Neoproterozoic magmatism in NW Sinai,Egypt: magma source and evolution of collision-related intracrustal anatectic leucogranite

The present study deals with tectonomagmatic evolution of the collision-related leucogranite located near the northwest corner of exposed basement in Sinai, Egypt. The area is composed of: (1) a gabbroic complex; (2) amphibolite; (3) post-orogenic leucogranite; (4) Feiran gneisses. The amphibolite and gabbroic suites, generated in an island arc environment, have a high Fe-tholeiitic affinity and were derived from two independent magmas. On the basis of rare earth element (REE) patterns, the gabbroic melts could have been generated from a garnet- and amphibole-bearing, enriched mantle, and were subsequently modified by fractional crystallization of pyroxene and amphibole with minor plagioclase, whereas the amphibolite melts could be derived from garnet-free depleted mantle.The leucogranite has high Al₂O₃ content (>13 wt%), alumina saturation index (ASI) mostly >1, and normative corundum, indicating a peraluminous nature. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns for the leucogranite show light REE enrichment (La/Sm_N=2.7–4.86), general flattening of the heavy REE (Gd/Lu_N=1.2–2), and negative europium (Eu) anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.24–0.47). The peraluminous nature and enrichment of the incompatible elements (K, Rb, Ba and Th) in the leucogranite strongly suggest derivation from a crustal source. The most probable source for the leucogranite magmas is represented by the adjacent Feiran gneisses, which could have generated the leucogranite by dehydration melting under water-undersaturated conditions. It appears likely that the restite unmixing model is responsible for the chemical variations within the leucogranite. In accordance with this model, the chemical variation of the leucogranite can be attributed to varying degrees of separation of restitic material from the melt during its emplacement and solidification and fractional crystallization could have played a minor role during magma ascent through the crust.     

Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Production in the Sahel – Part 1. Methodological Approach and Case Study for Millet in Niger

In the last 30 years the climate of the West African Sahel has shown various changes, especially in terms of rainfall, of which inter-annual variabilityis very high. This has significant consequences for the poor-resource farmers, whose incomes depend mainly on rainfed agriculture. The West African Sahel is already known as an area characterized by important interaction between climate variability and key socio-economic sectors such as agriculture and water resources. More than 80% of the 55 million population of West African Sahel is rural, involved in agriculture and stock-farming, the two sectors contributing almost 35% of the countries' GDPs. It is thereforeobvious that climate change seriously affects the economies of these countries. Adding to this situation the high rate of population increase(3%), leading to progressive pressure upon ecosystems, and poorsanitary facilities, one comes to the conclusion that Sahelian countries, Niger amongst them, will be highly vulnerable to climate change.This paper investigates the impact of current climate variability and future climate change on millet production for three major millet-producing regions in Niger. Statistical models have been used to predict the effects of climate change on future production on the basis of thirteen available predictors. Based on the analysis of the past 30-years of rainfall and production data, the most significant predictors of the model are (i) seasurface temperature anomalies, (ii) the amount of rainfall in July, August and September, (iii) the number of rainy days and (iv) the wind erosion factor. In 2025, production of millet is estimated to be about 13% lower as a consequence of climate change, translated into a reduction of the total amount of rainfall for July, August and September, combined with an increase in temperature while maintaining other significant predictors at a constant level. Subsequently,various potential strategies to compensate this loss are evaluated, including those to increase water use efficiency and to cultivate varieties that are adapted to such circumstances.     

Seismicity of the northernmost part of the Red Sea (1995–1999)

Seismicity in the northernmost part of the Red Sea has been studied using data from Hurghada Seismological Network in addition to readings from the existing neighbouring networks. Relocated events in addition to data from national centers are used to obtain a complete and true picture for the seismicity of the area. The spatial distribution of earthquakes defines three earthquake zones in the Gulf of Aqaba and three zones at the entrance of the Gulf of Suez and southern tip of Sinai Peninsula. The thermal activity and the triple junction nature control the activity in this area. The activity defines also an active trend extending from the southern tip of Sinai Peninsula to the median zone of the Red Sea. The seismicity of this trend is probably related to the active spreading zone associated with the opening of the Red Sea. The b-values are derived for the entrance areas of the two gulfs and for Gulf of Aqaba. Values of b are 1.35 for the triple junction region, 1.13 for the activity before the 22 November 1995 Gulf of Aqaba mainshock and 1.25 for the aftershocks of this event.     

Carbon monoxide levels along roadway

This paper predicts and compares the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration levels along Sembulan Road for years 2004 and 2014 using CAL3QHC air dispersion model at two major locations, i.e., at Sembulan Roundabout and Sutera Harbour Intersection, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The CO concentration “hot-spots” were also identified at Sutera Harbour Intersection, and the highest maximum 1-hr average ground level concentrations of CO modeled for Kpg. Air Sembulan located in the northeast of idling road was 9.33 ppm for year 2004. This study showed that there would be no extreme changes in CO concentration trends for year 2014 although a substantial increase in the number of vehicles is assumed to affect the level of CO concentrations. It was also found that the CO levels would be well below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines of 30 ppm for 1-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Comparisons between the modeled and observed outputs using quantitative data analysis technique and statistical methods indicated that the CAL3QHC predicted results correlated well with measured data. It was predicted that receptors located near to the major intersection, in the long-term would be potentially exposed to relatively higher CO levels.     

The factors controlling the distribution of carbonate content in Kuwait Bay sediments

The present study has been undertaken to determine the nature and the factors controlling the distribution of carbonate content in Kuwait Bay sediments. The carbonate content that may be deposited with Kuwait Bay sediments is attributed to the interplay of the deposits fallout from the dust storms over Kuwaiti territory, the deposits carried in suspension by the currents from Shatt Al-Arab area and to the skeletal parts of microorganisms that may be originated in the sediments. The carbonate content increases in the coarse sediments rather than in the fine sediments. The mineral components of the carbonate present are in the form of calcite, aragonite and some dolomite. Therefore, the texture of the sediments, the rate of deposition in addition to the biological interference may exert a considerable control over carbonate distribution.     

Petrography and geochemistry of carbonate void-filling cements in fossil reefs

An Investigation of the distribution of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Sr²⁺ and K⁺ as well as O¹⁸ and C¹³ in void-filling cements out of three fossil reefs — of Devonian and Triassic ages — shows a rhythmic fluctuation of these parameters in the successive layers. This reflects a similar change in the salinity conditions during cementation. It also leads to the presumption that the void filling process starts in early stages with a semi-closed system and later passes into a relatively closed one. Results obtained from factor analysis support this hypothesis.The original mineralogic constitution of the cements must have followed the rhythmic fluctuation of salinity with the result of forming alternative layers of aragonite and calcite. These lead, through inversion and grain growth, in later diagenetic stages to the formation of fibrous calcite.Blocky calcite represents the last stage of cementation. It crystallises out of exhausted solutions and shows no signs of inversion.Multivariate analysis of all investigated parameters reveals three factors. These were interpreted as representing Salinity, Temperature and original Mineralogy.

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Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchung der Verteilung von Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Sr²⁺ und K⁺, sowie O¹⁸ und C¹³ in Hohlraumzementen aus drei fossilen Riffen von devonischem und triadischem Alter zeigt eine rhythmische Schwankung in den sukzessiven Zementschalen. Die Schwankung der geochemischen Parameter reflektiert eine änderung der Salinitätsbedingungen. Dies wird unter der Annahme erklärt, daß die Ausfüllung der Hohlräume zuerst in einem halbgeschlossenen, später dann in einem relativ geschlossenen System stattfindet. Die Faktorenanalyse bestätigt diese Hypothese.Die Mineralogie der gebildeten Zemente folgt der rhythmischen Salinitätsschwankung und daraus entstand zunächst eine Wechsellagerung von calcitischen und aragonitischen Zementen.über Inversion und Sammelkristallisation bildet sich während der späteren Diagenese der fibröse Calcit, dessen rhythmische Gefügeabfolge von der ursprünglichen Mineralogie der Zemente diktiert wird. Als letzte Zementgeneration folgt blockiger Calcit aus ionenarmen Lösungen, wobei keine Umwandlung dieser Zementphase mehr erfolgt.Aus der Faktorenanalyse aller geochemischen Parameter ergeben sich drei Faktorengruppen, die die Salinität, Temperatur und ursprüngliche Bildungsmineralogie charakterisieren.

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Résumé L'examen de la répartition du Ca₂₊, Mg₂₊, Na₊, Sr₂₊ et K₊, ainsi que O¹⁸ et C¹³ dans le ciment de remplissage des vides de 3 récifs fossiles d'âge dévonien à triasique, montre une variation rythmique dans les couches successives du ciment. La variation des paramètres chimiques reflète un changement dans les conditions de la salinité. Ceci s'explique si l'on accepte que le remplissage des vides a eu lieu dans un milieu d'abord à moitié fermé, et plus tard relativement fermé. L'analyse des facteurs confirme cette hypothèse. La minéralogie du ciment formé est conforme à la variation rythmique de la salinité, d'où résulta une alternance de ciment calcitique et aragonitique.Après l'inversion et la recristallisation coalescente, il s'est formé, durant la diagenèse ultérieure de la calcite fibreuse, dont la succession structurale rythmique est dictée par la minéralogie originelle du ciment. Comme dernière génération de ciment, vient de la calcite en bloc provenant d'une solution pauvre en ions, sans qu'il s'en suive une transformation decette phase de cimentation.L'analyse des facteurs de tous les paramètres chimiques fait apparaÎtre trois groupes de facteurs qui caractérisent la salinité, la température et la minéralogie originelle de formation.

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Short note: A simple nomogram for interpretation due to magnetic horizontal cylinders

The magnetic anomaly ΔF due to a long horizontal cylinder yields three points related to its extrema. A nomogram is presented for the determination of some source parameters of the causative body.     

A crustal suture and lineament in North Africa

A possible suture between an old craton in West Africa and the Arabian—Nubian shield is marked by a persistent zone of Phanerozoic weakness. This zone extends between the Nile and Niger deltas and passes through the Qattara embayment, along the Bahariya fault, through the Kufra basin, between the Tibesti and Jabal al Uwaynat massifs, through the Bahr el Ghazal and Lake Chad areas, and along the Benoue trough.     

First international payment for marine ecosystem services: The case of the Banc d’Arguin National Park,Mauritania

This article investigates whether the European Union-Mauritania fisheries agreement, which allocates part of the Europe's financial contribution to the conservation of marine ecosystems located within the Banc d’Arguin National Park, can be regarded as a payment for ecosystem service. A framework for qualification as such payment scheme was established based on an extensive literature review. The criteria identified for the qualification as a payment to ecosystem service pertain to: (1) the definition of the ecosystem service(s) involved; (2) the mechanism involved by the payment; and (3) the nature of the transaction. Interviews with local beneficiaries and subsequent data analysis led to the conclusion that this mechanism could be regarded as a payment to ecosystem service and so, through the European Union-Mauritania Fisheries agreement, the European Union were investing to protect local fish resources that could be exploited by its fishing fleet. This agreement, involving the first International Payment to Ecosystem Service of this kind, marks an important step towards better consideration of marine conservation in international public policy and foreign fishing policy in particular. However, this payment is small when compared to revenues generated through the exploitation of developing countries’ fishing grounds by fishing countries. Nevertheless it opens the door for more detailed applications of payment to ecosystem service schemes to other ecosystems contexts, and can provide a useful alternative source of financing of marine biodiversity conservation.