Les manifestations tectono-sédimentaires d'âge Campanien–Maastrichtien en Tunisie : implications sur l'évolution géodynamique de la marge Nord-AfricaineThe Campanian–Maastrichtian synsedimentary tectonic activity: implication in the geodynamic evolution of the North African Margin

The synsedimentary tectonic activity evidenced in central and northern Tunisia points out the fact that the Campanian–Maastrichtian deposits are associated with several NW–SE and east–west normal faults. These results suggest that the east–west transform fault of North African Margin is still active during this stage. These data allow us to discuss a new geodynamic model for the North African Margin. To cite this article: M. Dlala, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 135–140.     

Genesis of a mottled horizon by Fe-depletion within a laterite cover in the Amazon BasinGenèse d'un horizon tacheté par déferruginisation dans une couverture à latérite du Bassin amazonien

A mottled horizon in a laterite cover (without any duricrust) was studied by microscopy and quantitative chemical microanalysis. Apart from the voids, light red spots consisting of Fe-rich particles (≈2 μm) are set in clayey plasma. Dark red spots consisted of concentrations of Fe-rich particles. These patterns are inherited. On the border of structural or biological voids, where Fe-depletion features are systematic, gray or yellow spots result from dissolution of the Fe-rich particles and impregnation of the plasma by iron, respectively. The present Fe-depletion is the dominant process that explains the mottled differentiation and the absence of lateritic duricrust. To cite this article: V. Rosolen et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 187–195.     

Simulation des changements climatiques au cours du XXIe siècle incluant l'ozone stratosphériqueSimulation of climate changes during the 21st century including stratospheric ozone

Two climate simulations of 150 years, performed with a coupled ocean/sea-ice/atmosphere model including stratospheric ozone, respectively with and without heterogeneous chemistry, simulate the tropospheric warming associated with an increase of the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide and other trace gases since 1950 and their impact on sea–ice extent, as well as the stratospheric cooling and its impact on ozone concentration. The scenario with heterogeneous chemistry reproduces the formation of the ozone hole over the South Pole from the 1970s and its deepening until the present time, and shows that the ozone hole should progressively fill during the coming decades. To cite this article: J.-F. Royer et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 147–154.     

L'ı̂le de la Dominique, à l'origine des avalanches de débris les plus volumineuses de l'arc des Petites AntillesThe Island of Dominica,site for the generation of the most voluminous debris avalanches in the Lesser Antilles Arc

Results from recent fieldwork and the Aguadomar marine survey in the Lesser Antilles clearly indicate that the volcanic field of southern Dominica has experienced three major edifice collapse events. This led to formation of the most voluminous debris avalanches known in the Caribbean Arc. Submarine hummocky morphology with plurikilometric megablocks is characteristic of debris avalanche deposits. We propose that steep slopes on the western Caribbean side of the island and intense hydrothermal alteration lead to recurrent large-scale edifice collapses. Therefore islands in the Lesser Antilles face a non-negligible risk from generation of tsunamis associated with potential future edifice collapse. To cite this article: A. Le Friant et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 235–243.     

Néotectonique affectant les dépôts marins tyrrhéniens du littoral sud-est tunisien : implications pour les variations du niveau marin

Pleistocene marine deposits of so-called Tyrrhenian age in southeastern Tunisia include two lithostratigraphic units of Last Interglacial (marine isotopic substage 5e). The lower unit culminates at about +3 m above the sea level; the upper unit with Strombus bubonius culminates at +5 m. Brittle deformations affected the upper unit. The analysis of fault-slip data sets reveals a post-Tyrrhenian N020°E trending compression, consistent with joint patterns. This event induced limited vertical movements, showing that at the northeastern edge of the Saharan Platform, the coastal area of the southern Tunisia remained relatively stable since at least the Last Interglacial.     

La prospection gravimétrique dans la modélisation d'un substratum sous formation sédimentaire : apport à l'hydrogéologie d'une zone semi-aride du Sud de Madagascar

A gravimetric survey has been carried out in a sedimentary basin, south of Madagascar, in order to define the bedrock morphology. The bedrock is made up of crystalline and volcanic rocks. The objective of the survey was to demonstrate whether a relationship could be established between bedrock morphology and groundwater mineralisation. Indeed, bedrock morphology has been successfully mapped and it is confirmed that most of the low mineralisation wells are located in areas where the slope of the bedrock is trending to the south-west, which ensures a higher hydraulic conductivity, i.e. a faster water flow, than in the other parts of the survey area. To cite this article: H. Rakoto et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Strontium,SO42−/Cl− and Mg2+/Ca2+ ratios as tracers for the evolution of seawater into coastal aquifers: the example of Castell de Ferro aquifer (SE Spain)

The strontium content and the SO₄^2?/Cl^? and Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios were used as natural tracers of the residence time of seawater intrusion into the Castell de Ferro aquifer. Analysis of these parameters indicated the existence of two principal flowpaths in the aquifer. The first flows through the eastern part of the aquifer, through the karstified Castell de Ferro massif; it accommodates a larger and more rapid flow, so that the residence time is shorter, leading to lower SO₄²⁺/Cl^? ratios, lower Sr²⁺ content and higher Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios. The second flowpath is in the western sector, and flows exclusively through alluvial deposits; the flow here is slower, particularly that flowing towards the sea. Thus the residence time of the water here will be longer and there is scant flushing of the intruded seawater; this is manifested in the high Sr²⁺ content, high SO₄²⁺/Cl^? and low Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios. To cite this article: P. Pulido-Leboeuf et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Argiles et zéolites dans l'altération d'un volcan bouclier en milieu tropical (Le Piton des Neiges,La Réunion)

The drilling of a gallery through the Roche-Écrite massif (Reunion Island) allowed to sample the old formations of the ‘Piton des Neiges’ volcano. The mineralogical study of the alteration products of the formations showed significant variations of the zeolites/clay minerals ratio depending on the location of the rocks in the volcano. The abundance of zeolites in the formation near the surface hydrographic network or the underground water drainage system seems to be due to the physicochemical processes favouring zeolites in more open systems in their competition with secondary clays. To cite this article: L. Bret et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Determination of Platinum‐Group Elements in OPY‐1: Comparison of Results using Different Digestion Techniques

A new proficiency testing sample, OPY‐1 (ultramafic rock), the basis of the twentieth international proficiency test of analytical geochemistry laboratories (GeoPT 20), was recently prepared by the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG). This paper reports analytical data for Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt and Pd with different digestion techniques, including an improved Carius tube, Carius tube combined with HF dissolution and alkaline fusion. About 4–15% of the PGEs are in the silicate phase, which cannot be leached by aqua regia even when digested at 300 °C with the Carius tube technique. Both the Carius tube technique combined with HF dissolution and alkaline fusion can obtain reliable data. The results demonstrated that OPY‐1 is sufficiently homogeneous at a 2 g test portion level to be suitable as a reference material for method validation. The procedure for sealing the Carius tube was simplified and the recommended digestion procedures are provided.