Loss on ignition vs. thermogravimetric analysis: a comparative study to determine organic matter and carbonate content in sediments

Journal of Paleolimnology - Mass loss at specified temperatures has been used widely to determine amounts of organic matter and carbonate in sediment samples. The loss on ignition (LOI) method is...     

Straddling the tholeiitic/calc-alkaline transition: the effects of modest amounts of water on magmatic differentiation at Newberry Volcano,Oregon

Melting experiments have been performed at 1 bar (anhydrous) and 1- and 2-kbar H₂O-saturated conditions to study the effect of water on the differentiation of a basaltic andesite. The starting material was a mafic pumice from the compositionally zoned tuff deposited during the ~75 ka caldera-forming eruption of Newberry Volcano, a rear-arc volcanic center in the central Oregon Cascades. Pumices in the tuff of Newberry caldera (TNC) span a continuous silica range from 53 to 74 wt% and feature an unusually high-Na₂O content of 6.5 wt% at 67 wt% SiO₂. This wide range of magmatic compositions erupted in a single event makes the TNC an excellent natural laboratory in which to study the conditions of magmatic differentiation. Our experimental results and mineral–melt hygrometers/thermometers yield similar estimates of pre-eruptive H₂O contents and temperatures of the TNC liquids. The most primitive (mafic) basaltic andesites record a pre-eruptive H₂O content of 1.5 wt% and a liquidus temperature of 1,060–1,070 °C at upper crustal pressure. This modest H₂O content produces a distinctive fractionation trend that is much more enriched in Na, Fe, and Ti than the calc-alkaline trend typical of wetter arc magmas, but slightly less enriched in Fe and Ti than the tholeiitic trend of dry magmas. Modest H₂O contents might be expected at Newberry Volcano given its location in the Cascade rear arc, and the same fractionation trend is also observed in the rim andesites of the rear-arc Medicine Lake volcano in the southern Cascades. However, the Na–Fe–Ti enrichment characteristic of modest H₂O (1–2 wt%) is also observed to the west of Newberry in magmas erupted from the arc axis, such as the Shevlin Park Tuff and several lava flows from the Three Sisters. This shows that modest-H₂O magmas are being generated directly beneath the arc axis as well as in the rear arc. Because liquid lines of descent are particularly sensitive to water content in the range of 0–3 wt% H₂O, they provide a quantitative and reliable tool for precisely determining pre-eruptive H₂O content using major-element data from pumices or lava flows. Coupled enrichment in Na, Fe, and Ti relative to the calc-alkaline trend is a general feature of fractional crystallization in the presence of modest amounts of H₂O, which may be used to look for “damp” fractionation sequences elsewhere.     

First microbialites associated to organic-rich facies of the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (Northern Tunisia,Cenomanian–Turonian transition)

From northern Tunisia, small-scale well-preserved microbialites, contemporaneous to the global oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE 2) are first reported on the southern Tethyan Margin. These microbialites are encased within the pelagic organic-rich black shales of the Bahloul Formation (Cenomanian–Turonian transition). Biostratigraphic, petrographic, and geochemical investigations carried out to constrain their biogenicity and genesis character led to consider them as thrombolites and stromatolites occurring in lenticular bioherms/biostromes and columnar bodies co-relatable to the global ‘filament event’ of the authors, close to the base of the Watinoceras ammonite zone. Abundant clotted micrite, cyanobacterial filaments, and algal tissues point to the key process of microbial carbonate precipitation and to a major role played by microbes in the stabilisation and subsequent lithification, which in turn favoured the preservation of the original structure of the microbialites. These microbially induced carbonate formations are considered as favoured by chemosynthetic fauna of bivalve molluscs and lithistid sponges which were able to host symbiotic microbial communities. The latter contributed to the precipitation of authigenic calcite and non-carbonate minerals (e.g. pyrite) fuelled by microbial activity under sulphate-reducing conditions. The carbonate body onset is considered to be initiated by seafloor instability due to syndepositional fault acting that induced the appraisal of uplifted tilted blocks within oxygenated waters but near the anoxic water masses. Generated depressions allowed the development of chemosynthetic-based communities. Deep faults related to Triassic salt domes acted as conducts for hydrocarbon and salt brine expulsion to the seafloor and the microbialite growth was enhanced by an abrupt uprising sea level under warmer conditions.     

Hydrogeological and mixing process of waters in deep aquifers in arid regions: south east Tunisia

This study addresses the hydrogeochemistry of thermal and cold waters from south east Tunisia. Temperature intervals are 38.5–68 °C and 22–27.8 °C for thermal water and cold water, respectively. Three distinct hydrogeological systems supply water either for irrigation or for drinking; they are: (1) the Continental Intercalaire geothermal aquifer (CI), (2) the Turonian aquifer and (3) the Senonian aquifer. A synthetic study including hydrochemical, hydrogeological and geothermal approaches have been applied in order to evaluate the inter-aquifers water transfer in south east of Tunisia. By using silica geothermometers and saturation indices for different solid phases, estimated thermal reservoir temperature varies between 52 and 87 °C and between 75 and 110 °C, respectively. Based on chemical and thermal data, mixing, which occurs between the ascending deep geothermal water and shallow cold water, is about 57 % cold water.     

Evolution of Pleistocene travertine depositional system from terraced slope to fissure-ridge in a mixed travertine-alluvial succession (Jebel El Mida,Gafsa, southern Tunisia)

The Quaternary stratigraphic record of Jebel El Mida, composed of continental deposits, is a useful example of concomitant travertines and alluvial deposition in an extensional setting. Travertine deposition occurred in a faulted Pleistocene alluvial fan giving rise to seven (recognised) facies interfingering with five other alluvial ones. The travertine depositional events indicate a tectonically driven evolution from terraced slope (facies group FC1–FC6) to a travertine fissure ridge-type depositing phase (facies group of FC1–FC7). Interfingering between travertine and alluvial facies indicates the co-existence of adjacent and time-equivalent depositional environments. The travertine deposition resulted from deep origin hydrothermal fluids channelled along damaged rocks volumes associated to a regional fault system, named as the Gafsa Fault (GF). The travertine–terrigenous succession in Jebel El Mida highlights the major role played by the GF in controlling: (i) the hydrothermal fluid flow, still active as also indicated by the numerous thermal springs aligned along the fault zone; (ii) paleoflow directions, discharge locations, volume, rate and fluctuations of the water supply. The paleoclimatic correlation with adjacent localities reveals that, at that time, humid episodes could have contributed to the recharge of the hydrothermal system and to the deposition of alluvial sediments.     

Deformation correlations,stress field switches and evolution of an orogenic intersection: The Pan-African Kaoko-Damara orogenic junction,Namibia

Age calibrated deformation histories established by detailed mapping and dating of key magmatic time markers are correlated across all tectono-metamorphic provinces in the Damara Orogenic System.Correlations across structural belts result in an internally consistent deformation framework with evidence of stress field rotations with similar timing,and switches between different deformation events.Horizontal principle compressive stress rotated clockwise ~180°in total during Kaoko Belt evolution,and~135° during Damara Belt evolution.At most stages,stress field variation is progressive and can be attributed to events within the Damara Orogenic System,caused by changes in relative trajectories of the interacting Rio De La Plata,Congo,and Kalahari Cratons.Kaokoan orogenesis occurred earliest and evolved from collision and obduction at ~590 Ma,involving E-W directed shortening,progressing through different transpressional states with ~45° rotation of the stress field to strike-slip shear under NW-SE shortening at ~550-530 Ma.Damaran orogenesis evolved from collision at ~555-550 Ma with NW-SE directed shortening in common with the Kaoko Belt,and subsequently evolved through ~90°rotation of the stress field to NE-SW shortening at ~512-508 Ma.Both Kaoko and Damara orogenic fronts were operating at the same time,with all three cratons being coaxially convergent during the 550-530 Ma period;Rio De La Plata directed SE against the Congo Craton margin,and both together over-riding the Kalahari Craton margin also towards the SE.Progressive stress field rotation was punctuated by rapid and significant switches at ~530-525 Ma,~508 Ma and ~505 Ma.These three events included:(1)Culmination of main phase orogenesis in the Damara Belt,coinciding with maximum burial and peak metamorphism at 530-525 Ma.This occurred at the same time as termination of transpression and initiation of transtensional reactivation of shear zones in the Kaoko Belt.Principle compressive stress switched from NW-SE to NNW-SSE shortening in both Kaoko and Damara Belts at this time.This marks the start of Congo-Kalahari stress field overwhelming the waning Rio De La Plata-Congo stress field,and from this time forward contraction across the Damara Belt generated the stress field governing subsequent low-strain events in the Kaoko Belt.(2)A sudden switch to E-W directed shortening at ~508 Ma is interpreted as a far-field effect imposed on the Damara Orogenic System,most plausibly from arc obduction along the orogenic margin of Gondwana(Ross-Delamerian Orogen).(3)This imposed stress field established a N-S extension direction exploited by decompression melts,switch to vertical shortening,and triggered gravitational collapse and extension of the thermally weakened hot orogen core at ~505 Ma,producing an extensional metamorphic core complex across the Central Zone.     

Field testing of one-way and two-way cyclic lateral responses of single and jet-grouting reinforced piles in soft clay

Piles supporting transmission towers, offshore structures (such as wind turbines), or infrastructures in seismic areas are frequently subjected to either one-way or two-way cyclic lateral loadings. Relatively little attention, however, has been paid to compare and understand the effects of different loading regimes (one-way or two-way cycling) on lateral responses of piles in soft clay. For this reason, a series of field tests in soft clay are carried out to compare one-way and two-way cyclic responses of single piles and of jet-grouting reinforced piles. The field tests reveal that the single pile subjected to two-way cycling experiences much more rapid degradation in lateral stiffness and capacity, but accumulates much smaller residual pile deflection (δ _p), than the single pile under one-way cycling. This is because the reverse part of the two-way cycling also generates plastic strain, causing additional softening and strength reduction in the soil surrounding the pile. After each cycling, non-zero bending moment (i.e. locked in moment, or M _L) is retained in the single piles, and the M _L increases with the δ _p. The one-way cycling leads to two times larger M _L than the two-way cycling, as it causes greater δ _p. The maximum M _L in the pile after one-way cycling can be up to 40% of the maximum bending moment induced during the previous cyclic loading stage. After application of jet-grouting surrounding the upper part of the single pile, it greatly reduces degradation of lateral pile stiffness, accumulation of δ _p and therefore development of M _L. Compared to the field measurements, the API (API RP 2A-WSD, recommended practice for planning, designing, and constructing fixed offshore platform-working stress design, 21st edn. API, Washington, 2000) code underestimates the lateral stiffness of the pile under one-way cycling, while overestimates that of the pile under two-way cycling, leading to a non-conservative prediction of bending moment in the latter pile.     

Phytoremediation assessment of native plants growing on Pb–Zn mine site in Northern Tunisia

Pollution by heavy metals presents an environmental concern, and their toxicity threats soil, water, animals and human health. Phytoremediation can be used as a solution to remediate contaminated soils. The aim of this study was to identify native plants collected from tailings: material of Pb–Zn mine sites of Fedj Lahdoum and Jebel Ressas (two abandoned mines located, respectively, in the northwest of Tunisia and in the south of Tunis City). The tolerance of plant to heavy metals (lead, zinc and cadmium) is evaluated. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Zn and Cd concentration. The total soil Pb, Zn and Cd are, respectively, reached 6132 mg kg^?1, 11,052 mg kg^?1 and it doesn’t exceed 479 mg kg^?1 for Cd. The highest content of Zn in plants was detected in shoots of Rumex bucephalophorus (1048 mg kg^?1), and the highest Pb concentration was detected in roots of Chrysopogon zizanioides (381 mg kg^?1), while for Cd Silene colorata it accumulated the highest content in roots (51 mg kg^?1). From all plants, only 12 have a translocation factor for Pb which is higher than one. Among all plants, only 17 have a translocation factor that is higher than one for Zn, while for Cd only 13 plants indicate TF > 1. As for the biological absorption coefficient, all samples indicate a rate which is lower than one. These plants can be primarily hyper accumulators and useful in remediation of lead- and zinc-contaminated soils after further biochemistry researches in mechanism of accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in plants.     

Hyperspectral image betweenness centrality clustering based adaptive spatial and spectral neighborhood approach for anomaly detection

Segmentation-based anomaly detectors proceeds to the clustering of the hyperspectral image as a first step. However, most of the well-known clustering methods cluster anomalous pixels as a part of the background. This paper presents a new hyperspectral image clustering approach based on the betweenness centrality measure. The proposed approach starts by the construction of an adaptive spatial and spectral neighborhood for each pixel. This neighborhood is based on the selection of the nearest spectral and spatial neighbors in multiple windows around each pixel to allow well-suited representation of the image features. In the next step, this neighborhood is clustered based on the edge betweenness measure algorithm that splits the image into regions sharing similar features. This approach (1) allows the reduction of intercluster relationship, (2) favors intracluster relations, and (3) preserves small clusters that can hold anomalous pixels. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is efficient for clustering and overcomes the state of the art approaches.     

盐生植物萌发期对盐胁迫的适应研究进展

目前我国盐渍土地面积较大,尤其是青藏高原的盐渍地,常伴有干旱、半干旱的生境,导致植物不易生长,生态环境相对恶劣,这种生态现状亟待解决。盐生植物具有一定的耐盐性和耐旱性,是改善盐渍地的首选植物,种子的活力决定了种子萌发的情况,多数学者为改善严峻的生态环境开始了盐生植物引种的研究。测定种子活力有直接方法和间接方法,大多数学者采用的是直接方法,即在实验室模拟一定条件直接测定萌发率。简述了盐生植物的概况、制造胁迫的主要方法以及检测种子活力的指标,综述了近年来不同学者对盐爪爪、白刺等具有代表性的22种盐生植物在种子萌发期的耐盐性以及抗旱性的相关研究,为改善盐渍地的生态环境、提升盐渍地的生产量提供了理论基础。