A menagerie of graphite morphologies in the Acapulco meteorite with diverse carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures: Implications for the evolution history of acapulcoite meteorites

Morphologies, petrographic settings and carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of graphites in the Acapulco meteorite, the latter determined by secondary ionization mass spectrometry, are reported. Seven different graphite morphologies were recognized, the majority of which occur enclosed exclusively in kamacite. Individual graphite grains also rarely occur in the silicate matrix. Kamacite rims surrounding taenite cores of metal grains are separated from the Ni-rich metal cores by graphite veneers. These graphite veneers impeded or prevented Ni-Fe interdiffusion during cooling. In addition, matrix FeNi metal contains considerable amounts of phosphorous (≈ 700 ppm) and silicon (≈ 300 ppm) (Pack et al., 2005 in preparation) thus indicating that results of laboratory cooling experiments in the Fe-Ni binary system are inapplicable to Acapulco metals. Graphites of different morphologies display a range of carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions, indicating a diversity of source regions before accretion in the Acapulco parent body. The isotopic compositions point to at least three isotopic reservoirs from which the graphites originated: (1) A reservoir with heavy carbon, represented by graphite in silicates (δ¹³C = 14.3 ± 2.4 ‰ and δ¹⁵N = −103.4 ± 10.9 ‰), (2) A reservoir with isotopically light carbon and nitrogen, characteristic for the metals. Its C- and N-isotopic compositions are probably preserved in the graphite exsolutions that are isotopically light in carbon and lightest in nitrogen (δ¹³C = −17 to −23 ‰ δ¹⁵N = −141 to −159 ‰). (3) A reservoir with an assumed isotopic composition (δ¹³C ∼ −5 ‰; δ¹⁵N ∼ −50 ‰). A detailed three-dimensional tomography in reflected light microscopy of the decorations of metal-troilite spherules in the cores of orthopyroxenes and olivines and metal-troilite veins was conducted to clarify their origin. Metal and troilite veins are present only near the fusion crust. Hence, these veins are not pristine to Acapulco parent body but resulted during passage of Acapulco in Earth’s atmosphere. A thorough search for symplectite-type silicate-troilite liquid quench textures was conducted to determine the extent of closed-system partial silicate melting in Acapulco.Metal-troilite spherules in orthopyroxenes and olivines are not randomly distributed but decorate ferromagnesian silicate restite cores, indicating that the metal-spherule decoration around restite silicates took place in a silicate partial melt. Graphite inclusions in these spherules have C- and N- isotopic compositions (δ¹³C = −2.9 ± 2.5 ‰ and δ¹⁵N = −101.2 ± 32 ‰) close to the average values of graphite in metals and in the silicate matrix, thus strongly suggesting that they originated from a mixture of graphite inclusions in metals and silicate matrix graphite during a closed system crystallization process subsequent to silicate-metal-sulfide partial melting. Troilite-orthopyroxene quench symplectite textures in orthopyroxene rims are clear evidence that silicate-sulfide partial melting took place in Acapulco. Due to petrographic heterogeneity on a centimeter scale, bulk REE abundances of individual samples or of individual minerals provide only limited information and the REE abundances alone are not entirely adequate to unravel the formational processes that prevailed in the acapulcoite-lodranite parent body. The present investigations demonstrate the complexity of the evolutionary stages of acapulcoites from accretion to parent body processes.     

Two-dimensional modeling of contaminant transport in porous media in the presence of colloids

It has long been known that colloids can facilitate the transport of contaminants in groundwater systems by reducing the effective retardation factor. A significant effort has been devoted to study colloid-facilitated contaminant transport during the past decade. Many of the previous studies were restricted to one-dimensional analyses and comparisons with finite-column experiments. In this work, a two-dimensional numerical model is developed and used to study the different interactions between colloids, contaminants, and porous media under homogeneous conditions. The numerical formulation of the model is based on discretizing mass balance equations and reaction equations using finite differences having a third-order, total variance-diminishing scheme for the advection terms. This scheme significantly reduces numerical dispersion and leads to greater accuracy compared to the standard central-differencing scheme. The model is tested against analytical solutions under simplified conditions as well as against experimental data, and the results are favorable. The model is used to investigate the impact of the various reaction rates and parameter values on the movement of contaminant plumes in two dimensions. The model is also used to investigate the hypothesis that colloids may increase the effective retardation factor of contaminant plumes. The analysis shows that assuming kinetic mass exchange between contaminant and colloids with constant reaction rate coefficients that are not related to the concentrations may lead to inaccurate results. These inaccurate results are exemplified in the finding that under the kinetic assumption the ratio of the initial concentration of colloids to the initial concentration of contaminant does not affect the amount of facilitation or retardation that occurs in the system. It is also found that colloids can increase the effective retardation factor for the contaminant under certain combinations of reaction rates and distribution coefficients. A quantitative empirical expression to identify whether colloids retard or facilitate the contaminant movement is presented.     

High pressure deformation in two-phase aggregates

We investigate the rheological behavior of multi-phase aggregates at high pressure and high temperature. Using synchrotron X-ray radiation as the probing tool, we are able to quantify the stress state of individual phases within the aggregates. This method provides fundamental information in interpreting the behavior of two phase/multi-phase mixtures, which contribute to our understanding of the deformation process at deep earth conditions. We choose MgAl₂O₄ spinel and MgO periclase as our model materials. Mixtures of various volume proportions were deformed in a multi-anvil high pressure deformation apparatus at pressure of 5 GPa and elevated temperatures. Stress is determined from X-ray diffraction, providing a measure of stress in each individual phase of the mixture in situ during the deformation. Macroscopic strain is determined from X-ray imaging. We compare the steady state strength of various mixtures at 1000 °C and 800 °C and at the strain rate in the range of 1.8 to 8.8 × 10^− 5 s^− 1. Our data indicate that the weak phase (MgO) is responsible for most of the accumulated strains while the strong phase (spinel) is supporting most of the stress when the volume proportion is 75% spinel and 25% MgO. The intermediate compositions (40/60) are much weaker than either of the end members, while the grain sizes for the intermediate compositions (submicrons) are much smaller than the end members (5–10 μm). We conclude that a change in flow mechanism resulting from these smaller grains is responsible for the low strength of the intermediate composition mixtures. This study demonstrates an approach of using synchrotron X-rays to study the deformation behaviors of multi-phase aggregates at high pressure and high temperature.     

Integrated studies for characterization of lineaments used to locate groundwater potential zones in a hard rock region of Karnataka, India

An integrated study was carried out to investigate the subsurface geological conditions in a hard rock environment, with the aim of identifying zones with groundwater resource potential. The study, in Bairasagara watershed, Karnataka, India, considered geomorphology, water level, resistivity imaging, self potential, total magnetic field and susceptibility. The signatures due to lineaments have been clearly identified and their role in groundwater movement has been documented. Synthetic simulation methods were used to model the electrical response of the lineament using finite differential modeling scheme. The inverted image of the field data is compared with the synthetic image and iteration were performed on the initial model until a best match was obtained resulting on the generation of the calibrated resistivity image of the subsurface. Resistivity imaging revealed that the dykes are weathered/fractured to a depth of 6–8 m and are compact at deeper levels, and that they behave as barriers to groundwater movement, yet facilitate a good groundwater potential zone on the upgradient side. The results of magnetic surveys were utilized in differentiating granites and dolerite dykes with an insignificant resistivity contrast. Geomorphological expression alone cannot reveal the groundwater potential associated with a lineament. However, characterizing the nature of the feature at depth with integrated geophysical methods provides essential information for assessing that potential.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Association of hydrogeological factors in temporal variations of fluoride concentration in a crystalline aquifer in India

The major part of groundwater in India is found in granitic aquifers. Fluoride in groundwater from a crystalline aquifer in a semi-arid region of granitic rocks in India, known as Maheshwaram watershed, was analyzed for spatial and temporal variability during 1999–2002 to assess the effect of hydrogeological factors on fluoride concentration. Samples were collected from 32 representative wells in the area for the pre- and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for F content. The CHESS computer program was used to calculate ionic activities of aqueous species and the mineral saturation index (SI) for calcite and fluorite. The GARDENIA computer program was used to calculate the recharge values in the study area. The influences of dissolution kinetics of fluoride minerals and recharge from rainfall on fluoride concentration were of interest and results clearly indicate that fluoride content in groundwater depends on the interaction period of groundwater with host rock. Results could also be utilized for designing remedial measures particularly with dilution method in an optimal way.     

Formation and mineral chemistry of a calcic skarn from Al-Madhiq, SW Saudi Arabia

A newly identified skarn occurrence is described from the Neoproterozoic rocks of the SW Arabian shield. It is exposed to the SE, E and NE of the Al-Madhiq town. The skarn attributes correspond to those typical of the calcic skarns that host W-deposits. It is characterized as an exoskarn of the proximal type, related to a granitoid contact close to an impure quartzite bed within the regional metamorphic rocks of mixed sedimentary and volcanic derivation. The skarn is localized along a shear zone parallel to the regional faults and other major shear zones. Samples from the studied area contain characteristic skarn minerals that include both the prograde (brownish red grossular, ferrosalite, aluminian titanite-grothite, albite-oligoclase, scapolite), and retrograde (epidote, quartz, hornblende, calcite) assemblages. The pyroxenes are ferrosalites, Mn-bearing, and more like those from “oxidized” skarns; although garnets indicate it to be a “reduced” type skarn. Epidote mimicks that from typical skarns, as it bears a pistacite content of 15.9–20.7%. Grossular composition reflects a largely reduced genetic environment; as it is in solid solution with 6.5–21.6% andradite, 0–0.15% uvarovite, 0–0.47% pyrope, 4.33–18.75% almandine, and 0.4–8.58% spessartine molecules. Titanite composition varies from aluminian titanite to grothite, that may be analogous to the newly described Al-rich titanite from the low-pressure calc-silicate rocks.     

Soil Characterization Using Joint Interpretation of Remote Sensing,Resistivity and Induced Polarization Data along the Coast of the Nile Delta

Natural Resources Research - Soil characterization in coastal areas is essential for strategic coastal engineering implementation and for understanding the paleo-environmental conditions. However,...     

Data-Driven Modeling Approach to Predict the Recovery Performance of Low-Salinity Waterfloods

Natural Resources Research - Low-salinity waterflooding (LSWF) has, in the past decade, attained a lot of attention to enhance oil recovery. In LSWF, diluted water is injected into an oil reservoir...     

Implementation of Rock Typing on Waterflooding Process During Secondary Recovery in Oil Reservoirs: A Case Study,El Morgan Oil Field,Gulf of Suez,Egypt

Waterflooding is one of the most common secondary recovery methods in the oil and gas industry. Globally, this process sometimes suffers a technical failure and inefficiency. Therefore, a better understanding of geology, reservoir characteristics, rock typing and discrimination, hydraulic flow units, and production data is essential to analyze reasons and mechanisms of water injection failure in the injection wells. Water injection failure was reported in the Middle Miocene Hammam Faraun reservoir at El Morgan oil field in the Gulf of Suez, where two wells have been selected as injector’s wells. In the first well (A1), the efficiency of injection was not good, whereas in the other analog A2 well good efficiency was assigned. Therefore, it is required to assess the injection loss in the low efficiency well, where all aspects of the geological, reservoir and production data of the studied wells were integrated to get a complete vision for the reasons of injection failure. The available data include core analysis data (vertical and horizontal permeabilities, helium porosity, bulk density, and water and oil saturations), petrographical studies injection and reservoir water chemistry, reservoir geology, production, and injection history. The quality of the data was examined and a set of reliable X–Y plots between the available data were introduced and the reservoir quality in both wells was estimated using reservoir quality index, normalized porosity index, and flow zone indicator. Integration and processing of the core and reservoir engineering data indicate that heterogeneity of the studied sequence was the main reason for the waterflooding inefficiency at the El Morgan A1 well. The best reservoir quality was assigned to the topmost part of the reservoir, which caused disturbance of the flow regime of reservoir fluids. Therefore, it is clearly indicated that rock typing and inadequate injection perforation strategy that has not been aligned with accurate hydraulic flow units are the key control parameters in the waterflooding efficiency.

     

Application of Tree-Based Predictive Models to Forecast Air Overpressure Induced by Mine Blasting

Natural Resources Research - In surface mines and underground excavations, every blasting operation can have some destructive environmental impacts, among which air overpressure (AOp) is of major...