and karstified rock at one experimental field site in Slovenia was performed. Measurements were carried out on surface outcrops and in an underground artificial tunnel, twice in two different seasons (autumn 1999 and summer 1996), but by the same personnel. Both methods were found to be more or less repeatable and applicable both on the surface outcrops (weathered rock) and on freshly excavated rock surfaces (artificial tunnels and quarries), and on a macroscale. The results have shown that we can infer from the macroscale data set to the (regional) mega-scale. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Macrophytes’ Performance in Floating Treatment Wetlands for the Remediation of Ciprofloxacin-Contaminated Water

The presence of trace antibiotics in domestic and industrial effluents poses a risk of toxicity to fauna and flora. The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is a low-cost and sustainable approach to remediate wastewater. In this study, the performance of different macrophytes vegetated in FTWs for the remediation of ciprofloxacin (CIP)-contaminated water is investigated. Six macrophytes, Brachia mutica, Typha domingensis, Phragmites australis, Canna indica, Cyperus laevigatus, and Leptochloa fusca, are vegetated in FTWs for the removal of CIP (50 mg L⁻¹) from water. The FTWs show the potential to remove 30–43.58 mg L⁻¹ CIP from water in 28 days. They also reduce the chemical oxygen demand (118–138 mg L⁻¹) and biochemical oxygen demand (35–45 mg L⁻¹) of water. Among the macrophytes, C. indica removes maximum (43.58 mg L⁻¹) and T. domingensis minimum (30 mg L⁻¹) CIP. Canna indica and T. domingensis exhibit the maximum and minimum increase (30% and 12% of dry biomass) in growth, respectively. This study reveals that the FTWs vegetated with different plant species exhibit varying performances in removing CIP from water. This investigation is a step forward toward sustainable bioremediation of water contaminated with antibiotics.     

Comparison of SPT and <Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis><Subscript>s</Subscript>-based liquefaction analyses: a case study in Erciş (Van,Turkey)

Liquefaction which is one of the most destructive ground deformations occurs during an earthquake in saturated or partially saturated silty and sandy soils, which may cause serious damages such as settlement and tilting of structures due to shear strength loss of soils. Standard (SPT) and cone (CPT) penetration tests as well as the shear wave velocity (V _s)-based methods are commonly used for the determination of liquefaction potential. In this research, it was aimed to compare the SPT and V _s-based liquefaction analysis methods by generating different earthquake scenarios. Accordingly, the Erci? residential area, which was mostly affected by the 2011 Van earthquake (M _w = 7.1), was chosen as the model site. Erci? (Van, Turkey) and its surroundings settle on an alluvial plain which consists of silty and sandy layers with shallow groundwater level. Moreover, Çald?ran, Erci?–Kocap?nar and Van Fault Zones are the major seismic sources of the region which have a significant potential of producing large magnitude earthquakes. After liquefaction assessments, the liquefaction potential in the western part of the region and in the coastal regions nearby the Lake Van is found to be higher than the other locations. Thus, it can be stated that the soil tightness and groundwater level dominantly control the liquefaction potential. In addition, the lateral spreading and sand boiling spots observed after the 23rd October 2011 Van earthquake overlap the scenario boundaries predicted in this study. Eventually, the use of V _s-based liquefaction analysis in collaboration with the SPT results is quite advantageous to assess the rate of liquefaction in a specific area.     

Acoustic Conditioning System Development and Conditioning Experiments on Black Seabreams in the Xiangshan Bay Sea Ranch

Attracting released hatchery-reared fish to designated areas during the growth process is vital to realize the objectives of sea ranching. Based on the bottom artificial reefs and surface kelp culture facilities in the Xiangshan Bay sea ranch, we proposed systematic techniques related to acoustic conditioning of the black seabream(Sparus macrocephalus). Experiments conducted in 12 m × 10 m × 1.6 m ponds on Xixuan Island showed that black seabream was positively sensitive to 500–600 Hz periodic signals. Conditioned responses were apparent after 8 d. Two to three days were required for recovery of the memory of a conditioned response after a 20-day interval. According to the practical application requirements in the open sea, unattended acoustic conditioning equipment was developed. The ranching equipment was used in 12 m × 12 m × 2.5 m cages, and the behavior of black seabream juveniles was successfully guided after 7 days. Of the 16000 released fish, 82.5% of them were conditioned with a flexible grading net. To avoid inducing a stress response, the juveniles were released into the sea ranch in situ from the net cage. The acoustic conditioning equipments were moved into the open sea and the aggregation phenomenon of the released fish was observed when the sound was played. After 6 months of investigation and based on Sr+ marking, only one acoustically conditioned fish was found outside the 3.5-km~2 sea ranch area, thereby reached the goal of guiding activity. The practical effect in the Xiangshan Bay sea ranch showed the validity of the acoustic conditioning system, which may contribute to improve the operation of the sea ranches in the East China Sea.     

The behaviour of Li and Mg isotopes during primary phase dissolution and secondary mineral formation in basalt

This study presents lithium (Li) and magnesium (Mg) isotope data from experiments designed to assess the effects of dissolution of primary phases and the formation of secondary minerals during the weathering of basalt. Basalt glass and olivine dissolution experiments were performed in mixed through-flow reactors under controlled equilibrium conditions, at low pH (2-4) in order to keep solutions undersaturated (i.e. far-from equilibrium) and inhibit the formation of secondary minerals. Combined dissolution-precipitation experiments were performed at high pH (10 and 11) increasing the saturation state of the solutions (moving the system closer to equilibrium) and thereby promoting the formation of secondary minerals.At conditions far from equilibrium saturation state modelling and solution stoichiometry suggest that little secondary mineral formation has occurred. This is supported by the similarity of the dissolution rates of basalt glass and olivine obtained here compared to those of previous experiments. The δ⁷Li isotope composition of the experimental solution is indistinguishable from that of the initial basalt glass or olivine indicating that little fractionation has occurred. In contrast, the same experimental solutions have light Mg isotope compositions relative to the primary phases, and the solution becomes progressively lighter with time. In the absence of any evidence for secondary mineral formation the most likely explanation for these light Mg isotope compositions is that there has been preferential loss of light Mg during primary phase dissolution.For the experiments undertaken at close to equilibrium conditions the results of saturation state modelling and changes in solution chemistry suggest that secondary mineral formation has occurred. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements of the reacted mineral products from these experiments confirm that the principal secondary phase that has formed is chrysotile. Lithium isotope ratios of the experimental fluid become increasingly heavy with time, consistent with previous experimental work and natural data indicating that ⁶Li is preferentially incorporated into secondary minerals, leaving the solution enriched in ⁷Li. The behaviour of Mg isotopes is different from that anticipated or observed in natural systems. Similar to the far from equilibrium experiments initially light Mg is lost during olivine dissolution, but with time the δ²⁶Mg value of the solution becomes increasingly heavy. This suggests either preferential loss of light, and then heavy Mg from olivine, or that the secondary phase preferentially incorporates light Mg from solution. Assuming that the secondary phase is chrysotile, a Mg-silicate, the sense of Mg fractionation is opposite to that previously associated with silicate soils and implies that the fractionation of Mg isotopes during silicate precipitation may be mineral specific. If secondary silicates do preferentially remove light Mg from solution then this could be a possible mechanism for the relatively heavy δ²⁶Mg value of seawater. This study highlights the utility of experimental studies to quantify the effects of natural weathering reactions on the Li and Mg geochemical cycles.     

Glacio‐isostatic age modelling and Late Weichselian deglaciation of the Lögurinn basin,East Iceland

Knowledge of the glaciation of central East Iceland between 15 and 9 cal. ka BP is important for the understanding of the extent, retreat and dynamics of the Icelandic Ice Sheet. Crucially, it is not known if the key area of Fljótsdalur‐Úthérað carried a fast‐flowing ice stream during the Last Glacial Maximum; the timing and mode of deglaciation is unclear; and the history and ages of successive lake‐phases in the Lögurinn basin are uncertain. We use the distribution of glacial and fluvioglacial deposits and gradients of former lake shorelines to reconstruct the glaciation and deglaciation history, and to constrain glacio‐isostatic age modelling. We conclude that during the Last Glacial Maximum, Fljótsdalur‐Úthérað was covered by a fast‐flowing ice stream, and that the Lögurinn basin was deglaciated between 14.7 and 13.2 cal. ka BP at the earliest. The Fljótsdalur outlet glacier re‐advanced and reached a temporary maximum extent on two separate occasions, during the Younger Dryas and the Preboreal. In the Younger Dryas, about 12.1 cal. ka BP, the outlet glacier reached the Tjarnarland terminal zone, and filled the Lögurinn basin. During deglaciation, a proglacial lake formed in the Lögurinn basin. Through time, gradients of ice‐lake shorelines increased as a result of continuous but non‐uniform glacio‐isostatic uplift as the Fljótsdalur outlet glacier retreated across the Valþjófsstaður terminal zone. Changes in shoreline gradients are defined as a function of time, expressed with an exponential equation that is used to model ages of individual shorelines. A glaciolacustrine phase of Lake Lögurinn existed between 12.1 and 9.1 cal. ka BP; as the ice retreated from the basin catchment, a wholly lacustrine phase of Lake Lögurinn commenced and lasted until about 4.2 cal. ka BP when neoglacial ice expansion started the current glaciolacustrine phase of the lake.