Textures and phase relationships in ferrous granulites from Tidjenouine (Hoggar, Algeria): fayalite–ferrossilite–quartz secondary assemblage

Ferrous granulites in the area of Tidjénouine (Central Hoggar) exhibit a remarkable mineralogical composition characterized by the association orthoferrossilite–fayalite–quartz. These granulites are metamorphosed mafic igneous rocks showing the juxtaposition of different metamorphic parageneses. Peak paragenesis with garnet–clinopyroxene–amphibole–plagioclase–quartz reach to assemblage with orthopyroxene–plagioclase₂. Secondary orthopyroxene reacted with garnet to produce symplectites with fayalite + plagioclase + quartz. The latest stage corresponds to an orthopyroxene–fayalite–quartz–plagioclase assemblage. The metamorphic history of the ferrous granulites is inferred by combining the study of phase relations with the construction of a petrogenetic grid and pseudosection in the CFMASH and CFAS systems using the Thermocalc program of [J. Metamorph. Geol. 6 (1988) 173]. The evolution of paragenetic minerals indicates a metamorphic P–T path through the following conditions: 7.1 ± 1 kbar at 880 °C, 4.9 ± 1.6 kbar at 750 °C and 3–4 kbar at 700 °C, which is consistent with a clockwise P–T path recorded throughout the area.     

Effect of the thermal gradient variation through geological time on basin modeling; a case study: The Paris basin

Many studies investigated the thermal modeling of the Paris basin for petroleum interests during the 1970s. Most of the softwares developed by oil companies or research centers were based on the assumption of a constant thermal gradient. In order to take into consideration the variation of the thermal gradient during basin evolution, we developed the TherMO's Visual Basic 1D program. We applied our model to twenty boreholes located along a cross-section roughly running EW over 150 km in the center of the Paris basin. The numerical results were calibrated with organic matter maturity data. TherMO's simulates the amount of heat provided to the sedimentary organic matter. The heat parameter simulated shows lateral variation along the cross-section. It decreases from Rambouillet to Trou Aux Loups boreholes (87–66 mW/m²) at about 100 km more to the east whereas the heat flux value simulated is 73 mW/m² in St. Loup borehole. The mean thermal gradient calculated for liassic horizons at 87 My for the Rambouillet well is 50.4 °C/km. This value is similar to previously published results. By integrating the calculation of the thermal gradients and conductivities related to the burial of each stratigraphic sequence, our approach points out variations in the thermal regimes the sedimentary organic matter (SOM) has been subjected to through geological time.     

Organic Geochemistry of the Cenomanian–Turonian Bahloul Formation Petroleum Source Rock,Central and Northern Tunisia

Total organic carbon (TOC) determination, Rock‐Eval pyrolysis, extractable organic matter content (EOM) fractionation, gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses, were carried out on 79 samples from eleven outcrop cross sections of the Bahloul Formation in central and northern Tunisia. The TOC content varied between 0.23 to 35.6%, the highest average values (18.73%, 8.46% and 4.02%) being at the east of the study area (at Ain Zakkar, Oued Bahloul and Dyr Ouled Yahia localities, respectively). The Rock‐Eval maximum pyrolysis temperature (Tmax) values in the 424–453°C range delineated a general east‐west trend increase in the organic matter (OM) maturity. The disparity in hydrogen index (HI) values, in the range 114–824 mg hydrocarbons (HC) g^?1 TOC, is relevant for the discrepancy in the level of OM preservation and maturity among localities and samples. The n‐alkane distributions, maximizing in the C17 to C20 range, are typical for a marine planktonic origin, whereas pristine/phytane (Pr/Ph) average values in the 1–2 range indicate an oxic to suboxic depositional environment. Pr/n‐C17 and Ph/n‐C18 ratios in the 0.38–6.2 and 0.68–3.25 range, respectively, are consistent with other maturity indicators and the contribution of specific bacteria to phytol as a precursor of isoprenoids. The thermal maturity varies between late diagenesis to main‐stage of petroleum generation based on the optic and the cis‐trans isomerisation of the C29 sterane [20S/(20S+20R) and 14β(H),17β(H)/(14β(H),17β(H)+14α(H),17α(H)), respectively] and the terpane [18α(H)22,29,30‐Trisnorneohopane/(18α(H)22,29,30‐Trisnorneohopane+17α(H)22,29,30‐Trisnorhopane): Ts/(Ts+Tm)] ratios. The Bahloul OM is represented by an open marine to estuarine algal facies with a specific bacterial contribution as revealed by the relative abundance of the ααα‐20R C27 (33–44%), C28 (22–28%) and C29 (34–41%) steranes and by the total terpanes/total steranes ratio (1.2–5.33). These results attested that the Bahloul OM richness was controlled both by an oxygen minimum zone induced by high productivity and restricted circulation in narrow half graben structures and around diapirs of the Triassic salt.     

Pyrolyse de complexes organo-métalliques formés entre un matériau organique actuel d''origine algaire et divers cations métalliques divalents (UO2, Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn, Zn et Co

The thermal decomposition of complexes formed by reactions of various divalent cations (UO₂²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺) with a Recent sedimentary organic matter of algal origin has been studied by thermogravimetric analyses carried out under an inert atmosphere. Results of these experiments show that metals fixed by the organic matter delay the beginning of the decomposition of that latter one. The importance of this retardating effect depends on: (1) the nature of the metal (Mn > Pb > Ni > Co > Zn > U > Cu > pure organic matter); and, to a lesser degree, (2) its content in the tested complex.

Chromatographic analyses of gases (H₂O, CO₂, light hydrocarbons) produced during the experiments show that carbon dioxide is the main decomposition product of the complexes. As a matter of fact, carbon dioxide is formed all along the thermal decomposition of the organic matter. For the uranium-containing complex, a sudden emission of CO₂ may be related to the reduction of this metal which passes from oxidation state VI to IV during the pyrolysis.

These observations support the hypothesis that metals associated with sedimentary organic complexes may affect their diagenetic evolution.

Résumé

La décomposition thermique de composés formés par réaction de différents cations divalents (UO²⁺₂, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺) avec une matière sédimentaire actuelle d'origine algaire a été suivie par analyse thermogravimétrique, en opérant à atmosphère inerte. les résultats de ces expériences montrent que les métaux associés à la matière organique retardent le début de la décomposition de celle-ci. Cet effect retardateur dépend: (1) de la nature du métal étudié (Mn > Pb > Ni > Co > Zn > U > Cu); et dans une moindre mesure, (2) de la teneur de celui-ci dans le produit considéré.

L'analyse chromatographique des principaux composés gazeux (CO₂, H₂O, hydrocarbures légers) émis durant les expériences, montre que l'anhydride carbonique est un produit majeur de la décomposition des échantillons étudiés. En effet, contrairement aux autres composés analysés, le CO₂ est émis durant toute la durée de la pyrolyse de la matière organique. Les courbes d'émission du CO₂ obtenues à partir des complexes contenant de l'U montrent un dégagement soudain de CO₂ qui est peut-être à relier à la réduction du métal qui passe de l'état d'oxydation VI à IV au cours de la pyrolyse.

Ces observations appuient l'hypothèse selon laquelle des métaux associés à des matériaux organiques sédimentaires pourraient influer sur les transformations subies par ceux-ci au cours de leur évolution diagénétique.