Chemical evolution of disposal brine of the Cerro Prieto geothermal field during its transport toward surrounding soils, Mexico

The exceeding brines of Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field (CPGF) are disposed into a lagoon and part of them infiltrate into the upper aquifer. This work describes the geochemical processes of how geothermal brine reaches the soils to the south and southwest of CPGF according to local flow lines from piezometric measurements. Soil and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed in the CPGF and the surrounding area. The model was divided into three stages: (a) Capillary rising-evaporation; (b) Mixture: geothermal brine-irrigation water and (c) Mixture-capillary rising-evaporation. The modeling was carried out taking into account the saturation stage of each solution. The mixture models and evaporation process were carried out considering a mass balance. The proposed model shows the pollution processes due to power generation through accumulation of evaporation pond soluble salts on agricultural lands in the CPGF surrounding area.     

The separation and parameter determination of PS converted phases in deep sounding by converted waves of earthquakes

The practice of deep sounding by converted waves of Earthquakes shows that the time duration of the PS converted phases is usually longer than the arrival time delay between the converted phases coming from the adjacent boundaries. So, the mutual interference of the converted phases from adjacent boundaries may form a complicated interference series of the waves. It is difficult to recognize and determine exactly the parameters of the converted waves in the interfering records. In this paper the method of omni-azimuthal polarization analysis and the method of separation of interfering waves are described. The theoretical examples show that the procedure given in the paper is rather effective to separate the interfering waves and to determine their parameters, and so, is important to improve the resolving power and the reliability of the method of deep sounding by converted waves of earthquakes. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,15, 39–45, 1993. The research reported here is a part of proposal sponsored by State Seismological Bureau and China Joint Seismological Science Foundation.     

用停止相研究震源的破裂过程

利用国内基准台的 SK 地震记录图上的停止相研究了1989年4月16日,4月25日和5月3日巴塘3次中强地震(M_s=6.5,6.5和6.3)的震源详细破裂过程。研究结果表明:巴塘3次中强地震均为不对称双侧破裂机制,断层面走向均为 NNE,震源体破裂错动总长分别为23.9,21.3和27.1km,断层面宽度分别为7.1,6.1和6.4km,破裂错动的倾角较小,因此震源体的破裂错动以水平运动为主。     

Petrographic and geochemical study of Jurassic dolostones from Lebanon: Evidence for superimposed diagenetic events

The Jurassic rock sequence in Lebanon is characterized by pervasive dolomitization (thickness > 1000 m). Two distinct dolostones are recognized within this rock succession: fine-to-medium crystalline seepage-reflux grey dolostone and coarse-crystalline hydrothermal beige dolostone. In this contribution, field, petrographic, and geochemical investigations on a dolostone ‘tongue’, occurring in Late Jurassic carbonates in central Lebanon, are discussed. The dolostone ‘tongue’ consists predominantly of the beige Late Jurassic hydrothermal dolostones. During and/or after the deposition of the overlying continental sandstones (Early Cretaceous), meteoric water percolated through the sand layers and into the underlying beige dolostones. This resulted first in dolomite intracrystalline dissolution, and then in the precipitation of oxides/hydroxides within the pore space. Finally, the precipitation of ferroan dolomite cement — from reduced fluids during a new stage of burial — took place. This study attempts to explain how superimposed diagenetic events result in a single pervasive dolostone body.     

对2003年巴楚-伽师MS6.8地震余震近台记录中特殊震相的初步探讨

2003年3月24日发生在我国新疆巴楚-伽师交界处的Ms6．8强烈地震余震序列的近台记录中普遍存在一组特殊震相，该组震相分别出现在Pg波和Sg波的后面，类似于Pg波、Sg波以分组集丛式出现，多为2～3组，且后续震相的能量有所增强。本文通过理论分析并经合成地震图验证，认为该组震相可能是受当地十几公里深的沉积层影响而形成的一种经过多次反射、折射后的叠加波。为便于描述，文中将其分别称为P1、S1震相。     

Source Parameters of the 8 October, 2005 M<Subscript>w</Subscript>7.6 Kashmir Earthquake

During the last six years, the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad has established a semi-permanent seismological network of 5 broadband seismographs and 10 accelerographs in the Kachchh seismic zone, Gujarat, with the prime objective to monitor the continued aftershock activity of the 2001 M_w7.7 Bhuj mainshock. The reliable and accurate broadband data for the M_w 7.6 (8 Oct., 2005) Kashmir earthquake and its aftershocks from this network, as well as from the Hyderabad Geoscope station, enabled us to estimate the group velocity dispersion characteristics and the one-dimensional regional shear-velocity structure of peninsular India. Firstly, we measure Rayleigh- and Love-wave group velocity dispersion curves in the range of 8 to 35 sec and invert these curves to estimate the crustal and upper mantle structure below the western part of peninsular India. Our best model suggests a two-layered crust: The upper crust is 13.8-km thick with a shear velocity (Vs) of 3.2 km/s; the corresponding values for the lower crust are 24.9 km and 3.7 km/sec. The shear velocity for the upper mantle is found to be 4.65 km/sec. Based on this structure, we perform a moment tensor (MT) inversion of the bandpass (0.05–0.02 Hz) filtered seismograms of the Kashmir earthquake. The best fit is obtained for a source located at a depth of 30 km, with a seismic moment, Mo, of 1.6 × 10²⁷ dyne-cm, and a focal mechanism with strike 19.5°, dip 42°, and rake 167°. The long-period magnitude (M_A ~ M_w) of this earthquake is estimated to be 7.31. An analysis of well-developed sPn and sSn regional crustal phases from the bandpassed (0.02–0.25 Hz) seismograms of this earthquake at four stations in Kachchh suggests a focal depth of 30.8 km.     

Sediment Thicknesses and Q<Subscript>s</Subscript> vs. Q<Subscript>p</Subscript> Relations in the Kachchh Rift Basin,Gujarat, India Using Sp Converted Phases

Delineation of the top sedimentary structure and its Q_s vs. Q_p relationship using the travel-time difference of direct S and converted Sp phase is key to understanding the seismic hazard of any sedimentary basin area. We constructed filtered displacement waveforms from local ETNA Episensor acceleration recordings as well as local velocity recordings of aftershocks of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake recorded by the Kachchh seismological network of the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, India during 2001–2004. Stations are within 15–70km of epicenters, and the resulting displacement waveforms are generally simple, displaying prominent P, Sp, and S wave pulses. Particle motion of P and S waves suggest near-vertical raypaths consistent with preliminary depth estimates. The direct S wave on the horizontal component is characterized by lower frequency content than the converted Sp phase on the vertical component. This difference in frequency content between S and Sp phases can be explained in terms of different attenuation effects for P and S waves in the unconsolidated sediments. The Sp phase is generated by S-to-P phase conversion at the base of Mesozoic sediments of the Kachchh basin. Travel-time inversion (VELEST) of 2565 P and 2380 S arrivals from 658 well located aftershocks recorded at 8–14 three-component local seismic stations led to 1 D velocity models indicated very slow sediments in the upper 0–2 km depth range (Vp: 2.92 km/s and Vs: 0.90 km/s) and an increasing trend of velocities with depth at 2–40 km depth. The estimated sediment thicknesses beneath 12 accelerograph and 6 seismograph sites from the estimated velocity model and the travel-time difference between S and converted Sp phases reaches a maximum of (1.534 ± 0.117) km beneath Bandri (near the location of 2001 Bhuj mainshock) and attains a minimum sediment thickness of (0.858 ± 0.104) km beneath Ramvav and Burudia. The spectral ratios between Sp and S from 159 three-component accelerograms have been used to study seismic wave attenuation in the Kachchh rift basin. The estimated Q_s vs. Q_p relations for 12 accelerograph sites vary from Q_s = 0.184 Q_p (at Chobari) to Q_s = 0.505 Q_p (at Dudhai). For stations Chobari, Chopdwa, Jahawarnagar, Vondh and Tapar, the spectral ratio slopes and hence the calculated Q_s vs. Q_p relations are effectively the same, and the correlation coefficients are quite high (0.91–0.93). Stations Adhoi, Manfara, New Dudhai, Dudhai and Sikara have similar Q_s vs. Q_p relationships to each other and also have high correlation coefficients (0.78–0.87). The spectral ratios for stations Anjar and Ramvav are small and poorly constrained, resulting in less reliable Q_s vs. Q_p relations. This could be due to noisy data, fewer available waveforms, or scattering due to velocity heterogeneities and/or interface irregularities.     

Thermodynamic model of formation of carbonates and uranium mineral phases in lakes Namshi-Nur and Tsagan-Tyrm (Cisbaikalia)

The Tazheran lakes are located compactly in the small Tazheran steppe area. Their bottom sediments are predominantly various calcite-dolomite carbonates, and their waters are rich in uranium. The studies have shown that the main process in these lakes is chemogenic carbonate precipitation with the participation of carbon dioxide formed through the bacterial destruction of organic matter. For thermodynamic modeling of the composition of bottom sediments, we chose two lakes with different basic parameters. Calculations were made for the 15-component heterogeneous system H₂O-Na-Ca-Mg-K-Sr-Ba-Si-Al-Cl-C-S-Fe-U-Mn including particles in the solution, minerals, and gases at 25 °C and 1 bar. As starting information, we used the obtained analytical data on the natural composition of waters and bottom sediments. The results show that calcite-dolomite carbonates are predominant in the bottom sediments and the destruction of organic matter results in reducing conditions. This confirms the hypothesis of the formation of mineral phases of U(IV) during diagenetic processes in the bottom sediments of the studied lakes.     

A New Mapping Protocol for Laser Ablation (with Fast-Funnel) Coupled to a Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (LA-FF-ICP-ToF-MS) for the Rapid,Simultaneous Quantification of Multiple Minerals

Although in situ analysis by LA-ICP-MS is considered a rapid technique with minimal sample preparation and data reduction, mapping areas of millimetres in size using a small beam (< 15 μm) can be time consuming (several hours) when a quadrupole ICP-MS is used. In addition, fully quantitative imaging using internal standardisation by LA-ICP-MS is challenging in samples with more than one mineral phase present due to varying ablation rates. A new protocol for the quantification of multiple coexisting phases, mapped at a rate of about 12 mm² h^-1 and a resolution of 12 μm × 12 μm per pixel, is presented. The protocol allows mapping of most atomic masses, ranging from ²³Na to ²³⁸U, using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ICP-ToF-MS, TOFWERK) connected to a 193 nm excimer laser. A fast-funnel device was successfully used to increase the aerosol transport speed, reducing the time usually required for mapping by a factor of about ten compared with a quadrupole ICP-MS. The lower limits of detection for mid and heavy masses are in the range 0.1–10 μg g^-1, allowing determination of trace to ultra-trace elements. The presented protocol is intended to be a routine analytical tool that can provide greater access to the spatial distribution of major and trace elements in geological materials.     

Mass spectrometric dating of flowstones from Stump Cross Caverns and Lancaster Hole,Yorkshire: palaeoclimate implications

A terrestrial flowstone sequence 97 cm thick from Stump Cross Caverns, Yorkshire, has been dated by both mass spectrometric and alpha spectrometric ²³⁸U-²³⁴U-²³⁰Th dating, and is demonstrated to have been deposited predominantly during interstadial periods over the last 170 ka, with no growth in periods of glaciation or within the Oxygen Isotope Stage 5 interglacial. Growth also occurs within Oxygen Isotope Stages 4 and 6, the former possibly correlating with interstadials recognised in high-resolution ice and ocean-core records. Comparison with the timing of growth of a mass spectrometrically dated Lancaster Hole flowstone, also from the same region, demonstrates only limited agreement. These differences are due to two factors limiting deposition at Stump Cross: flooding of the cave passage in warm periods, and the development of continuous permafrost or glacier cover in periods of severe climatic deterioration. Deposition at Lancaster Hole was controlled by limitations in ground-water supply rather than flooding of the cave passage. The results presented here demonstrate that in addition to regional palaeoclimate factors, local site conditions may limit speleothem growth. We conclude that in future palaeoclimate studies, the growth record from several coeval speleothem samples must be considered before a regional palaeoclimate interpretation can be made.