Fluid-rock interaction experiments with andesite at 100℃ for potential carbon storage in geothermal reservoirs

Geothermal energy extraction often results in the release of naturally occurring carbon dioxide(CO_(2))as a byproduct.Research on carbon storage using volcanic rock types other than basalt under both acidic and elevated temperature conditions has been limited so far.Our study uses batch reactor experiments at 100℃ to investigate the dissolution of andesite rock samples obtained from an active geothermal reservoir in Sumatra(Indonesia).The samples are subjected to reactions with neutral-pH fluids and acidic fluids,mimicking the geochemical responses upon reinjection of geothermal fluids,either without or with dissolved acidic gases,respectively.Chemical elemental analysis reveals the release of Ca^(2+)ions into the fluids through the dissolution of feldspar.The overall dissolution rate of the rock samples is 2.4×10^(–11)to 4.2×10^(–11)mol/(m^(2)·s),based on the Si release during the initial 7 h of the experiment.The dissolution rates are about two orders of magnitude lower than those reported for basaltic rocks under similar reaction conditions.This study offers valuable insights into the potential utilization of andesite reservoirs for effective CO_(2) storage via mineralization.

Generation of andesite through partial melting of basaltic metasomatites in the mantle wedge:Insight from quantitative study of Andean andesites

Continental crust in average exhibits a similar composition in both major and trace elements to andesites along active continental margins.For this reason,andesitic magmatism above oceanic subduction zones is considered to have played a key role in the generation of continental crust along convergent plate boundaries.With respect to the origin of andesites themselves,however,there is still a hot debate on how they have acquired their geochemcial compositions.The debate is mainly centralized on the relative contributions of crustal contamination,magma differentiation and source mixing,which reaches an impasse in the past decades.The essential reason for this kind of debates is that these three mechanisms only can account for some of the geochemical observations for andesites,leading to insufficient discrimination among them.Nevertheless,the geochemical features of andesites are primarily controled from early to late by the composition of their source rocks in addition to partial melting and magma differentiation processes.If source mixing and partial melting processes in the early stage of andesite magmatism can account for the first-order geochemical features of andesites,there is no need to invoke the late processes of magma differentiation and crustal contamination for andesite petrogenesis.This is illustrated by quantitative forward modeling of the geochemical data for Quaternary andesites from the Andean arc in South America based on an integrated interpretation of these data.The modeling has run with four steps from early to late:(1)dehydration of the subducting oceanic crust at forearc depths;(2)partial melting of the subducting terrigenous sediment and altered oceanic basalt at subarc depths to produce hydrous felsic melts;(3)the generation of basaltic metasomatites(e.g.,Si-excess pyroxenite)in the mantle wedge through reaction of the mantle wedge peridotite with large amounts of the hydrous felsic melts;(4)the production of andesitic melts by partial melting of the basaltic metasomatites.The results not only testify the hypothesis that the trace element and radiogenic isotope compositions of andesites can be directly produced by the source mixing and mantle melting but also demonstrate that partial melting of the basaltic metasomatites can reproduce the lithochemical composition of andesites.The compositional variations of Andean andesites within a single volcanic zone and among different volcanic zones can be explained by incorporating different amounts of heterogeneous hydrous felsic melts into their mantle sources,followed by different degree of partial melting under different pressures and temperatures.Therefore,the source mixing and partial melting processes at subarc depths can account for the first-order geochemical features of Andean andesites.In this regard,it may be not necessary for andesite petrogenesis to invoke the significant contributions from the processes of magma differentiation and crustal contamination.

Geochronology, geochemistry and Hf isotopes of andesites in the Sandaowanzi gold deposit(Great Xing’an Range, NE China): implications for petrogenesis, tectonic setting,and mineralization

The Sandaowanzi gold deposit is an extremely Au-rich deposit in the Northern Great Hinggan Range in recent years.Zircon U-Pb geochronology,Hf isotope analysis,and the geochemistry of andesites of the Longjiang Formation from the Sandaowanzi gold deposit were used to investigate the origin,magmatic evolution as well as mineralization and tectonic setting of the Early Cretaceous epithermal gold deposits in the northern Great Hinggan Range area.Zircon U-Pb dating reveals an emplacement age of 123.4±0.3 Ma,indicating that the andesites of the Sandaowanzi gold deposit was formed during the Early Cretaceous.The andesites are enriched in light rare earth elements relative to heavy rare earth elements and have weak negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.76-0.90).The rocks are also enriched in large-ion lithophile elements,such as Rb,Ba,Th,U,and K,and depleted in the high-field-strength elements,such as Nb,Ta,and P.These characteristics are typical of volcanic rocks related to subduction.Igneous zircons from the andesite samples have relatively homogeneous Hf isotope ratios,176Hf/177Hf values of 0.282343-0.282502,εHf(t)values of-12.58 to-6.95,and two-stage model ages(TDM2)of 1743-1431 Ma.The characteristics of the andesites of the Longjiang Formation are consistent with derivation from partial melting of enriched mantle wedge metasomatized by subducted-slab-derived fluids.These rocks formed in an extensional environment associated with the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.Mineralization occurred towards the end of volcanism,and the magmatic activity and mineralization are products of the same geodynamic setting.

Swelling characteristics of andesite foundation induced by water immersion and their influence on ballastless track subgrade

To study the mechanical and deformation characteristics of ballastless track subgrade filled with micro-expansion fillers in a water-immersed environment, a physical model of ballastless track subgrade was constructed on a 1:2 scale with expansive andesite fillers. A water immersion test was carried out to model the soaking of the expansive soil foundation caused by rising groundwater. The swelling behaviors of the foundation and their influences upon the mechanics and deformations of the subgrade were analyzed. The lateral swelling pressure of the foundation and the heave of the subgrade obviously increased due to the water immersion, and the values were closely related to the overlying load and lateral restraint. The heave deformation of the double-line ballastless track subgrade showed significant nonuniformity along the lateral direction, causing the track slab to incline with a maximum inclination angle of 1.55×10^-3 deg. The heave of the foundation caused a heave in subgrade, but this transferred heave was significantly attenuated. The attenuation rate of the heave at the midline of the track slab was up to 13.38%. The attenuation characteristic can be fully utilized for the anti-heave deformation measures of railway subgrade in expansive soil areas.

Microscopic pore characteristics of andesite and implication from mineral content:A case study in Huoshiling Formation of Changling fault depression,Songliao Basin

In order to study the microscopic pore characteristics of andesite reservoir and the effect of mineral content on the andesite pore,this study takes the andesite of the Huoshiling Formation in Longfengshan of Changling fault depression,Songliao Basin as a subject.The andesite reservoir space was discerned through the observation of cores and casting thin sections.Besides,the pore size distribution of andesites and their mineral contents were quantitatively characterized by high-pressure mercury injection,nitrogen adsorption and XRD,respectively.The results show that:(1)There are various types of reservoir space in andesites,including vesicles,amygdule,intergranular pores,matrix dissolution pores and dissolution pores of amygdala,and three types of fractures including dissolution,structural and explosion fractures.(2)The pore size distribution of andesite is complex.The main pore size of andesite is mid-pore(10-20 nm)with some large-pores(>50 nm).Mid-pore and large-pore provide the main specific surface area,which are the main space for gas storage.(3)The andesite reservoir space in the study area is mainly controlled by dissolution,as supported by the relationship between the change of mineral content and porosity evolution.The porosity of andesites decreases with the increase of quartz and chlorite content,but increases with the increase of soluble mineral,e.g.,feldspar content.

Strength Developing in Clay-Andesite Brick

The objective of this work was to develop a more and better understanding of the strength developing in clay-andesite fired brick. The purpose was to improve the quality of the clay bricks that are handmade in the southern region of Ecuador to make them suitable for more widespread use in the local construction industry. To achieve our goal, we first physically, chemically, and mechanically characterized the “clayey” and “sandy” materials used in the fabrication of handmade bricks in the region. Second, the optimal mixture (OM): the optimal proportion between the amounts of “clayey” and “sandy” material was sought. Third, clay bricks were prepared using the OM, baked at 950°C, and characterized. In addition, bricks produced by regional artisans were characterized, and the results were compared with the results obtained for the bricks prepared using the OM. Our data reveal that the optimal mixture is 50% “clayey” material and 50% “sandy” material and that with this mixture, an average improvement in brick quality of 300% can be achieved;thus, the use of the OM makes it possible to expand the use of these bricks in the local construction industry and enables an environmentally friendly production process by reducing the intensive exploitation of regional clay deposits. This improvement is achieved by virtue of the anorthite enrichment that occurs in the solid solution, which results from the evolution of andesine. The anorthite contributes to the formation of a stronger matrix among the different grains of the material. Conditions are favorable for this enrichment process to occur when “sandy” materials with high contents of andesite, which is common in Ecuadorian soils, are used.

Geochemistry of high-Mg andesites from the early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, western Liaoning: Implications for lower crustal delamination and Sr/Y variations

85 volcanic rocks of the Yixian Formation from the Sihetun type section werecollected and analyzed for geochemical and isotopic compositions. Major element compositionsindicate that the Sihetun volcanic rocks are high magnesium andesites with some basalts occurring atthe bottom of section. The Sihetun high magnesium andesites (SiO_2 = 52.82-59.31 wt%, Al_2O_3=14.15-16.35wt%) show many characteristics of adakites such as depletion in heavy rare-earth elements(HREE; Yb = 1.03-1.88 μg/g) and Y(12-20 μg/g) and high Sr (620-1323 μg/g) and Sr/Y(32-88), withhigh La_N/Yb_N ratio (10-25). They share similar major and trace element characteristics to volcanicrocks from the Xinglonggou Formation except their lower Nd isotope ratios (^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd(130Ma) = 0.5118-0.5119, ε_(Nd) (130Ma) = -11.6-13.8, ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr (130 Ma) = 0.7058-0.7064.They were interpreted in a way that eclogite that formed at the base of thickened Archean lowercrust of the North China craton foundered into the convecting mantle and subsequently melted andinteracted with peridotite. However, compared to the Xinglonggou volcanic rocks, the source of theSihetun magma contained more ancient continental crustal material in order to explain its evolved Ndisotopes. The age of the Sihetun Formation was 120 to 130 Ma, and this indicates that delaminationlasted to the early Cretaceous period. The Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios of the Sihetun high-Mgandesites show significant negative correlations with SiO_2 for samples with SiO_2 】 56%. Thesesuggest that the Sr and Sr/Y values were reduced due to fractional crystallization of plagioclase.Accordingly, the effect of crystallization on volcanic Sr and Sr/Y ratio has to be taken intoaccount.

Reaction experiments between tonalitic melt and mantle olivine and their implications for genesis of high-Mg andesites within cratons

High-Mg （Mg#〉45） andesites （HMA） within cratons attract great attention from geologists. Their origin remains strongly debated. In order to examine and provide direct evidence for previous assumptions about HMA＇s genesis inferred from petrolog- ical and geochemical investigations, we performed reaction experiments between tonalitic melt and mantle olivine on a six-anvil apparatus at high-temperature of 1250-1400℃ and high-pressure of 2.0-5.0 GPa. Our experiments in this work simulated the interaction between the tonalitic melt derived from partial melting of eclogitized lower crust foundering into the Earth＇s mantle and mantle peridotite. The experimental results show that the reacted melts have very similar variations in chemical compositions to the HMAs within the North China Craton. Therefore, this interaction is probably an important pro- cess to generate the HMAs within crations.

Identification of the Original Tectonic Setting for Oceanic Andesite Using Discrimination Diagrams:An Approach Based on Global Geochemical Data Synthesis

Systematical analyses of data from GEOROC and PetDB database show that large amount of Cenozoic andesites occurred in the various oceanic environments such as mid-oceanic ridge,plumerelated island and oceanic arc.In this study,we employed the geochemical data of 351 mid-ocean ridge andesites(MORA),2539 plume-related andesites(PRA)and 3488 oceanic arc andesites(OAA)from the database to discuss the relationship between andesite tectonic settings and their geochemical features,thereby making an attempt to construct tectonic discrimination diagrams.Based on the data-driven pattern,all available elements were employed to derive logratios for the possible coordinates,and the overlap-rate calculation was adopted to evaluate the discrimination effect of more than 330000 prospective diagrams.Finally,four tectonic discrimination diagrams have been successfully established to identify MORA,PRA and OAA,which can be utilized to identify the original settings of andesite with an age range from Cenozoic to Archean a certain extent.Of these diagrams,PRA is mainly distinguished by high LREE/HREE ratio due to enriched mantle source.Whereas,OAA is mainly characterized by high LILE/HFSE ratio,which reveals that fluids derived from subducted slab play an important role in forming oceanic arc andesites.Consequently,the petrogenesis of andesites is closely related to their tectonic settings.However,it should be noted that those andesites formed in both continental and oceanic environments cannot be effectively distinguished using these diagrams.We strongly recommend integrating the discrimination diagrams result with other geological information to reach a comprehensive interpretation of evolution history with those ancient andesites.This paper presents a case study which suggests that data-driven method is a powerful tool for solving geological problems in this’big data’era.

Comparative Study of the Rock-breaking Mechanism of a Disc Cutter and Wedge Tooth Cutter by Discrete Element Modelling

The operation of a shield tunnel boring machine(TBM)in a high-strength hard rock stratum results in significant cutter damage,adversely affecting the thrust and torque of the cutter head.Therefore,it is very important to carry out the research on the stress characteristics and optimize the cutter parameters of cutters break high-strength hard rock.In this paper,the rock-breaking performance of cutters in an andesite stratum in the tunnel of Qingdao Metro Line No.8 was investigated using the discrete element method and theoretical analysis.The rock-breaking processes of a disc cutter and wedge tooth cutter were simulated by software particle flow code PFC^(3D),and the rock-breaking degree,stress of the cutter,and rock-breaking specific energy were analyzed.The rock damage caused by the cutter in a specific section was divided into three stages:the advanced influence,crushing,and stabilizing stages.The rock-breaking degree and the tangential and normal forces of the wedge tooth cutter are larger than that of the disc cutter under the same conditions.The disc cutter(wedge tooth cutter)has the highest rock-breaking efficiency at a cutter spacing of 100 mm(110 mm)and a penetration depth of 8 mm(10 mm),and the rock-breaking specific energy is 11.48 MJ/m^(3)(12.05 MJ/m^(3)).Therefore,two types of cutters with different penetration depths or cutter spacing should be considered.The number of teeth of wedge tooth cutters can be increased in hard strata to improve the rock-breaking efficiency of the shield.The research results provide a reference for shield cutterhead selection and cutter layout in similar projects.

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks Elogo Complex in Ivindo Archean Block (Congo Craton): Geodynamic Implications

The Elogo complex is a greenstone belt portion located on the Eastern edge of the Archean Congo craton at the junction with the Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic Sembe Ouesso basin. This study was carried out on this complex to determine the context of the placement of basaltic rocks. Metaluminous tholeiitic basalts (basic and ultrabasic), calc-alkaline basalts, andesitic basalts, and peraluminous calc-alkaline dacites represent greenstones. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts come from deep enriched and depleted mantle sources, including garnet in fusion residues [Al2O3/TiO2 > 16 (16.5 to 35.12) and in some samples between 12.45 to 14.48;CaO/Al2O3 1 (1.04 to 1.35) in ten samples and (Gb/Yb)PM > 1]. The calc-alkaline dacites come from a shallow depleted mantle source [Al2O3/TiO2 > 16;CaO/Al2O3 1]. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts have a negative Rb, Ba, Ce, and Nb anomaly without negative Ti anomaly, positive Ta, Pb anomalies, and a lack of significant REE [(La/Yb)n = 0.36 to 0.97 and 1 to 2.15;(Ce/Yb)n = 0.27 to 0.96 and 1.04 to 1.72, respectively] fractionation. High Nb/Th (2 to 10) and Nb/U (1.82 to 26) ratios and low La/Ta (5 to 27) ratios are characteristic of divergent margin magmatic sources. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts correspond to an extensive back-arc basin-type tectonic setting. Calc-alkaline andesitic basalts and dacites show positive Ba, U, Th, K, La, Ce, Pb, and Li anomalies and negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies reflecting crustal contamination and hydrothermal alteration in a compressive tectonic context as a volcanic arc in a subduction regime marking the interruption of the meso-neoarchean Elogo’s opening. Elogo’s opening and closing are probably associated with the emplacement of the greenstone of the meso-neoarchean Gabon Belinga group and the relics of the Mesoarchean greenstones of the Cameroun Ntem complex.

Acoustic experimental study of two types of rock from the Tibetan Plateau under the condition of freeze-thaw cycles

Under the condition of freeze-thaw cycles, two types of rocks （granite and andesite）, used as slope protection for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, were tested according to the special climatic conditions in the Tibetan Plateau, and their various damage processes in ap- pearance were carefully observed. Observation results show that damage of andesite was more serious than that of granite. Using an acoustic instrument, ultrasonic velocity was tested. The changing trends of velocity with the number of freeze-thaw cycles were analyzed, and the freeze-thaw cycle damaging the physical and mechanical properties of rocks can be seen. According to the changing trends of ultrasonic velocity with the number of freeze-thaw cycles, mechanical parameters of rocks, such as dynamic elasticity modulus, Poisson＇s ratio, and dynamic bulk modulus were analyzed. It is found that they all have declining trends as the number of fi＇eeze-thaw cycles increases, and in particular, when the cycle number reaches a certain extent, the Poisson＇s ratio of rocks begins to become negative.

The off-crust origin of granite batholiths

Granitod batholiths of I-type features （mostly granodiorites and tonalites）, and particularly those forming the large plutonic associations of active continental margins and intracontinental collisional belts, represent the most outstanding magmatic episodes occurred in the continental crust. The origin of magmas, however, remains controversial. The application of principles from phase equilibria is crucial to understand the problem of granitoid magma generation. An adequate comparison between rock com- positions and experimental liquids has been addressed by using a projected compositional space in the plane F（Fe ＋ Mg）-Anorthite-Orthoclase. Many calc-alkaline granitoid trends can be considered cotectic liquids. Assimilation of country rocks and other not-cotectic processes are identified in the projected diagram. The identification of cotectic patterns in batholith implies high temperatures of magma segregation and fractionation （or partial melting） from an intermediate （andesitic） source. The com- parison of batholiths with lower crust granulites, in terms of major-element geochemistry, yields that both represent liquids and solid residues respectively from a common andesitic system. This is compatible with magmas being formed by melting, and eventual reaction with the peridotite mantle, of subducted mOlanges that are finally relaminated as magmas to the lower crust. Thus, the off-crust generation of granitoids batholiths constitutes a new paradigm in which important geological implica- tions can be satisfactorily explained. Geochemical features of Cordilleran-type batholiths are totally compatible with this new conception.

Subaqueous early eruptive phase of the late Aptian Rajmahal volcanism,India:Evidence from volcaniclastic rocks,bentonite,black shales,and oolite

The late Aptian（118-115 Ma） continental flood basalts of the Rajmahal Volcanic Province（RVP） are part of the Kerguelen Large Igneous Province,and constitute the uppermost part of the Gondwana Supergroup on the eastern Indian shield margin.The lower one-third of the Rajmahal volcanic succession contains thin layers of plant fossil-rich inter-trappean sedimentary rocks with pyroclasts,bentonite,grey and black shale/mudstone and oolite,whereas the upper two-thirds consist of sub-aerial fine-grained aphyric basalts with no inter-trappean material.At the eastern margin and the north-central sector of the RVP,the volcanics in the lower part include rhyolites and dacites overlain by enstatite-bearing basalts and enstatite-andesites.The pyroclastic rocks are largely felsic in composition,and comprise ignimbrite as well as coarse-grained tuff with lithic clasts,and tuff breccia with bombs,lapilli and ash that indicate explosive eruption of viscous rhyolitic magma.The rhyolites/dacites（〉68 wt.%） are separated from the andesites（〈 60 wt.%） by a gap in silica content indicating their formation through upper crustal anatexis with only heat supplied by the basaltic magma.On the other hand,partially melted siltstone xenoliths in enstatite-bearing basalts suggest that the enstatite-andesites originated through mixing of the upper crust with basaltic magma,crystallizing orthopyroxene at a pressure-temperature of ~3 kb/1150℃.In contrast,the northwestern sector of the RVP is devoid of felsic-intermediate rocks,and the volcaniclastic rocks are predominantly mafic（basaltic） in composition.Here,the presence of fine-grained tuffs,tuff breccia containing sideromelane shards and quenched texture,welded tuff breccia,peperite,shale/mudstone and oolite substantiates a subaqueous environment.Based on these observations,we conclude that the early phase of Rajmahal volcanism occurred under predominantly subaqueous conditions.The presence of grey and black shale/mudstone in the lower one-third of the succession across the entire Rajmahal basin provides unequivocal evidence of a shallow-marine continental shelf-type environment.Alignment of the Rajmahal eruptive centers with a major N—S mid-Neoproterozoic lineament and the presence of a gravity high on the RVP suggest a tectonic control for the eruption of melts associated with the Kerguelen plume that was active in a post-Gondwana rift between India and Australia-Antarctica.

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLCANIC ROCKS FROM TANGBALE OPHIOLITE IN THE WESTERN JUNGGAR OF XINJIANG

An INAA technique was applied to determine simultaneously abundances of rare-earth, transitional metal, large-ion lithophile and high field strength elements in volcanic rocks from Tangbale ophiolite belt. The detailed study on trace element geochemistry shows that the volcanic rocks were erupted in the back-arc basin. The volcanic rocks of early and middle stages of the expanding period of the basin have low REE and other incompatible element contents. At early and late stages of closing period of the basin, alkalic basalts, basaltic andesites and andesites were erupted in which light REE and other incompatible elements were enriched.

Eocene Crustal Thickening and Uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau:Evidence from Adakitic Volcanic Rocks

Changes in oceanic O-Sr-C isotopic compositions, global cooling and Asian continental aridification beginning in the Middle-Late Eocene(47-34 Ma) are considered to have been caused by the uplift of the Tibetan plateau.The specific timing and uplift mechanism,however,have long been subjects of debate.We investigated the Duogecuoren lavas of the central-western Qiangtang block,which form the largest outcrops among Cenozoic lavas in north-

Chemical Weathering of New Pyroclastic Deposits from Mt. Merapi (Java), Indonesia

The Java Island, Indonesia with abundant amount of pyroclastic deposits is located in the very active and dynamic Pacific Ring of Fires. Studying the geochemical weathering indices of these pyroclastic deposits is important to get a clear picture about weathering profiles on deposits resulting from the eruption of Mt. Merapi. Immediately after the first phase of the eruption （March to June 2006）, moist and leached pyroclastic deposits were collected. These pyroclastic deposits were found to be composed of volcanic glass, plagioclase feldspar in various propoitions, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, olivine, amphibole and titanomagnetite. The total elemental composition of the bulk samples （including trace elements and heavy metals） was determined by wet chemical methods and X-ray fluorescence （XRF） analyses. Weathering of the pyroelastic deposits was studied using various weathering indices. The Ruxton ratio, weathering index of Parker, Vought resudual index and chemical index of weathering of moist pyroclastic deposits were lower than those of the leached samples, but the alteration indices （chemical and plagioclase） were slightly higher in the moist compared to the leached pyroelastic deposits.

Petrology and Tectonic Setting of Volcanic Rocks in West and South West of Salafchegan, Qom, Iran

In the west and south-west part of Salafchegan near Zavarian village in Iran (in central Iranian volcano plotonic belt), there are some volcanic rocks. Based on petrography and geochemistry findings, these volcanic rocks are Basalt, Andesite, Tracky-Andesite, Trackyte, Latite, Dacite. Tectono-magmatic diagram Y versus Zr shows the magmatic arc setting and Zr/TiO2 versus Ce/P2O5 diagram contrasts post colligenal magmatic arcs. The HFSE depletion in the MORB spider diagram shows significant volcanic arc magmatism. The high enrichment of Eu, Sr, Th, Rb, Cs, K (LFS elements) and Y, Zr, Hf shows negative anomaly and subduction tectonic setting. Based on MORB, Chondrite and primitive mantle spider diagrams, LREE have enriched to HREE in this area. The results of petrography, geochemistry and tectonic setting studies in this area, indicate that neogene magmatism occurred in post colligenal tectonic setting—subduction of Neo-thetise ocean under central Iranian plate in neogen era.

Micromorphological Aspects of Two Forest Soils Development Derived from Igneous Rocks in Lahijan, Iran

In order to characterize various micromorphologic properties of two forest soils derived from different parent rocks in Lahijan, and use the data collected from micromorphological analysis to interpret dominant pedogenic processes. Two representative soil pedons, granite （P1） and andesitic basalt （P2） were selected in a mountain landform with northwest aspect. Samples for thin section preparation were taken from each horizon by Kubiena boxes or clods. Micromorphological analysis of soils derived from these two soil pedons in eastern part of Lahijan （northern Iran） were conducted based on the physicochemical and mineralogical data. Micromorphological properties were characterized using a polarized light microscope under plain and cross light. Thin section study indicated that the nature of the parent material clearly affected the content of clay formation. It also showed that clay accumulation in the Bt horizons was not only due to clay illuviation （argillan）, but that strong in situ weathering of primary minerals also contributed to the enrichment of clay in soils derived from andesitic basalt. Comparing the results of clay mineralogy obtained from X-ray diffraction （XRD） with microscopic studies revealed that birefringence fabric （b-fabric） of the groundmass was partly striated due to smectitic minerals in soil of andesitic basalt （Hapludalf）, whereas speckled birefringence fabric was dominant in soil of granite （Udorthent） because of the absence of these minerals. We speculate that pores of skeletal fragments or microcracks in P1 were a place for illuvial clay protection. However, the main factor for flluvial clay film disruption （striation anddeformation） was biological activity （faunal turbation and root pressure） in P1 and expandable minerals and faunal turbation in P2.

Petrology and Geodynamic Context of Metabasic Rocks of Nemba Complex in the West Congo Fold Belt (Republic of Congo)

The West Congo belt contains Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Units which are deformed during Panafrican event. The Neoproterozoic Unit contains rift and post rift deposits. The rift formation is made of metabasite, volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks. The metabasite constitutes the Nemba Complex which is considered put into place in a continental or oceanic context. Samples from Nemba Complex collected along the “Congo ocean railway realignment” are analyzed. Major elements indicate a low potassic subalkaline affinity of the samples. Classification diagrams based of major elements shows that the rocks are a tholeiitic serie constituted of andesitic basalts, sub-alkaline andesitic basalts and a sub-alkaline to alkaline basalts. Some samples with a calc-alkaline signature indicate a crustal contamination. The traces elements plots indicate that the rocks are the MORB. The spectrum of multi-elements is characteristic of continental rocks with a lithospheric origin. This is an agreement with many works on the Nemba Complex and the alkali plutons and acid volcanic rocks associated which attribute there a rift context.