Hydrothermal alteration and evolution of Zr-Th-U-REE mineralization in the microgranite of Wadi Ras Abda,North Eastern Desert,Egypt

Ras Abda plutonic suite, North Eastern Desert of Egypt, consists predominantly of Neoproterozoic calc-alkaline older granites. Minor exposures of pink microgranite are occurring along Wadi Ras Abda within the older granites. Previous studies on this area demonstrated that the microgranite is altered in some parts and contains anomalous concentrations of rare metal elements (Zr, Th, and U). These altered and mineralized zones are re-assessed using field observations, chemical analysis, and by the application of various transmitted light and electron microscopic techniques. The rare metals exist as mineral segregation grew freely into open cavities of the microgranite and concordant with the NNE strike-slip fault movement. The mineralized zones contain an assemblage of secondary magnetite, zircon, uranothorite, columbite-(Mn), fergusonite-(Y), and allanite-(Ce). The extreme abundance of zircon in the mineralized zone, along with other evidence, indicates a hydrothermal origin of this zircon together with associated rare metals. The geochemical investigation and mass balance calculations revealed extreme enrichment of Zr, Th, U, Y, Nb, Ta, and REE. Post-magmatic hydrothermal alterations resulted in such pronounced chemical and mineralogical heterogeneity. The hydrothermal fluids are thought to be oxidizing, alkaline and of medium temperature (>?250 °C). The average contents of the elements Zr (1606 ppm), Th (1639 ppm), U (306 ppm), Nb (955 ppm), and REE (1710 ppm) in the mineralized microgranite reach sub-economic levels and could be a potential source of these elements.     

Diagenetic evolution vis-a-vis reservoir characteristics of Dhosa sandstones,Ler dome,Kachchh, western India

The detrital mineralogy as well as diagenetic characters of the Dhosa Sandstone Member of Chari Formation exposed at the Lerdome, south of Bhuj was studied. In order to assess the potential of the Dhosa Sandstone as a reservoir, it is substantial to understand the diagenetic processes that are controlled largely by post-depositional cementation and compaction in addition to framework composition and original depositional textures. The petrologic analysis of 33 thin sections was carried out to discern primary composition and diagenetic features including primary and secondary porosity patterns. Monocrystalline quartz dominates the detrital mineralogy followed by polycrystalline quartz. Among the polycrystalline variety recrystallized metamorphic quartz surpasses stretched metamorphic quartz in terms of abundance. Feldspars comprise microcline and plagioclase where the former is dominant over the latter. Orthoclase too comprises a very small percentage. Mica, chert, rock fragments, and heavies form the remaining detrital constituent in descending order of their constituent percentage. The diagenetic precipitates are mainly carbonate (8.30%) and iron (7.80%) followed by clay (0.66%) and silica (0.88%) that are minor constituent of the total cementing material. The main paragenetic events identified are early cementation, mechanical compaction, late cementation, dissolution, and authigenesis of clays. The overall reservoir quality seems to be controlled by compaction and authigenic carbonate cementation. The minus cement porosity average 29.4%. The porosity loss due to compaction is 21.92% and by cementation is 29.71%. The loss of original porosity was due to early cementation followed by moderate mechanical compaction during shallow burial. Preservation of available miniscule primary porosity was ascribed to dissolution of carbonates and quartz overgrowth which resisted chemical compaction during deep burial. The studied sandstones may have low reservoir quality owing to existing porosity of less than 9%. More carbonate dissolution and its transformation in dolomite in sub-surface condition and macro-fracture porosity may result in enhanced secondary porosity and good diagenetic traps.     

Petrology,geochemistry and geodynamic setting of Eocene-Oligocene alkaline intrusions from the Alborz-Azerbaijan magmatic belt,NW Iran

The Kaleybar, Razgah and Bozqush (KRB) intrusions were studied to better understand subduction-related Eocene-Oligocene alkaline magmatism in NW Iran. The bulk of intrusions mainly consist of Si-undersaturated rocks including foid-bearing monzonite and syenite (nepheline syenite, pseudoleucite syenite) with some foid-bearing diorite and gabbro. In addition, they are spatially associated with Si-saturated rocks ranging in composition from monzo-diorite to syeno-granite. The main mafic rock-forming minerals of the studied rocks are olivine (Fo₄₄Fa₅₆), clinopyroxene (diopside to augite), biotite (Mg-biotite through Fe-biotite), amphibole (ferro-pargasite and magnesio-hastingsite with Mg#<0.55), and garnet (Ti-andradites). Based on whole rock geochemistry, the foid-syenites and associated rocks show mildly alkaline (shoshonitic) affinity. The content of SiO₂, K₂O?+?Na₂O, and K₂O/Na₂O ratio ranges from 47.8 to 60.7?wt.%, 5.31 to 16.33?wt.%, and 0.6 to 3.2, respectively. The intrusions are commonly metaluminous, with an aluminum-saturation index (ASI) ranging from 0.66 to 1.01. Almost all the rocks display similar arc-related geochemical features characterized by the enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE) together with the depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE). The chondrite-normalized REE patterns show no to marked negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*?=?0.55 to 1.12), (La/Yb)_N?=?8.16 to 31, (La/Sm)_N?=?2.80 to 10.59, and (Tb/Yb)_N?=?0.84 to 2.40. The evaluation of the REE patterns for the KRB magmas and the comparison of the trace element ratios with experimental studies indicate a chemically enriched lithospheric mantle source composed of garnet-spinel-lherzolite that have underwent a low degree of partial melting <5% to generate the KRB intrusions. Based on the present data, we infer that the mantle source was contaminated by a subduction component and the melting of the mantle lithosphere occurred by local extension in an overall convergent regime in NW Iran. The extension regime during the Eocene is proposed to be the result of the Neo-Tethys slab roll-back and the Sevan-Akera-Qaradagh (SAQ) slab break-off.     

Episodic crustal growth in the Bundelkhand craton of central India shield: Constraints from petrogenesis of the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses and K-rich granites of Bundelkhand tectonic zone

Tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses (TTG) and K-rich granites are extensively exposed in the Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Bundelkhand craton of central India. The TTGs rocks are coarse- grained with biotite, plagioclase feldspar, K-feldspar and amphibole as major constituent phases. The major minerals constituting the K-rich granites are K-feldspar, plagioclase feldspar and biotite. They are also medium to coarse grained. Mineral chemical studies show that the amphiboles of TTG are calcic amphibole hastingsite, plagioclase feldspars are mostly of oligoclase composition, K-feldspars are near pure end members and biotites are solid solutions between annite and siderophyllite components. The K-rich granites have biotites of siderophyllite–annite composition similar to those of TTGs, plagioclase feldspars are oligoclase in composition, potassic feldspars have \(\hbox {X}_{\mathrm{K}}\) ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 and are devoid of any amphibole. The tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneiss samples have high \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) (64.17–74.52 wt%), \(\hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}\) (3.11–5.90 wt%), low Mg# (30–47) and HREE contents, with moderate \((\hbox {La/Yb})_{\mathrm{CN}}\) values (14.7–33.50) and Sr/Y ratios (4.85–98.7). These geochemical characteristics suggest formation of the TTG by partial melting of the hydrous basaltic crust at pressures and depths where garnet and amphibole were stable phases in the Paleo-Mesoarchean. The K-rich granite samples show high \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) (64.72–76.73 wt%), \(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O}\) (4.31–5.42), low \(\hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}\) (2.75–3.31 wt%), Mg# (24–40) and HREE contents, with moderate to high \((\hbox {La/Yb})_{\mathrm{CN}}\) values (9.26–29.75) and Sr/Y ratios (1.52–24). They differ from their TTG in having elevated concentrations of incompatible elements like K, Zr, Th, and REE. These geochemical features indicate formation of the K-granites by anhydrous partial melting of the Paleo-Mesoarchean TTG or mafic crustal materials in an extensional regime. Combined with previous studies it is interpreted that two stages of continental accretion (at 3.59–3.33 and 3.2–3.0 Ga) and reworking (at 2.5–1.9 Ga) occurred in the Bundelkhand craton from Archaean to Paleoproterozoic.     

An analysis of climatic and human induced determinants of agricultural land use changes in Shupiyan area of Jammu and Kashmir state,India

The economy of the Jammu and Kashmir state depends mostly on traditional forms of occupation. Unaffected and unaltered by modern day industrial developments and changing times, the indigenous traditional occupations of farming, animal husbandry and horticulture forms the backbone of the state economy. But in the last few decades, Agriculture in the state as well as the study area is receiving a set back and Horticulture is flourishing leaps and bounds. The present study aims to analyze various determinants responsible for this change. Climatic as well as field data was thoroughly analyzed to comprehend the situation. A Mann–Kendall test was done on the climatic data to support the hypotheses. It was observed that initially changing climatic trends proved to be the triggering factor supporting this change, but in due course of time, the determinants took an economic and psychological turn. The perusal of Indian Meteorological Data reveals an increasing trend of annual mean maximum temperature from 16.78 °C in 1985 to 17.58 °C in 1995 and an increase from 5.30 °C to 7.00 °C in the annual mean minimum temperature, and as such acting as a triggering factor for the land use conversion. Further, the mean annual rainfall shows a decrease from 100.75 mm in 1981 to 79.43 mm in 1991. The greater economic returns from horticulture as well as the changing behavioral patterns of people over the time further cemented its growth. The farmers have since persisted with the horticulture activity as it has proven to be an economically a much better lucrative enterprise.     

Selecting Equivalent Strength for Intact Rocks in Heterogeneous Rock Masses

Many surface and underground structures are constructed in heterogeneous rock formations. These formations have a combination of weak and strong rock layers. Due to the alternation of the weak and strong layers, selecting the equivalent and appropriate geomechanical parameters for these formations is challenging. One of these problems is choosing the equivalent strength (i.e., uniaxial compressive strength) of intact rock for a group of rocks. Based on the volume of weak and strong parts and their strength, the equivalent strength of heterogeneous rocks changes. Marinos and Hoek (Bull Eng Geol Environ 60(2):85–92, 2001) presented the “weighted average method” for defining the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of heterogeneous rock masses based on the volume of weak and strong parts. Laubscher (1977) used the volume ratio of the strength of a weak part to a strong part (UCS weak/UCS strong) to determine the equivalent strength. In this study, the two methods are compared and their validity is evaluated by experimental data and numerical analyses. The geomechanical parameters of two heterogeneous formations (Aghajari and Lahbari) in the west of Iran were estimated using these methods. The results of the present study obtained through numerical analyses using particle flow code are compared with those of previous studies and discussed. Laboratory and numerical results show UCS decrease and approach to weak strength with an increasing in volume of weak part. When strength ratio of strong to weak rock increase, equivalent strength decrease more severely. The findings show that Laubscher’s method gives more appropriate results than the weighted average method.     

ENSO and IOD analysis on the occurrence of floods in Pakistan

Different techniques have been used to discuss the existence of significant relation between the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Various studies present their interaction and influence on the natural disasters (i.e. drought, flood, etc.) over large parts of the globe. This study uses a Markov chain method to investigate the relation between the ENSO and IOD for the period of 62 years (1950–2011) and aggregates their influence on the occurrence of floods in Pakistan. Both data sets show similarities in the formation of transition matrices and expected number of visits from one state to another. The strong values of 2-dimensional correlation and high self-communication of the transition states confirm the existence of a possible relation between ENSO and IOD data. Moreover, significant values of dependency and stationary test endorse the applicability of the Markov chain analyses. The independent analysis shows that strong events of both data sets are co-occurred in the same flood years. During the study period maximum number of floods was observed during summer monsoon season. However, further analysis shows that after 1970, Pakistan observed the highest percentage of floods occurred per year during El Nino, Non-ENSO and positive IOD years. These observations and results demonstrate that climate variability especially ENSO and IOD should be incorporated into disaster risk analyses and policies in Pakistan.     

Integrated methodology for flood risk assessment and application in urban communities of Pakistan

Flood disasters and its consequent damages are on the rise globally. Pakistan has been experiencing an increase in flood frequency and severity along with resultant damages in the past. In addition to the regular practices of loss and damage estimation, current focus is on risk assessment of hazard-prone communities. Risk measurement is complex as scholars engaged in disaster science and management use different quantitative models with diverse interpretations. This study tries to provide clarity in conceptualizing disaster risk and proposes a risk assessment methodology with constituent components such as hazard, vulnerability (exposure and sensitivity) and coping/adaptive capacity. Three communities from different urban centers in Pakistan have been selected based on high flood frequency and intensity. A primary survey was conducted in selected urban communities to capture data on a number of variables relating to flood hazard, vulnerability and capacity to compute flood risk index. Households were categorized into different risk levels, such as can manage risk, can survive and cope, and cannot cope. It was found that risk levels varied significantly across the households of the three communities. Metropolitan city was found to be highly vulnerable as compared to smaller cities due to weak capacity. Households living in medium town had devised coping mechanisms to manage risk. The proposed methodology is tested and found operational for risk assessment of flood-prone areas and communities irrespective of locations and countries.     

Investigation of Failed Slopes Based on a New Method of Back Analysis in Rock Masses: A Case Study

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - Small variation in shear strength parameters results in remarkable changes in the safety factor (SF) of a rock slope. In this regard, rock mass strength of...     

On the Application of the Novel Thin Spray-on Liner (TSL): A Progress Report in Mining Operations

Stability is the main problem in underground excavations that can result in rock-related accidents or closure of mines. This is often controlled by the geological condition of the rockmass and the in situ stress field where excavation is being carried out. Over the years, conventional support systems such as bolts, shotcrete and mesh have been the standard support systems used in difficult ground conditions to maintain stability of underground openings. The novel Thin Spray Liner (TSL) is a technology with an improvement in terms of support capabilities for difficult geological conditions. This technology is predicted to replace conventional support systems, as it offers a significant yielding capacity that is better than that of the traditional techniques of controlling strata. The performance of the TSL lies between that of shotcrete and wire mesh. The TSL has numerous advantages regarding rock reinforcement such as rapid curing period, fast application, high tensile strength, high adhesion properties that prevent movement of rock keyblocks, improved cycle times, reduction in material-handling compared to shotcrete, and a significant ability to penetrate joints. These advantages increase the allowance for mechanisation and improvement of safety in excavations. Despite various benefits of TSLs, there are shortcomings which make end-users to be sceptical about the technology. This study provides a detailed review of the mechanism, properties, composition and types, as well as the general and mining applications of TSLs. It also describes the challenges faced by the mining industry and other end-users in accepting the technology as a solution for stability issues in underground openings. In addition, some insightful suggestions are made as recommendations for future work on the development of suitable, effective and efficient thin surface rock support technology within limitations/constraints.