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Volume 1 Issue 4

December 2009

Issue of Open Geosciences

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Open Access December 1, 2009

Silicate-carbonate-salt liquid immiscibility and origin of the sodalite-haüyne rocks: study of melt inclusions in olivine foidite from Vulture volcano, S. Italy

Liya Panina, Francesco Stoppa

Page range: 377-392

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Abstract

Melt inclusions in clinopyroxenes of olivine foidite bombs from Serra di Constantinopoli pyroclastic flows of the Vulture volcano (Southern Italy) were studied in detail. The rocks contain abundant zoned phenocrysts and xenocrysts of clinopyroxene, scarce grains of olivine, leucite, haüyne, glass with microlites of plagioclase and K-feldspar. The composition of clinopyroxene in xenocrysts (Cpx I), cores (Cpx II), and in rims (Cpx III) of phenocrysts differs in the content of Mg, Fe, Ti, and Al. All clinopyroxenes contain two types of primary inclusion-pure silicate and of silicate-carbonate-salt composition. This fact suggests that the phenomena of silicate-carbonate immiscibility took place prior to crystallization of clinopyroxene. Homogenization of pure silicate inclusions proceeded at 1 225 – 1 190°C. The composition of conserved melts corresponded to that of olivine foidite in Cpx I, to tephrite-phonolite in Cpx II, and phonolite-nepheline trachyte in Cpx III. The amount of water in them was no more than 0.9 wt.%. Silicate-carbonate inclusions decrepitated on heating. Salt globules contained salts of alkali-sulphate, alkali-carbonate, and Ca-carbonate composition somewhat enriched in Ba and Sr. This composition is typical of carbonatite melts when decomposed into immiscible fractions. The formation of sodalite-haüyne rocks from Vulture is related to the presence of carbonate-salt melts in magma chamber. The melts conserved in clinopyroxenes were enriched in incompatible elements, especially in Cpx III. High ratios of La, Nb, and Ta in melts on crystallization of Cpx I and Cpx II suggest the influence of a carbonatite melt as carbonatites have extremely high La/Nb and Nb/Ta and this is confirmed by the appearance of carbonatite melts in magma chamber. Some anomalies in the concentrations and relatives values of Eu and especially Ga seems typical of Italian carbonatite related melts. The mantle source for initial melts was, most likely, rather uniform, undepleted and was characterized by a low degree of melting and probable presence of garnet in restite.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Mineralogy and technical properties of clayey diatomites from north and central Greece

Ioanna Ilia, Michael Stamatakis, Theodora Perraki

Page range: 393-403

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Abstract

Two bulk samples of clayey diatomite of Upper Miocene age originated from Western Macedonia, northern Greece and Thessaly central Greece were examined for their efficiency to be used as industrial absorbents. The samples were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction, Thermo-Gravimetric and Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and ICP-MS analytical methods. The absorption capability of the clayey samples in oil and water were also examined. The mineralogy of both samples is predominated by the presence of clay minerals and amorphous silica. The clay minerals prevailed in the Klidi (KL) bulk sample, with muscovite being the dominant phase, and kaolinite and chlorite occurring in minor amounts. In the Drimos (DR) bulk sample, vermiculite was the predominant clay phase. Smectite was not found in either sample, whereas detrital quartz and feldspars were present in significant amounts. The amorphous silica phase (opal-A) occurs mainly with the form of disck-shaped diatom frustules. The chemistry of the samples is characterized by the predominance of silica, alumina, and iron, whereas all the other major and the trace elements are in low concentrations. Both clayey diatomite rocks exhibited sufficiently good oil and water absorption capacity, ranging between 70 to 79% in the clay-rich sample KL and 64 to 70% in the opal-A-rich sample DR. Comparing the properties of the rocks studied with other commercial absorbents, it is concluded that they may find applications as absorbents in industrial uses.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Single element and competitive sorption of copper, zinc and lead onto a Luvisol profile

Péter Sipos

Page range: 404-415

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Abstract

The sorption parameters of Cu, Zn and Pb are related to the composition of the different genetic horizons of a Luvisol profile in batch sorption experiments. The affinities of metals towards the soil samples from different horizons followed the same sequence, e.g. Pb≥C>>Zn. By far the highest metal retention was found in the Ck horizon due to the alkaline conditions. It is followed by the A horizon with its high organic matter content, while the lowest sorption capacity was found in the Bt horizon. In the horizons free of carbonate, primarily Pb and Cu were immobilized. The studied soil can be characterized by high amount of organic matter, clay accumulation horizon, as well as calcareous subsoil. This kind of profile development makes soils able to immobilize a significant metal pollution.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Accurate hypocentre locations in the Middle-Durance Fault Zone, South-Eastern France

Sebastiano Imposa, Jean-Pierre Fourno, Rosario Raffaele, Antonio Scaltrito, Luciano Scarfi

Page range: 416-423

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Abstract

A one-dimensional velocity model and station corrections for the Middle-Durance fault zone (south-eastern France) were computed by inverting P-wave arrival times recorded on a local seismic network of 8 stations. A total of 93 local events with a minimum of 6 P-phases, RMS 0.4 s and a maximum gap of 220° were selected. Comparison with previous earthquake locations shows an improvement for the relocated earthquakes. Tests were carried out to verify the robustness of inversion results in order to corroborate the conclusions drawn from our findings. The obtained minimum 1-D velocity model can be used to improve routine earthquake locations and represents a further step toward more detailed seismotectonic studies in this area of south-eastern France.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Modified Finslerian spaces for more effective ray-tracing. Application to seismic travel-time tomography

Michael Arvanitis

Page range: 424-430

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Abstract

This paper deals with a new ray-tracing approach for seismic travel-time tomography, using the Finslerian geometry. Traditional ray-tracing methods produce poor results because non-uniform coverage of rays in the whole computational domain. We developed and tested the new algorithm based on the Finsler geometry. Tests were carried out using both synthetic and real data. The results are described in this paper.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Geotechnical and mineralogical properties of weak rocks from Central Greece

Ilia Ioanna, Rozos Dimitrios, Perraki Theodora, Tsangaratos Paris

Page range: 431-442

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Abstract

Thirty bulk samples of hard soils-soft rocks such as marls, originating from Euboea Island and Peloponnesus area, were investigated to evaluate their geotechnical behavior. Specifically, by conducting a series of physical and geotechnical tests, such as liquid limit and plastic limit tests, along with the estimation of the grain size fraction, Slake Durability and Point Load Test. Certain parameters were determined and used for empirical correlations with their mineralogical characteristics. The mineralogical composition was determined by X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric and thermal analysis, succeeded by textural analysis performed by Optical Microscope. With the help of the above mentioned tests, we interpreted the observed geotechnical behavior of the examined weak rocks by means of mineralogical composition and texture. Durability and the unconfined compressive strength was found to be influenced by high percentages in carbonate minerals. In addition, it was found that a decrease in clay content resulted in higher strength and durability values. The concluded empirical correlations verified the influence of these parameters and gave a general overview of the engineering behavior of the examined weak rocks.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Surface wind speed probability distribution in the Southeast Pacific of Marine Stratus and Stratocumulus regions

Yanping He

Page range: 443-455

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Abstract

Probability distributions of surface wind speeds (SWS) near coastal regions are needed for applications such as estimating offshore wind power and ocean surface fluxes and for offshore wind risk assessments. Ocean surface wind speed probability distribution (PDF) is characterized using three-year QuikSCAT and AIRS satellite observations in the southeast Pacific of marine stratus and stratocumulus (MSC) regions. Seasonal variation is removed from wind statistics. It was found that the observed SWS standard deviation has a linear positive relationship with its mean SWS; while the SWS skewness decreases with mean SWS in regimes of strong winds and increases with mean SWS in regimes of weak winds. A simple 1D conceptual model is developed near the Peruvian region, which successfully reproduces the observed relationship between higher moments of SWS and its mean value. The model based physical picture among ocean surface winds, SST, and marine boundary clouds are supported by three-year QuikSCAT surface wind observations and fifteen-year ERA40 re-analysis data. Model sensitive tests suggest that large-scale divergence, and strengths of momentum and cloud fluctuations have significant effects on the ocean SWS-PDF in marine stratus and stratocumulus regions.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Utilization of geoinformation tools for the development of forest fire hazard mapping system: example of Pekan fire, Malaysia

Ahmad Mahmud, Iwan Setiawan, Shattri Mansor, Abdul Shariff, Biswajeet Pradhan, Ahmed Nuruddin

Page range: 456-462

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Abstract

A study in modeling fire hazard assessment will be essential in establishing an effective forest fire management system especially in controlling and preventing peat fire. In this paper, we have used geographic information system (GIS), in combination with other geoinformation technologies such as remote sensing and computer modeling, for all aspects of wild land fire management. Identifying areas that have a high probability of burning is an important component of fire management planning. The development of spatially explicit GIS models has greatly facilitated this process by allowing managers to map and analyze variables contributing to fire occurrence across large, unique geographic units. Using the model and its associated software engine, the fire hazard map was produced. Extensive avenue programming scripts were written to provide additional capabilities in the development of these interfaces to meet the full complement of operational software considering various users requirements. The system developed not only possesses user friendly step by step operations to deliver the fire vulnerability mapping but also allows authorized users to edit, add or modify parameters whenever necessary. Results from the model can support fire hazard mapping in the forest and enhance alert system function by simulating and visualizing forest fire and helps for contingency planning.

Open Access December 1, 2009

Forward modelling of the Bureba escarpment (Rioja Trough, N-Spain)

Daniel Mikeš

Page range: 463-471

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Abstract

In this work I use the numerical model TAO to study the evolution of the Bureba escarpment, sitting at the watershed between Duero and Ebro Basins and draining into the Rioja Trough. Facies correlation across this area is troublesome through lack of age-dates and therefore timing of tectonosedimentary events is controversial. Numerical modelling should shed some light on the evolution of this area. To that end I have run homogeneous and heterogeneous models for a range of values of erodability, runoff and elastic thickness. The models demonstrate that the tilting of the NE Duero could have resulted from isostatic compensation to erosion in the Rioja Trough and that the Bureba escarpment is a natural barrier to erosion preventing escarpment retreat for at least the next 1 My.

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