Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of the Pouni Palaeoproterozoic Formations North of the Léo Square Degree (Burkina Faso, West Africa)

The Pouni area is made up of basalts belonging to the Boromo belt, lamprophyres and granitoids. These geological formations are similar to geological formations of the same type in other regions of the Palaeoproterozoic domain of the Man/Leo shield. This study, which focused on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of these geological formations, led to the following main conclusions: The lamprophyres are basic plutonic rocks that cut through other geological formations. The basalt belongs to the northern part of the Borormo belt and is thought to be a relic of overthickened oceanic plateaus. There are two groups of granitoid rocks. The granodiorite has a geochemical signature close to that of Archean TTGs and is metaluminous in character. It has a low potassium content. The minor element and rare earth element spectra indicate that it could be derived from partial melting of basic magmatic rocks. Biotite granites are peraluminous and highly potassic. Minor element contents and rare earth spectra indicate that they could be derived from partial melting of felsic materials. Geotectonic diagrams show that the granitoids identified in the Pouni zone were emplaced in an active tectonic context, similar to that of present-day subduction zones.

Structural Pattern Related to Gold Mineralization in the Essakane Area (Northern Burkina Faso, West African Craton)

The finite deformation structures recorded in the Essakane area, located in the northeast corner of Burkina Faso, highlight three major compressive deformation phases, successively named D1, D2, and D3. The D1 event phase, trending NE-SW, is characterised by P1 folds and S1 axial plane schistosity. The D2 phase trending NW-SE is characterised by folds P2, schistosity (S2) and shear (C) planes. And the D3 phase trending NNE-SSW to N-S is characterised by P3 folds, crenulation microfolds and S3 spaced schistosity. It has also been noted that gold mineralizations are mainly hosted in quartz, carbonate, pyrite, and arsenopyrite veins. Structural interpretation indicates that these veins are organized into lenticular bodies that were formed during the first two deformation phases (D1 and D2). This suggests a strong structural control typical of orogenic gold concentrations.

Evaluation of the Level of Pollution by Heavy Metals of Market Garden Soils along the Chari River in Ndjamena: Case of the 9th and 7th Districts

The main aim of this study was to characterize the metal content of soils used for market gardening along the Chari river: the 7th and 9th districts of NDjaména. To achieve this, two sites were selected: Gassi and Walia, and two control sites (Gassi and Walia). A total of fifty (50) soil samples were taken (24 from the Gassi site, 24 from the Walia site and 2 as control soils) and then analyzed to determine a number of physico-chemical parameters (pH, OM and electrical conductivity) and heavy metal concentrations in the various soils. The TME content (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Hg and Zn) of the soils was determined by plasma-coupled Atomic Emission Spectrometry. In order to assess the level of contamination in Gassi and Walia soils, the geoaccumulation index (GeoIndex), contamination factor and degree of contamination were calculated. Results for physico-chemical parameters revealed that pH ranged from acidic (4.6) to moderately neutral (6.5), electrical conductivity was higher in cultivated soils (mean 292.14 μs/cm) than in control soils (mean 149.33 μs/cm), and soils were rich in organic matter. Overall, heavy metal concentrations in cultivated soils were higher than in control soils. The pollution estimate shows that soils in the area have no moderate contamination. The increase in TME concentrations in cultivated soils is thought to be due to the input of agricultural inputs to the soil. However, these levels are below the Average shale reference and Canadian guidelines for agricultural soil quality. Principal component analysis shows that metals are positively and significantly correlated with each other, and negatively and moderately significantly correlated with each other.

Insight from Lithostructural and Aeromagnetic Data from the Léo Square Degree, Central-Western Burkina Faso

This study, carried out in the Léo square degree (west-central Burkina Faso) in the Palaeoproterozoic domain of the Man/Léo ridge, aims to define the shapes and positions of granitic plutons and the organisation of deformation structures using aeromagnetic data. These data have shown that there are small sub-circular granitic bodies to the north of the granitic masses in this region, and a large sub-circular granitic body to the south, around which are other smaller granitic bodies. The lineament map shows that the deformation structures are organised along three main directions and largely form these sub-circular plutonic bodies. We suggest that the granitic plutons are coalescent, pending identification of the internal structures of these granites to further refine the geodynamic model.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of the Granitoids in the South of Godé (North of the Square Degree of Léo-Burkina Faso, West Africa)

South of Godé, in the central-western region of Burkina Faso, granitoids of Paleoproterozoic age are similar to those of the Man/Leo shield. This study focused on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of these granitoids, with the following results: 1) The tonalite that outcrops in the south-west of the study area belongs to the TTG group or first generation granitoids. They are most often ribboned at outcrop and have a geochemical signature close to that of Archean TTGs. Tonalite has a metaluminous character and the REE spectrum indicates that it may be derived from partial melting of basic magmatic rocks. 2) Biotite granites have no outcrop structure. They are weakly metaluminous to peraluminous and potassic to highly potassic. Their rare earth spectra indicate that they may be derived from the partial melting of TTG granitoids. 3) Geotectonic diagrams show that the granitoids studied to the south of Godé were emplaced in an active tectonic context similar to that of present-day subduction zones.

Road Layout Cuts Volume Evaluation by Electrical Resistivity Tomography: Case Study of Gagnoa-Gueyo-Bamenadou Road Project

A study of excavated material on the Gagnoa-Guéyo-Bamenadou road project in southwest Côte d’Ivoire was carried out using electrical resistivity tomography with a dipole-dipole configuration. This study aimed to determine the nature and volume of the studied cuts. Based on the cumulative distances of the longitudinal sections of the road alignment superimposed on the tomographic profiles, a cumulative volume of 104681 m3 of material was determined. This volume comprises 88557 m3 of soft cuts and 16,124 m3 of rocky cuts, which can be reused in specific embankment zones. This work may, therefore be useful in the characterization of cuts in a preliminary design study, in order to anticipate changes during the road’s development and asphalting.

Detection of Burned Areas through Spectral Indices Analysis of Sentinel-2A Satellite Images in the Abokouamékro Wildlife Reserve (Central, Côte D’Ivoire)

In Côte d’Ivoire, the recurring and unregulated use of bushfires, which cause ecological damage, presents a pressing concern for the custodians of protected areas. This study aims to enhance our comprehension of the dynamics of burnt areas within the Abokouamékro Wildlife Reserve (AWR) by employing the analysis of spectral indices derived from satellite imagery. The research methodology began with the calculation of mean indices and their corresponding spectral sub-indices, including NDVI, SAVI, NDWI, NDMI, BAI, NBR, TCW, TCG, and TCB, utilizing data from the Sentinel-2A satellite image dated January 17, 2022. Subsequently, a fuzzy classification model was applied to these various indices and sub-indices, guided by the degree of membership α, with the goal of effectively distinguishing between burned and unburned areas. Following the classification, the accuracies of the classified indices and sub-indices were validated using the coordinates of 100 data points collected within the AWR through GPS technology. The results revealed that the overall accuracy of all indices and sub-indices declines as the degree of membership α decreases from 1 to 0. Among the mean spectral indices, NDVI-mean, SAVI-mean, NDMI-mean exhibited the highest overall accuracies, achieving 97%, 95%, and 90%, respectively. These results closely mirrored those obtained by sub-indices using band 8 (NDVI-B8, SAVI-B8, and NDMI-B8), which yield respective overall accuracies of 93%, 92%, and 89%. At a degree of membership α = 1, the estimated burned areas for the most effective indices encompassed 2144.38 hectares for NDVI-mean, 1932.14 hectares for mean SAVI-mean, and 4947.13 hectares for mean NDMI-mean. A prospective approach involving the amalgamation of these three indices could have the potential to yield improved outcomes. This study could be a substantial contribution to the discrimination of bushfires in Côte d’Ivoire.

Improvement of Rice Plant Root by Kaolin Application in Iron Toxicity Condition at Zoukougbeu (Central-West of Côte d’Ivoire)

In the tropics, lowland rice cultivation is often confronted with the problem of iron toxicity. The solution proposed by research in general is the use of industrial silicon. However, the high cost of industrial silicon limits its adoption by farmers. A study was carried out in Zakogbeu;Center-West of Côte d’Ivoire, to assess the potential of kaolin to mitigate the effect of this soil constraint on the root of the rice plant. Five kaolin-based treatments were analyzed (T0 = 0 kg kaolin ha−1, T1 = 366 kg kaolin ha−1, T2 = 736 kg kaolin ha−1, T3 = 1097 kg kaolin ha−1 and T4 = 1465 kg kaolin ha−1 are 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 kg SiO2 ha−1) in a device in complete random blocks, with 5 repetitions. The results obtained show that kaolin supply increases the length of the root tissue as well as the number of branching of the root of the rice plant. Root tissue increased from 10 cm with T0 treatment to more than 15 cm with treatment T4. The microscopic observation of the roots shows that in the treatment T0, the roots present only primary ramifications and the tertiary and quaternary ramifications are observed with the treatments T3 and T4. The contribution of kaolin is an alternative to inhibit the effect of iron toxicity on the rice plant root development in iron toxicity condition.

A Large-Scale Palaeozoic Dextral Ductile Strike-Slip Zone:the Aqqikkudug-Weiya Zone along the Northern Margin of the Central Tianshan Belt,Xinjiang,NW China

Abstract The nearly E-W-trending Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone, more than 1000 km long and about 30 km wide, is an important segment in the Central Asian tectonic framework. It is distributed along the northern margin of the Central Tianshan belt in Xinjiang, NW China and is composed of mylonitized Early Palaeozoic greywacke, volcanic rocks, ophiolitic blocks as a mélange complex, HP/LT-type bleuschist blocks and mylonitized Neoproterozoic schist, gneiss and orthogneiss. Nearly vertical mylonitic foliation and sub-horizontal stretching lineation define its strike-slip feature; various kinematic indicators, such as asymmetric folds, non-coaxial asymmetric macro- to micro-structures and C-axis fabrics of quartz grains of mylonites, suggest that it is a dextral strike-slip ductile shear zone oriented in a nearly E-W direction characterized by “flower” strusture with thrusting or extruding across the zone toward the two sides and upright folds with gently plunging hinges. The Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone experienced at least two stages of ductile shear tectonic evolution: Early Palaeozoic north vergent thrusting ductile shear and Late Carboniferous-Early Permian strike-slip deformation. The strike-slip ductile shear likely took place during Late Palaeozoic time, dated at 269±5 Ma by the40Ar/39Ar analysis on neo-muscovites. The strike-slip deformation was followed by the Hercynian violent S-type granitic magmatism. Geodynamical analysis suggests that the large-scale dextral strike-slip ductile shearing is likely the result of intracontinental adjustment deformation after the collision of the Siberian continental plate towards the northern margin of the Tarim continental plate during the Late Carboniferous. The Himalayan tectonism locally deformed the zone, marked by final uplift, brittle layer-slip and step-type thrust faults, transcurrent faults and E-W-elongated Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins.

Microstructural analysis of a subhorizontal gold-quartz vein deposit at Donalda,Abitibi greenstone belt,Canada:Implications for hydrodynamic regime and fluid-structural relationship

The Donalda gold deposit in the southern part of the Archean Abitibi greenstone belt consists mainly of a subhonzontal gold-quartz vein perpendicular to subvertical shear zones.The 0.3—0.5 m thick vein is characterized by vein-parallel banding structures indicating multiple episodes of fracture opening and mineral precipitation.Measurement of the c-axis of primary growth quartz indicates that quartz preferentially grew perpendicular to the fracture,suggesting open space filling and/or extensional nature of the fracture.Measurement of the orientations of microfractures,veinlets and fluid—inclusion planes（FIPs） crosscutting primary growth quartz indicates that the vein minerals were subject to a vertical maximum principal stress（σ_1）,which is inconsistent with the subhorizontalσ_1 inferred from the regional stress field with N—S shortening.This apparent discrepancy is explained by invoking episodic fluid pressure fluctuation between supralithostatic and hydrostatic regimes accompanied by episodic opening and closing of the sub-horizontal fracture.When fluid pressure was higher than the lithostatic value,the fracture was opened and primary growth minerals were precipitated,whereas when fluid pressure decreased toward the hydrostatic value,the hanging wall of the fracture collapsed,causing collision of protruding primary growth minerals from both sides of the fracture and resulting in formation of vein-parallel deformation bands.The columns where the two facing sides of the fracture collided were subject to higher-than-lithostatic stress due to the bridging effect and reduced support surface area,explaining the development of verticalσ_1.This hypothesis is consistent the fault-valve model,and explains the flipping ofσ_1 without having to change the regional stress field.

Geochemistry of the volcanic rocks from Bioko Island(“Cameroon Hot Line”)： Evidence for plume-lithosphere interaction

Bioko Island（3008 m a.s.l） is located in the presently more active volcanic zone of the Cameroon Line and composed essentially of alkaline basalts and hawaiites, and lesser mugearites. The rocks show microlitic porphyritic texture with phenocrysts of olivine（83% 〈 Fo 〈 87%） and clinopyroxene in a matrix of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and oxides. Hawaiites and mugearites also include phenocrysts of plagioclase（An62-67Ab35-32Or3-1）. Major element variation diagrams show an increase in Si O2, Al2O3, Na2 O and K2 O with increasing Mg O for the studied rock groups. The rocks are characterized by low（^86Sr/^87Sr）i ratios（0.70320e0.70406）, high 3Nd（t） values（2.56e4.33） and high（^206Pb/^204Pb）i ratios（20.032e20.035） values.Basalts are enriched in LILE and LREE, and have（Hf/Sm）N= 0.57e1.16. These geochemical signatures are similar to those of the Mount Cameroon rocks, and might be attributed to low degrees of partial melting from a garnet-amphibole-bearing mantle source. The trace elements and isotopic compositions suggest that the parental magma source might have involved HIMU- and EM1-components.

New Petrological and Geochemical Data of the Nephelinitic Lavas and Geodynamic Implications of Mount Etinde (Cameroon)

Mount Etinde is a Recent (<1 Ma) strombolian-type volcano located on the southern flank of Mount Cameroon. Mount Etinde lavas are distinguished on the basis of the mineralogical compositions of their phenocrysts: olivine-pyroxene, olivine-melilite and clinopyroxene-nepheline. Some magnetite and ilmenite occur as inclusions in these early phases. Mafic mineral composition indicates that fractionation involved only limited Fe-enrichment. Oscillatory, normal and sectorial zoning in clinopyroxene relates to the differentiation and fractional crystallization of the magma. Based on the primitive mantle-normalized trace and rare earth element patterns, all nephelinites have high abundances of incompatible elements (103 < La < 281;131 < Ce < 503), with negative anomalies for high field strength element Ti and low Nb/Y (0.1 - 0.2) and Rb/Y (<0.03) ratios, suggesting derivation from a similar source. Textural characteristics and mineral chemical data, as well as whole-rock compositions, suggest that the nephelinitic lavas may have been derived from basaltic magma from a heterogeneous lithospheric mantle. Geochemical modeling of major and trace element variations indicates that the Etinde lavas could not have been produced by only fractional crystallization. Pneumatolytic reaction probably affected the pyromagmas (basaltic magma composition) and was responsible for the nephelinite rocks at lower oxygen fugacity (fO2).

Initial geometry and paleoflow reconstruction of the Yamansu skarn-related iron deposit of eastern Tianshan(China): from paleomagnetic and magnetic fabrics investigations

This study aims to uses paleomagnetic and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS)methods to recognize the initial deposit position and to track the paleoflow at the origin of an iron skarn-related deposit.The Yamansu deposit is located in eastern Tianshan(Charvet,2007).This province has a substantial mining potential for Fe–(Cu)skarn,Cu–Ni and V–Ti orthomagmatic deposits,and orogenic Au lodes(Branquet et al.,2012;Zhang et a.,2005;Mao et al.,2005).Recent publication dates the Yamansu deposit at 323 Ma,and uses this deposit to define a model of Submarine Volcanogenic Iron Oxide(SVIO)deposits(Hou et al.,

Pure forsterite in Nyiragongo lavas: evidence for subsolidus oxidation of volcanic rocks

Some volcanic rocks from Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo contain highly oxidized olivine crystals.These olivines crystals are made of two phases,dark olivine on backscattered electron images of pure forsterite composition and grey Mg-poor areas made of olivine and iron-rich oxides.Calculation of the initial composition confirms that they are primary olivine with late separation of two different olivine compositions.Pure forsterite is enriched in SiO_(2) but contains lower amounts of CaO than Fe-rich areas,in agreement with expected partitioning of these elements related to the composition of the olivine.Iron-rich oxides formed around or inside the olivine crystals during the separation process and confirm a highly oxidized environment during their evolution.We propose that this separation occurred during subsolidus recrystallization under high fO_(2) conditions of the olivine crystals after cooling of the volcanic rocks.It provides evidences for circulation of iron-rich fluids or gas inducing deuteritic processes occurring in the large volcanic cone of the Nyiragongo,in relation with the presence of a shallow magma chamber connected to a large and permanent lava lake.

Discrete Element Modeling of a Subduction Zone with a Seafloor Irregularity and its Impact on the Seismic Cycle

Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate,thus affecting earthquake cycles.Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in a subduction zone remains contested,partially due to focus put either on fault development or on rupture pattern.Here,we simulate a subducting slab with a seafloor irregularity and the resulting deformation pattern of the overriding plate using the discrete element method.Our simulations illustrate the rupture along three major fault systems:megathrust,splay and backthrust faults.Our results show different rupture dimensions of earthquake events varying from tens to ca.140 km.Our results suggest that the recurrence interval of megathrust events with rupture length of ca.100 km is ca.140 years,which is overall comparable to the paleoseismic records at the Mentawai area of the Sumatran zone.We further propose the coseismic slip amounts decrease and interseismic slip amounts increase from the surface downwards gradually.We conclude that the presence of seafloor irregularities significantly affects rupture events along the slab as well as fault patterns in the overriding plate.

Physico-Chemical and Biological Characteristics of the Nklobisson Artificial Lake in Yaounde, Cameroon

The deterioration of water quality in lakes constitutes an environmental problem faced by humanity. The Nkolbisson artificial lake which is located downstream of the Abiergue and Mintotomo streams in Yaounde is under the influence of various forms of pollution, mostly resulting from human activities. There is proliferation of algae on the lake surface that consumes the available oxygen in the lake. The main objective of the current study is to evaluate the different forms of pollutants in the lake, in order to propose efficient solutions for a suitable management strategy, basing on the physico-chemical and biological analysis. The lake retains an average of 2535.49 tons/year of suspended solids in the rainy season and 1438.05 tons/year in the dry season. The range of dissolved oxygen (5.2 - 3.8 mg/l);pH (7.8 - 6.8);temperature (23.9°C - 23.1°C);electrical conductivity (266.1 - 87.3 μS/cm);turbidity (22.3 - 10 UNT);suspended solid (240 - 40 mg/l);BOD (55 - 8 mg/l);COD (76 - 87.3 mg/l). Biologically, faecal coliforms fluctuates between (42 × 102 - 425 × 103 FCU/100 ml), faecal streptococci (8 × 103 - 158 × 103 FCU/100 ml) and total Coliform (15 × 103 - 78 × 106 FCU/100 ml) evidence that, the studied lake is highly polluted. Consequently the lake retains an average of 2888.7 tons/year of suspended matter.

Grain Size Influence on the Compaction Aptitude and the Bearing Strength of the Gravel Lateritic Soils

This study is carried out to appreciate the coarse elements influence of the gravel lateritic soils on the pavement behavior. The material involves not only the 0/20 mm granular particles considered in the specifications and on the laboratory tests, but also all of the material that is actually used in the construction sites. Geotechnical characterization was leaned on five differentiated granular classes of 0/20;0/25;0/31.5;0/40 and 0/63 mm diameters. The sample of 0/40 mm gets the best compaction aptitude, while that of 0/31.5 mm reaches the greatest bearing strength and a good Optimum Moisture Content. According to the requirements and its bearing strengths, the material is usable up to subbase layer and its behavior depends on the grain size.

Petrology of lherzolite xenoliths of HosséréSédévolcano(Adamawa plateau,Ngaoundéréarea,Cameroon)

Numerous mantle xenoliths 6–12 cm in size and sub-angular to rounded in shape occur within Mio-Pliocene basanite lavas of the monogenic volcano of HosséréSédé in the Adamawa plateau.Xenoliths of spinel lherzolite exhibit protogranular,equigranular or porphyroclastic texture.Microprobe chemical analyses show that olivine is highly magnesian(Fo_(88-90)),clinopyroxene crystals are diopside and augite(Wo_(41.6–49.6)En_(45.3–53.7)Fs_(4.2–6.2)),orthopyroxene crystals are enstatite(Wo 1.4–1.5 En_(88.6–89.0)Fs_(9.6–9.9))and spinel crystals are mainly Al-spinel associ-ated to minor Cr-spinel.Estimated temperatures and pressures through empirical formulas show that HosséréSédé noliths have equilibrated between 1085 and 1204℃and 1.08 to 1.57 GPa,corresponding to sampling depths of 36 and 52 km.Detailed petrographical and mineral chemistry of HosséréSédénoliths evidences the com-plex nature and composition of the subcontinental lithosphere under the Adamawa plateau.This may involve a probable uplift of the whole area after a limited exten-sional event,possible metasomatism through melt infiltration during shearing of the lithospheric mantle along the Pan African strike-slip fault system.

Anthropogenic Activities and the Degradation of the Environmental Quality in Poor Neighborhoods of Abidjan,Cote d’Ivoire:Abia Koumassi Village

This study deals with the degradation of the quality of the water environment in the village of Abia Koumassi, due to the pollution that has risen in Abidjan. The method used in this study is based on piezometric measurements, the physico-chemical and microbiological analysis. The results were processed using statistical and hydrochemical methods. The groundwater in the village is shallow, with a piezometric average level 0.55 m. The groundwater flows from the north of the village to the south. The Water resources have a neutral pH that varies between 6.8 and 7.43. Water temperature varies from 27.7°C to 29.8°C. The Water is highly mineralized, with electrical conductivity ranging from 585 μS/cm to 1310 μS/cm. The groundwater contains high levels of nitrate (116.81 mg·L-1) greater than the WHO standard for drinking water. High levels of Metallic Trace Elements (Ni, Zn, Co, Cr, Pb, Fe, Cu and Cd) are found in the water. Microbiological analysis shows that the water contains important levels of Escherichia coli, faecal streptococci, Clostridium perfringens and thermo tolerant coliform. These microorganisms create microbiological pollution in the water from the area. The Water resources of the village are facing a recent faecal pollution of human origin. This pollution comes from anthropogenic activities taking place in the area.

Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones in Samendeni Watershed in Sedimentary and Semi-Arid Contexts of Burkina Faso, Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method and GIS

Demand for water increases in Samendeni regarding the undertaken agricultural projects while pressure on surface water from global warming/evapotranspiration also increases. Thus, the need to evaluate the groundwater potential in the catchment is crucial as alternative supplier of water and resilience to climate hazards. The AHP was performed integrating ten influencing factors such as geomorphology, geology, soil, land use/land cover (lulc), slope, rainfall, drainage density, borehole rate & depth and piezometric level to generate groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) in Samendeni watershed (4420 km2). All the factors were processed and ranged into five (5) classes. Weight was assigned to each class of thematic layer. These thematic layers were then reclassified based on the normalized weight to be used in the calculation of groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). The final output, groundwater potential map, revealed a significant groundwater potential with very good (11%), good (31%), moderate (30%), poor (20%), and very poor (8%) of proportion. The interesting (very good, good) GWPZs in the study area are mostly in the central towards the east. The poor zones in term of groundwater potential are concentrated in the upper west region of the watershed. Besides the cross-validation with the relationship between different groundwater potential zones and the wells available in the study area, the overall accuracy was estimated to 88% provided from the result of the similarity analysis where 22 out of the 25 validation wells match with the expected yield classes of GWPZs. The statistics from that validation revealed the performance of AHP method to delineate groundwater potential zones at catchment level.