Geological Laboratory Research Articles

Reducing heavy metal (Zn, Cu) toxicity in a semi-arid area by halophytes

This work is the subject of a study of the effect of Atriplexhalimus on the variability of the percentage of certain heavy metals in the region of Boukhadra-Ouanza north of Tébessa, which is characterized by the proximity of an ancient mining area and with different levels of salinity. Where we made field trips, the first to know the area and determine the sampling locations, and the second to take samples. The latter (soil surrounding the roots of the cut plant and soil without vegetation at a distance of one meter), then after we measured the salinity standards (electrical conductivity and the percentages of certain heavy metals. The samples were analyzed at the Geology Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Tébéssa, where soil CE calculated and compared to the percentage of heavy metals (zinc and copper) in the soil. The results showed the presence of a significant proportion of heavy metals such as zinc and copper, especially in the third study area, which is considered high by World Health Organization standards and to acceptable standards, because the latter is located near an abandoned mining area, unlike the high salinity factor in the first and second areas.

Reducing heavy metal (Zn, Cu) toxicity in a semi-arid area by halophytes

This work is the subject of a study of the effect of Atriplexhalimus on the variability of the percentage of certain heavy metals in the region of Boukhadra-Ouanza north of Tébessa, which is characterized by the proximity of an ancient mining area and with different levels of salinity. Where we made field trips, the first to know the area and determine the sampling locations, and the second to take samples. The latter (soil surrounding the roots of the cut plant and soil without vegetation at a distance of one meter), then after we measured the salinity standards (electrical conductivity and the percentages of certain heavy metals. The samples were analyzed at the Geology Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Tébéssa, where soil CE calculated and compared to the percentage of heavy metals (zinc and copper) in the soil. The results showed the presence of a significant proportion of heavy metals such as zinc and copper, especially in the third study area, which is considered high by World Health Organization standards and to acceptable standards, because the latter is located near an abandoned mining area, unlike the high salinity factor in the first and second areas.

Soil Acidification Vulnerability and Long-term Trace Metal Depletion Under Rubber Tree Plantations in the Semi-mountainous Region of West Côte d'Ivoire

The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of rubber cultivation on soil properties in the Tonkpi region, western Côte d’Ivoire. The study proceeded by comparing soils under rubber tree cultivation of different ages to those under other crops or fallow. The soils were sampled from a depth of 0 to 25 cm. The samples were dried and then sent to the central laboratory of the University of Man for physical and chemical analyses. Soil pH was measured with the multiparameter HANNA HI9829. Soil potentially toxic elements like As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Mo, Fe, Se, Ca, Pb, K, Mn and V were analyzed, at the geological laboratory of the University Felix Houphouet-Boigny with a handheld NITON XL3t X-ray fluorescence analyzer. The results showed that soils from rubber-cultivated areas had a sandy loamy-clay texture, while those from the control area had a sandy-loamy texture. The soil pH was strongly to slightly acidic, with pH varying from 4.86 to 6.34, while the bulk densities varied from 0.51/g cm3 to 0.62 g/cm3. The redox potential of the soils was inferior to 400 mV (Eh ˂ 400 mV). This study also revealed a general decrease in the potentially toxic element content of soils under rubber cultivation. The soil contents of Cr, Co and Cu were inferior to the limit of detection. The Pb, Mn and Ca concentrations were 4.81, 194.2 and 2140 µg g-1, respectively, and these were significantly different from those of the other soils. This study provided a major insight into the effect of rubber cultivation in western Côte d'Ivoire.

Post-Foundation Studies Using Integrated Geophysical and Geotechnical Methods at New Agbor Road, Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria

Globally, the incessant failure of buildings has drastically led to an increase in the loss of lives and properties, posing lots of concerns about the causes of these devastating effects. This research evaluates the immediate and remote causes of probable foundation failure on some buildings at Ohunyon Street, Uromi, Edo State, using integrated geophysical and geotechnical methods. By optimizing the measured field, calculating the apparent resistivity data, and interpreting the generated electrical resistivity tomography by using the SAS 1000 terrameter and RES2DINV software, a variation in soil resistivity and type was established. The geotechnical method required performing Atterberg limit-index studies on the gathered soil specimens in the region as well as geological laboratory grain size analyses. The pole-dipole results showed two weak zones and one moderately competent zone, whereas the dipole-dipole results revealed three primary layers: topsoil (sandy clay), clayey loam, and silty loam. The results also revealed regular clay permeation within the loam at depths ranging from 0.9 to 1.9 m, indicating yearly wetness, volumetric expansion, shrinkage, and uneven ground settlement. The geotechnical survey results provided useful information on both the textural soil test and the Casagrande soil analysis. All of the results were highly correlated, providing pertinent information regarding the factors responsible for the buildings’ failure and recommending that the foundations of these buildings be reinforced by piling to depths of 2 m (6.6 ft) below the ground surface in order to prevent future failures. This work has distinctly shown how integrated geophysical and geotechnical methodologies can potentially be used to evaluate subsoil competency.

STABLE ISOTOPES OF OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN IN WATER: ANALYTICAL METHOD EVALUATION AND THE DETERMINATION OF δ18O AND δ2 H ON A CONTROL SAMPLE

Evaluation studies contribute to the identification of parameters that can affect the accuracy and precision of analytical methods. This study describes the analysis of δ18O and δ2H in water samples by the equilibrium method at the Isotope Geology Laboratory (LGI), Center for studies in Petrology and Geochemistry (CPGq) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). For that, six batches of analyzes were carried out under different ambient temperature conditions. For the reproducibility tests, four aliquots of the control sample were analyzed at the Polar Climate Center (CPC). Results showed that ambient temperature did not significantly affect the accuracy of the oxygen analysis. However, the mean result at 20 °C showed greater accuracy and acceptable precision. Hydrogen analyzes at a room temperature of 18 °C showed an external standard deviation and an internal precision exceeding the recommended, while at 20 and 22 °C the results were statistically acceptable, being the first more accurate. From that, it is possible to conclude that the determination of δ18O and δ2H in water at the LGI, employing the equilibrium method at an ambient temperature of 20 °C, showed satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility.

The Sukil River valley: a natural geological laboratory (case studies from the Ukrainian Carpathians)

Abstract In this chapter we present a brief geological description of the Sukil River valley, which is located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in the western part of Ukraine, and the interesting geological features found there. Here, different types of rocks are exposed over a small area. The area is rich in various structural features such as joints, small faults, and different types of folds, duplexes and clastic dykes. Two outcrops of folds found in the Cretaceous deposits in the village of Bukivets are unique geosites. In addition, in the city of Bolekhiv, there are the ruins of a saltery. We describe the types of research conducted in this natural laboratory, most of which concerns structural geology. Geological phenomena are studied using both classical approaches and the latest technologies. Electronic compasses were used widely in the study of mesostructures. For the first time, balanced geological sections have been constructed for the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians both for outcrops and for the entire Sukil River valley. Ground-based laser scanning was used for the detailed mapping of folds in Bukivets. Subsequently, the exposure was studied using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry, which was used to construct virtual geological outcrops that can be used widely for educational purposes. The urgency for creating virtual tours became apparent during the COVID pandemic. These models were also used to create the ‘Geo-Carpathians’ project, a Polish–Ukrainian geotourism route through the Carpathian Mountains. These models can be also used to assist in the teaching of the structural geology of the Carpathians, in the geological training of Earth Sciences students, in excursions for different types of Ukrainian and international conferences, for high-school students, and, indeed, for anyone interested in geology.

Corrigendum: Saturation sensitivity and influencing factors of marine DC resistivity inversion to submarine gas hydrate

Incorrect AffiliationIn the published article, there was an error in affiliations 2. Instead of “1Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou) / Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, Sanya Institute of Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China”, it should be “1Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, Sanya Institute of Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; 2Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China ”. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.

Kelayakan Air Tanah untuk Irigasi Pertanian Menggunakan Sodium Arbsoption Ratio (SAR)

Irrigation has an important role and is one of the keys to success in increasing rice production in paddy fields. Trimulyo Village is one of the areas in Jetis District, Bantul Regency has the majority of people as farmers. There is no information about groundwater quality as agricultural feasibility in the area is the background of this research. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of groundwater quality for agricultural irrigation using the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) method in Trimulyo Village, Jetis District, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The method used in this study was the testing of 2 groundwater samples in the laboratory and field observation of geology and geomorphology conditions. The parameters used are chemical parameters which include Sodium or Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg). Based on the results of laboratory tests and data analysis, that groundwater sample 1 had a SAR value of 0,63 then groundwater sample 2 had 0,75. Both groundwater samples have a water classification of Excellent or Very Good for agricultural irrigation.

HYDROCHEMISTRY OF HIGH-MOUNTAIN PAMIR RIVERS: FORMATION, CHANGES AND INFLUENCE ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF IRRIGATION WATER

The purpose of the research is to analyze the prospects for the agriculture development in the Central Asian region and Tajikistan in particular, in terms of identifying the main favorable and constraining factors for the further agriculture development. The Pyanj river is one of the main tributaries of the Transboundary Amu Darya River in the Central Asian region, whose waters are a source of drinking water supply for the population and 80% used for irrigation of agricultural land. The trend of deteriorating water quality of Central Asian River systems recently has been increasing, and monitoring water quality from the formation zone to the downstream of the rivers is a problem in the region. The statistical methods and Pearson correlation to the meteorological conditions monitoring of the river basins were used. In the Laboratory of Environment and Geology of the Department of Geological Sciences of the University of Colorado at Boulder (USA), as well as in the Laboratory of Moisture Chemistry of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (USA) by use of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography was conducted the element analyses of waters. The physical and chemical analyses of water samples was conducted using the “TaLab” spectrophotometer following the relevant state standards. The suitability of water for irrigation were determined by the calculation of the coefficients of sodium adsorption (SAR), the percentage of sodium (Na%), the percentage of sodium solubility (SSP), and the percentage of exchangeable sodium (ESP). The contribution of the Gunt River to the enrichment of the main Pyanj River with Fe, Co, Ni, Sr, Ca, Mg, Na, and K elements are established. The assessment of the natural water quality of the Pyanj and Gunt rivers for irrigation was carried out using various index methods, such as SAR, ESP, SSP and %Na.

Testing the efficacy of 3D-printed geologic models as tools for fostering spatial visualization abilities

ABSTRACT Geoscience educators seek new technologies and teaching materials that will successfully foster their students’ spatial visualization skills. As 3D-printing technology becomes more readily accessible, there are endless opportunities to create new instructional products that can help improve students’ spatial rotation, spatial manipulation, and visual penetrative ability early in their geoscience coursework. We developed a set of eight 3D-printed geologic block models that can easily be incorporated into any 3-hr long geologic structures module of a physical geology laboratory course. Our main objective was to investigate their efficacy in fostering all three spatial visualization abilities. Our test results, based on 583 undergraduate participants at California State University, Fullerton, indicate that access to the 3D-printed geologic block models had insignificant effects on the development of spatial manipulation or visual penetrative abilities and a statistically significant negative impact on students’ spatial rotation skill development. In-class observations suggest that pattern-matching instead of actively practicing spatial rotation may have hindered the development of this skill, however, observations also suggest that the blocks generated discourse and improved explanations of geologic structures between students. We recommend that future adopters of 3D-printed educational products redesign their laboratory exercises that require active engagement and sketching using the models.

A Caprock Evaluation Methodology for Underground Gas Storage in a Deep Depleted Gas Reservoir: A Case Study for the X9 Lithologic Trap of Langgu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China

The evaluation of caprocks’ sealing capacity is exceedingly important for depleted gas reservoirs to be reconstructed into gas storage. In this paper, based on the physical sealing mechanism of caprock, four aspects of ten indexes of caprock quality evaluation were firstly selected, and the related classification standards were established. Secondly, based on the rock mechanical sealing mechanism, elastic and plastic indexes were selected to characterize the mechanical brittleness of caprock, and a brittleness evaluation method of caprock based on complete stress-strain curves was established. Then, a systematic comprehensive evaluation model (including 5 aspects and 12 evaluation indexes) for the sealing capacity of gas storage caprock was proposed, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the weight of the 12 indexes in the evaluation model, and the formula for calculating the suitability of the caprock sealing capacity was established. Finally, the geological data, laboratory, and field test data, including X-ray diffraction, poro-permeability test, displacement pressure, and tri-axial compression test, were used for the caprock sealing capacity evaluation of the X9 depleted gas reservoir, and the result from this model showed that the caprock quality is suitable for underground gas storage.

Вклад Б. И. Гуслицера в изучение геологии квартера и палеолита Европейского Северо-Востока

The article is devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Candidate of Geographical Sciences Boris Isaakovich Guslitser, Head of the Laboratory of geomorphology and Quaternary geology at the Institute of Geology of the Komi Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He was widely known both in our country and abroad as the largest specialist and outstanding researcher of the Quaternary geology of the European North-East of Russia. The area of his scientific interests was very extensive: karstology, geomorphology, stratigraphy, paleogeography, paleontology of Quaternary deposits, archeology.

Long-term Coastline evolution of Figueira da Foz – Nazaré sector (Portugal)

ASBTRACT Some sectors of the west Portuguese coast are particularly endangered by erosion and flooding. Regional to local scale information, on coastline evolutionary trend, is particularly valuable in sectors that includes areas with relevant erosion. A continuous, high-resolution, dataset on coastal evolution, from 1947 and 2015, between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré, was achieved within the Programme “Geological and Coastal Hazard Mapping at a 1:3000 resolution scale” at the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG). This work, due to the detailed scale of analysis in a wide geographic context, allows to have both, a general overview of the coastal evolution and, at the same time, when zooming in up to 1:3000 scale, to observe the local behaviour and to quantify the occurred changes. Also, the well time-spaced aerial photograph dataset allows to compare the resultant coastline movement between the oldest and the youngest coastline (NSM index), with the total coastline oscillation (SCE index), bringing new insights on the coastline stability at a local scale. The evolution trend shows an overall erosional behaviour, if considering the entire sector. Erosion occurs predominantly in the north, as the south shows more stability and progradation. Quantification of the land-lost and land-gain due to the coastline shift in a 68-year period shows that 1 164 888 m2 of land were lost along 30 470 m of the coastal fringe, and 462 330 m2 were gained along an extension of 21 010 m. Keywords: Coastal hazard mapping; Western Portuguese coast; Coastline evolution; Coastal erosion and accretion; Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS).

Cascaded Progressive Generative Adversarial Networks for Reconstructing Three-Dimensional Grayscale Core Images From a Single Two-Dimensional Image

It is very challenging to accurately understand and characterize the internal structure of three-dimensional (3D) rock masses using geological monitoring and conventional laboratory measures. One important method for obtaining 3D core images involves reconstructing their 3D structure from two-dimensional (2D) core images. However, traditional 2D–3D reconstruction methods are mostly designed for binary core images, rather than grayscale images. Furthermore, the reconstruction structure cannot reflect the gray level distribution of the core. Here, by combining the dimension promotion theory in super-dimension (SD) reconstruction and framework of deep learning, we propose a novel convolutional neural network framework, the cascaded progressive generative adversarial network (CPGAN), to reconstruct 3D grayscale core images. Within this network, we propose a loss function based on the gray level distribution and pattern distribution to maintain the texture information of the reconstructed structure. Simultaneously, by adopting SD dimension promotion theory, we set the input and output of every single node of the CPGAN network to be deep gray-padding structures of equivalent size. Through the cascade of every single node network, we thus ensured continuity and variability between the reconstruction layers. In addition, we used 3D convolution to determine the spatial characteristics of the core. The reconstructed 3D results showed that the gray level information in the 2D image were accurately reflected in the 3D space. This proposed method can help us to understand and analyze various parameter characteristics in cores.

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis as a Tool of Monitoring Soil Pollution Around The Central Geological Laboratory

Heavy metal contamination of soil is a major concern from an ecological point of view. This study aims to characterize soil samples from different sites in the Central Geological Laboratory (CGL)’s area and to study heavy metal contamination in the environment. In this work Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry has been used to evaluate the heavy metals and some toxic elements pollution in the CGL area.

Determination of Rare Earths and Other Trace Elements in Ore Samples of Mongolia by WDXRF and INAA

Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analyses (INAA) were used to determine the REE and other trace elements in rare earth ore samples from province Dornogovi, Lugiin gol. Seven rare-earth elements (REE) namely La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Yb, as well as other trace elements (Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Au, Ba, Br, Ta, Hf, Th and U) have been determined by WDXRF at Central Geological Laboratory of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. For comparison, the same elements were determined by INAA using by epithermal neutron activation analyses at the IBR-2 reactor, FLNP JINR, Dubna. It is demonstrated that the WDXRF have satisfactorily agreed with INAA results within the limits of the uncertainty. It is shown that the values of the relative discrepancies between the WDXRF and the INAA results are in the range of 1.5-30.0 %.

Heavy Oil Seapage Characteristic in Cipari Area, Banyumas Central Java

Oil seepage in Cipari, Banyumas, Central Java, has long been known. Although, Its occurrence had been reported in several publications, it's properties and characteristic, have not been explained in detail. Therefore, through field geology observation and laboratory analysis, this paper attempts to describe the oil seep characteristic, possible source rock origin, and its relationship with geological features in the surrounding area. Picnometer analysis resulted that this oil seep can be classified as heavy oil with 12n API Gravity. Gas Chromatography (GC) Gas Chromatography Mass Spectometry (GCMS) analysis revealed that Cipari oil seep is heavily biodegraded. Possible source rock of the oil seep was interpreted based on bicadinane and oleanane biomarkers, which indicated that source was deposited in fluvio-deltaic/transitional environment. Based on regional geology reference of Banyumas sub-Basin, it is inferred that the source rocks possibly shale or claystone of Paleogene sediment which was thermally mature, and deposited in transition to marine environment. Deep seated fault that extent from Majenang to Karangbolong areas is probably the main migration pathway of the oil seepage from the kitchen or deep reservoir to the surface. The Cipari anticline outcrop, which associated with faults and fractures, become the place where the oil seep occurs in the surface. Heavy biodegradation of the oil seep may possibly be accelerated by hydrothermal system during migration from the reservoir/kitchen area to the surface.

CLARİFİCATİON OF STRUCTURAL AND TECTONİC FEATURES İN COMPLEX DEPOSİTS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF GURGAN-DENİZ FİELD)

CLARİFİCATİON OF STRUCTURAL AND TECTONİC FEATURES İN COMPLEX DEPOSİTS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF GURGAN-DENİZ FİELD)

LA–SF–ICP-MS U–Pb baddeleyite and zircon geochronology applied to Cretaceous alkaline rocks of the São Paulo state– Brazil

The laser ablation sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–SF–ICP-MS) U–Pb geochronological method is frequently used to date minerals, in particular zircon. In turn, baddeleyite is the ideal geochronometer when it comes to silica-undersaturated rocks, such as alkaline rock types. In this study, we describe a series of protocols to separate baddeleyite crystals and date them by the LA–SF–ICP-MS method in the Isotopic Geology Laboratory of the Geoscience Institute (University of Campinas), starting from sample crushing and milling and the calibration of the Wilfley table. The method includes the use of Kovdor and Phalaborwa primary and secondary reference materials, respectively. Laser operation conditions were spot size of 25 μm and ablation time of 60 s (20 for local blank and 40 for baddeleyite signal), at a fluence of 20 L per minute. Cretaceous alkaline rocks associated with the Paraná-Etendeka magmatic province were analyzed, comprising Jacupiranga, Pariquera-Açu, and Cananéia intrusions, all related to the Guapiara lineament. The results yielded concordant baddeleyite ages of 115–120 Ma for Jacupiranga carbonatite, around 110 Ma for Pariquera-Açu shonkinite, and 81 ± 2 Ma and 83 ± 0.4, respectively for baddeleyite and zircon from the Cananéia syenite. Despite the difficulties in baddeleyite separation, the LA–SF–ICP-MS U–Pb ages have proven to be robust for the young alkaline complexes related to the Serra do Mar Province, such as those occurring along the São Jerônimo-Curiuva Lineament, avoiding the concerns about thermal events that could reset, e.g. K–Ar and Ar–Ar systems. Field relations show a hierarchy of intrusive pulses and our data show that, temporarily, the Jacupiranga Complex is active in a younger time interval, 115 to 120 Ma, than previously established.

К 75-ЛЕТИЮ ПРОФЕССОРА Р.Д. КОСЬЯНА

On May 20, 2021, the head of the Laboratory of Lithodynamics and Geology of the Southern Department of the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, prominent scientist and public figure Kosyan Ruben Derenikovich is 75 years old. R.D. Kosyan is a leading Russian expert in the field of studying the regularities of hydrogenic movements of detrital material in the coastal zone of the sea. He is a participant of many expeditions and thematic conferences, an expert on some major international projects, and lectures in various countries of the world. Under his leadership, a group of models was developed to calculate the long-shore sediment discharge, as well as the associated deformation of the relief in the coastal zone of the sea. R.D. Kosyan was awarded the Order of Courage, as well as the International Medal of the Black Sea Commission for merits in the study of the Black Sea. Congratulations to the wonderful scientist-oceanologist on the solemn date.