Silicate Systems Research Articles

Eruption and emplacement dynamics of a thick trachytic lava flow of the Sancy volcano (France)

A 70-m-thick, 2200-m-long (51 × 106 m3) trachytic lava flow unit underlies the Puy de Cliergue (Mt. Dore, France). Excellent exposure along a 400-m-long and 60- to 85-m-high section allows the flow interior to be accessed on two sides of a glacial valley that cuts through the unit. We completed an integrated morphological, structural, textural, and chemical analysis of the unit to gain insights into eruption and flow processes during emplacement of this thick silicic lava flow, so as to elucidate the chamber and flow dynamic processed that operate during the emplacement of such systems. The unit is characterized by an inverse chemical stratification, where there is primitive lava beneath the evolved lava. The interior is plug dominated with a thin basal shear zone overlying a thick basal breccia, with ramping affecting the entire flow thickness. To understand these characteristics, we propose an eruption model that first involves processes operating in the magma chamber whereby a primitive melt is injected into an evolved magma to create a mixed zone at the chamber base. The eruption triggered by this event first emplaced a trachytic dome, into which banded lava from the chamber base was injected. Subsequent endogenous dome growth led to flow down the shallow slope to the east on which the highly viscous (1012 Pa s) coulee was emplaced. The flow likely moved extremely slowly, being emplaced over a period of 4–10 years in a glacial manner, where a thick (>60-m) plug slid over a thin (5-m-thick) basal shear zone. Excellent exposure means that the Puy de Cliergue complex can be viewed as a case type location for understanding and defining the eruption and emplacement of thick, high-viscosity, silicic lava flow systems.

The technology of preparing green coating by conducting micro-arc oxidation on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Abstract Micro-arc oxidation was applied to AZ91D magnesium alloy by taking K2Cr2O7 as the colouring salt in the silicate system. It was shown that the green coating obtained through performing micro-arc oxidation on magnesium alloy consisted of Mg, Mg2SiO4, MgO, and MgCr2O4 based on analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among which, MgCr2O4 was the colouring salt; there were something in the lamellar, pit, and convex forms found on the surface of the coating. The coating consisted of a porous, and a compact, layer from the outside to the inside. As demonstrated, the colour of the coating depended on the K2Cr2O7 concentration: it became gradually deeper with the addition of K2Cr2O7 and the increasing micro-arc oxidation time. The corrosion resistance and hardness of the green coating were greater than that of the matrix.

Direct pulp capping with novel nanostructural materials based on calcium silicate systems and hydroxyapatite

Summary Introduction Direct pulp capping is an important therapeutic method that has goal to provide formation of dentin bridge and healing process of the pulp. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of new nanostructural materials based on calcium silicate systems and hydroxyapatite on exposed dental pulp in Vietnamese pigs. Material and Methods The study was conducted on 30 teeth of two Vietnamese pigs (Sus scrofa verus). On buccal surfaces of incisors, canines and first premolars, class V cavities were prepared with a small round bur and pulp horn was exposed. In the first experimental group (10 teeth) the perforation was covered with new nanostructural material based on calcium silicate systems (CS). In the second experimental group, the perforation was covered with compound of calcium silicate systems and hydroxyapatite (HA-CS) (10 teeth). In the control group, exposed pulp was covered with Pro Root MTA® (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Johnson City, TN, USA) (10 teeth). All cavities were restored with glass ionomer cement (GC Fuji VIII, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Observation period was 28 days. After sacrificing the animals, histological preparations were done to analyze the presence of dentin bridge, inflammatory reaction of the pulp, pulp tissue reorganization and the presence of bacteria. Results Dentin bridge was observed in all teeth (experimental and control groups). Inflammation of the pulp was mild to moderate in all groups. Neoangiogenesis and many odontoblast like cells responsible for dentin bridge formation were detected. Necrosis was not observed in any case, neither the presence of Gram-positive bacteria in the pulp. Conclusion Histological analysis indicated favorable therapeutic effects of new nanostructural materials based on calcium silicate systems and hydroxyapatite for direct pulp capping in teeth of Vietnamese pigs.

3D gravity inversion and thermodynamic modelling reveal properties of shallow silicic magma reservoir beneath Laguna del Maule, Chile

Active, large volume, silicic magma systems are potentially the most hazardous form of volcanism on Earth. Knowledge of the location, size, and physical properties of silicic magma reservoirs, is therefore important for providing context in which to accurately interpret monitoring data and make informed hazard assessments. Accordingly, we present the first geophysical image of the Laguna del Maule volcanic field magmatic system, using a novel 3D inversion of gravity data constrained by thermodynamic modelling. The joint analysis of gravity and thermodynamic data allows for a rich interpretation of the magma system, and highlights the importance of considering the full thermodynamic effects on melt density, when interpreting gravity models of active magmatic systems. We image a 30 km3, low density, volatile rich magma reservoir, at around 2 km depth, containing at least 85% melt, hosted within a broader 115 km3 body interpreted as wholly or partially crystallised (>70% crystal) cumulate mush. Our model suggests a magmatic system with shallow, crystal poor magma, overlying deeper, crystal rich magma. Even though a large density contrast (−600 kg/m3) with the surrounding crust exists, the lithostatic load is 50% greater than the magma buoyancy force, suggesting buoyancy alone is insufficient to trigger an eruption. The reservoir is adjacent to the inferred extension of the Troncoso fault and overlies the location of an intruding sill, driving present day deformation. The reservoir is in close proximity to the 2.0 km3 Nieblas (rln) eruption at 2–3 ka, which we calculate tapped approximately 7% of the magma reservoir. However, we suggest that the present day magma system is not large enough to have fed all post-glacial eruptions, and that the location, or size of the system may have migrated or varied over time, with each eruption tapping only a small aliquot of the available magma. The presence of a shallow reservoir of volatile rich, near liquidus magma, in close proximity to regional scale faulting, has important implications for volcano monitoring and hazard mitigation.

Formation of the Yandangshan volcanic–plutonic complex (SE China) by melt extraction and crystal accumulation

The association of volcanic and shallow plutonic rocks in caldera may provide important clues to the geochemical evolution of silicic magma systems. The Yandangshan caldera is a typical example of late Mesozoic volcanic–plutonic complex in SE China. It is composed of a series of rhyolitic extrusives and subvolcanic intrusions of porphyritic quartz syenites. In this work, we conducted petrological and geochemical studies, as well as zircon dating, on the coexisting volcanic and plutonic rocks from the Yandangshan caldera. The results of SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating revealed that the crystallization of the rhyolitic extrusives and subvolcanic intrusions was contemporaneous within analytical errors and in a short period (104–98Ma). Geochemically, the volcanic rocks are characterized by high Rb/Sr and Rb/Ba ratios and depletion in Ba, Sr, P, Eu and Ti, while the shallow plutons show high K, Ba, Al, Fe and low Rb/Sr and Rb/Ba ratios with insignificant negative Eu anomalies. The volcanic and plutonic rocks have a similar range of zircon Hf isotopic compositions (εHf(t)=−10.0 to +1.5) and TDM2 model ages of 2.10–1.23Ga. They also have comparable whole-rock Sr and Nd isotopic compositions ((87Sr/86Sr)i=0.7084–0.7090; εNd(t)=−7.8 to −6.5) and zircon oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18O mainly=4.5 to 6.0‰). We argue that the volcanic–plutonic complex of the Yandangshan caldera was formed by reworking of Paleoproterozoic lower crusts in the eastern Cathaysia block, and that the complex could be linked by fractional crystallization and crystal accumulation in a shallow magma chamber. The volcanic rocks represent the highly fractionated end-member, whereas the subvolcanic intrusions of porphyritic quartz syenites could be the residual crystal mushes. This case study could have a general implication for the genetic relationship between volcanic and shallow plutonic rocks in calderas.

Rapid reinflation following the 2011–2012 rhyodacite eruption at Cordón Caulle volcano (Southern Andes) imaged by InSAR: Evidence for magma reservoir refill

AbstractCordón Caulle is a large fissural volcano that has erupted rhyodacitic magma of the same composition in its past three historical eruptions in 1921, 1960, and 2011–2012. There was significant ground deformation observed before and during the 2011–2012 eruption—here we use C and X band interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) time series results to document posteruptive uplift up to 0.8 m between March 2012 and May 2015, with line‐of‐sight rates up to 45 cm/yr that have been largely aseismic, along with subsidence in the 2011–2012 lava flow. The 2012 uplift rate is one of the largest for silicic systems and was likely produced by the intrusion of ~0.125 km3 of magma in the same tectonically controlled plumbing system that has been active during the historical eruptions. Nevertheless, the uplift ended before the reservoir refilled with the erupted volume, maybe due to a change in the pressure gradient produced by the 2011–2012 eruption.

Tracking bubble evolution inside a silicic dike

Pressure estimates from rapidly erupted crustal xenoliths constrain the depth of intrusion of the silicic lavas hosting them. This represents an opportunity for tracking magmatic bubble's evolution and quantifying the variation in bubble volume during rapid magma ascent through a volcanic dike just prior to eruption. The petrology, stable-isotope geochemistry and X-ray micro-tomography of dacites containing crustal xenoliths, erupted from a Neogene volcano in SE Spain, showed an increase in porosity from ~1.7 to 6.4% from ~19 to 13km depth, at nearly constant groundmass and crystal volumes. This result provides additional constraints for experimental and numerical simulations of subvolcanic magma-crust degassing processes in silicic systems, and may allow the characterization of volcanic eruptive styles based on volatile content.

The importance of sulfur for the behavior of highly-siderophile elements during Earth’s differentiation

The highly siderophile elements (HSEs) are widely used as geochemical tracers for Earth’s accretion and core formation history. It is generally considered that core formation strongly depleted the Earth’s mantle in HSEs, which were subsequently replenished by a chondritic late veneer. However, open questions remain regarding the origin of suprachondritic Ru/Ir and Pd/Ir ratios that are thought to be characteristic for the primitive upper mantle. In most core-formation models that address the behavior of the HSEs, light elements such as S entering the core have not been taken into account and high P–T experimental data for S-bearing compositions are scarce. Here we present a comprehensive experimental study to investigate the effect of increasing S concentration in the metal on HSE metal–silicate partitioning at 2473K and 11GPa. We show that the HSEs become less siderophile with increasing S concentrations in the metal, rendering core-forming metal less efficient in removing the HSEs from the mantle if S is present. Furthermore, we investigated the FeS sulfide–silicate partitioning of the HSEs as a function of pressure (7–21GPa) and temperature (2373–2673K). The sulfide–silicate partition coefficient for Pt increases strongly with P, whereas those for Pd, Ru and Ir all decrease. The combined effect is such that above ∼20GPa Ru becomes less chalcophile than Pt, which is opposite to their behavior in the metal–silicate system where Ru is always more siderophile than Pt. The newly determined experimental results are used in a simple 2-stage core formation model that takes into account the effect of S on the behavior of the HSEs during core formation. Results of this model show that segregation of a sulfide liquid to the core from a mantle with substantial HSE concentrations plays a key role in reproducing Earth’s mantle HSE abundances. As Ru and Pd are less chalcophile than Pt and Ir at high P–T, some Ru and Pd remain in the mantle after sulfide segregation. Addition of the late veneer then raised the concentrations of all HSE to their current levels. Suprachondritic Ru/Ir and Pd/Ir ratios of the mantle can thus be explained by a combination of sulfide segregation together with the addition of a late veneer without the need to invoke unknown chondritic material.

Studies on the Alkali-Silica Reaction Rim in a Simplified Calcium-Alkali-Silicate System.

This work is intended to provide a better understanding about the properties and roles of the reaction rim in an alkali–silica reaction. A simplified calcium–alkali–silicate system was created to simulate the multiple interactions among reactive silica, alkaline solution and portlandite near the aggregate surface during the formation and evolution of the reaction rim in an alkali–silica reaction. A transport barrier preventing the migration of calcium and silicate through itself was found on the interface between the alkali silicate and the calcium hydroxide. The barrier was mainly composed of calcium alkali silicate with silicon–oxygen organizations of Q2 and Q3 according to the results of 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance, the calcium to silica mole ratio ranging from 0.22 to 0.53 and the alkali to silica ratio ranging from 0.20 to 0.26 based the location of the elemental compositional analysis and the storage period of the system.

Elucidating the magmatic history of the Austurhorn silicic intrusive complex (southeast Iceland) using zircon elemental and isotopic geochemistry and geochronology

The Austurhorn intrusive complex (AIC) in southeast Iceland comprises large bodies of granophyre and gabbro, and a mafic–silicic composite zone (MSCZ) that exemplifies magmatic interactions common in Icelandic silicic systems. Despite being one of Iceland’s best-studied intrusions, few studies have included detailed analyses of zircon, a mineral widely recognized as a valuable tracer of the history and evolution of its parental magma(s). In this study, we employ high spatial resolution zircon elemental and isotopic geochemistry and U–Pb geochronology as tools for elucidating the complex construction and magmatic evolution of Austurhorn’s MSCZ. The trace element compositions of AIC zircon crystals form a broad but coherent array that partly overlaps with the geochemical signature for zircons from Icelandic silicic volcanic rocks. Typical of Icelandic zircons, Hf concentrations are relatively low (<10,000 ppm) and Ti concentrations range from 5 to 40 ppm (Ti-in-zircon model temperatures = 761–981 °C). Zircon δ18O values vary from +2.2 to +4.8 ‰, consistent with magmatic zircons from other Icelandic silicic rocks, and preserve evidence for recycling of hydrothermally altered crust as a significant contribution to the generation of silicic magmas within the AIC. Zircon e Hf values generally range from +11 to +15. This range overlaps with that of Icelandic basalts from off-rift settings as well as the least depleted rift basalts, suggesting that the AIC developed within a transitional rift environment. In situ zircon U–Pb ages yield a weighted mean of 6.52 ± 0.03 Ma for the entire complex, but span a range of ~320 kyr, from 6.35 ± 0.08 to 6.67 ± 0.06 Ma (2σ SE). Gabbros and the most silicic units make up the older part of this range, while granophyres and intermediate units make up the younger part of the complex, consistent with field relationships. We interpret the ~320 kyr range in zircon ages to represent the approximate timescale of magmatic construction of the MSCZ. These U–Pb data suggest that the complex was constructed by multiple short-lived magmatic intrusion events occurring closely spaced in time, allowing periodic re-melting and rejuvenation of mush-like material and a prolonged lifetime for the complex.

Structure, Functionality, and Active Release of Nanoclay–Soy Protein Films Affected by Clove Essential Oil

Nowadays, there is a pronounced interest in the potential use of biopolymer/layered silicate systems as active food packaging. This manuscript studied the effect of clove essential oil addition to soy protein–montmorillonite (MMT) films on the material’s structure, functionality, and active release. Active nanocomposite films were prepared by casting from aqueous dispersions containing soy protein isolates (SPI), glycerol, different concentrations of MMT and clove essential oil. Besides the important antioxidants and antimicrobial properties provided to nanocomposite films, the addition of clove essential oil exerted a plasticizing effect, which was verified in a decrease in the tensile strength and elastic modulus (up to 50 and 75 %, respectively) and an increase of the water content of films (up to 20 %). But the nanoclay caused a further strengthening effect in films containing CEO. While nanocomposite films containing 10 g MMT/100 g SPI reached an increase of 105 and 200 % in tensile strength and Young’s modulus, respectively, and a decrease of 340 % in their elongation at break, those that also contained CEO reached higher variations (230, 345, and 290 %, respectively). Clove essential oil presence also favored the exfoliation of montmorillonite into the soy protein matrix, while the nanoclay seemed to promote the release of active compounds, occasionally modifying the antimicrobial activity of films as well as the release of some of its Si and Al ions after being in contact with water (at least twice).

Sol–Gel Synthesis and Crystal Nucleation of Photosensitive Au/Ag- Containing Glasses of Lithium Silicate System

A sol–gel method has been proposed for obtaining the sintering mixture used in the preparing of a photosensitive Au/Ag-containing glasses of the Li 2 O - SiO 2 system. It has been established that the use of sol–gel method for the production of the batch for synthesizing photosensitive Au/Ag-containing glasses gives more homogeneous distribution of Au/Ag metals in the bulk of the glass. Crystal-nucleation main characteristics have been defined in a large area of compounds of photo-structured compositions of a lithium–silicate system (23.4–46.0 Li 2 O mol % by analysis) both for spontaneous and catalyzed nucleations. The spontaneous (homogeneous) nucleation happened in the samples without any photosensitive metals and with photosensitive gold–silver additives (0.05 wt % above 100%) without irradiation; the catalyzed (heterogeneous) nucleation happened in the samples with photosensitive silver ore gold additives under x-ray CuK I± irradiation. The ranges of the compositions of the glasses in which the effect of catalyzing irradiation is reversed (suppressing nucleation in accordance with the autocatalytic mechanism) under certain conditions. The spontaneous and catalyzed nucleation of crystals in the glasses of Li 2 O – SiO 2 system caused by the addition of photosensitive impurities and X-ray irradiation was analyzed in glasses with a very wide range of compositions in Li 2 O – SiO 2 system. Composition ranges with positive (+) and negative (-) differences in the rates of catalyzed and spontaneous steady-state nucleation were established. This finding point is favorable for obtaining photostructured (photosensitive) materials. The concentration limit was determined to be 37.98 mol % Li 2 O. About this value, we observe a modification of the mechanism of nucleation of crystals. The behavior of crystal nucleation in photostructured glasses under X-ray irradiation changes to the reverse: autocatalytic nucleation is suppressed rather than induced by x-ray CuK I± irradiation. These peculiarities of crystallization mechanism in glasses under study give one the possibility to choose the correct composition range depending on the problems facing researchers.

Sol–Gel Synthesis and Crystal Nucleation of Photosensitive Au/Ag- Containing Glasses of Lithium Silicate System

A sol–gel method has been proposed for obtaining the sintering mixture used in the preparing of a photosensitive Au/Ag-containing glasses of the Li2O - SiO2 system. It has been established that the use of sol–gel method for the production of the batch for synthesizing photosensitive Au/Ag-containing glasses gives more homogeneous distribution of Au/Ag metals in the bulk of the glass. Crystal-nucleation main characteristics have been defined in a large area of compounds of photo-structured compositions of a lithium-silicate system (23.4–46.0 Li2O mol % by analysis) both for spontaneous and catalyzed nucleations. The spontaneous (homogeneous) nucleation happened in the samples without any photosensitive metals and with photosensitive gold–silver additives (0.05 wt % above 100%) without irradiation; the catalyzed (heterogeneous) nucleation happened in the samples with photosensitive silver ore gold additives under x-ray CuKa irradiation. The ranges of the compositions of the glasses in which the effect of catalyzing irradiation is reversed (suppressing nucleation in accordance with the autocatalytic mechanism) under certain conditions. The spontaneous and catalyzed nucleation of crystals in the glasses of Li2O–SiO2 system caused by the addition of photosensitive impurities and X-ray irradiation was analyzed in glasses with a very wide range of compositions in Li2O–SiO2 system. Composition ranges with positive (+) and negative (-) differences in the rates of catalyzed and spontaneous steady-state nucleation were established. This finding point is favorable for obtaining photostructured (photosensitive) materials. The concentration limit was determined to be 37.98 mol % Li2O. About this value, we observe a modification of the mechanism of nucleation of crystals. The behavior of crystal nucleation in photostructured glasses under X-ray irradiation changes to the reverse: autocatalytic nucleation is suppressed rather than induced by x-ray CuKa irradiation. These peculiarities of crystallization mechanism in glasses under study give one the possibility to choose the correct composition range depending on the problems facing researchers.

SilMush: A procedure for modeling of the geochemical evolution of silicic magmas and granitic rocks

A boundary layer crystallization modeling program is presented that specifically addresses the chemical fractionation in silicic magma systems and the solidification of plutonic bodies. The model is a Langmuir (1989) type approach and does not invoke crystal settling in high-viscosity silicic melts. The primary aim is to model a granitic rock as a congealed crystal-liquid mush, and to integrate major element and trace element modeling. The procedure allows for some exploratory investigation of the exsolution of H2O-fluids and of the fluid/melt partitioning of trace elements. The procedure is implemented as a collection of subroutines for the MS Excel spreadsheet environment and is coded in the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) language. To increase the flexibility of the modeling, the procedure is based on discrete numeric process simulation rather than on solution of continuous differential equations. The program is applied to a study of the geochemical variation within and among three granitic units (Senones, Natzwiller, Kagenfels) from the Variscan Northern Vosges Massif, France. The three units cover the compositional range from monzogranite, over syenogranite to alkali-feldspar granite. An extensive set of new major element and trace element data is presented. Special attention is paid to the essential role of accessory minerals in the fractionation of the Rare Earth Elements. The crystallization model is able to reproduce the essential major and trace element variation trends in the data sets of the three separate granitic plutons. The Kagenfels alkali-feldspar leucogranite couples very limited variation in major element composition to a considerable and complex variation of trace elements. The modeling results can serve as a guide for the reconstruction of the emplacement sequence of petrographically distinct units. Although the modeling procedure essentially deals with geochemical fractionation within a single pluton, the modeling results bring up a number of questions about the petrogenetic relationships among parental magmas of nearly coeval granitic units emplaced in close proximity.

Quantifying unsteadiness and dynamics of pulsatory volcanic activity

Pulsatory eruptions are marked by a sequence of explosions which can be separated by time intervals ranging from a few seconds to several hours. The quantification of the periodicities associated with these eruptions is essential not only for the comprehension of the mechanisms controlling explosivity, but also for classification purposes. We focus on the dynamics of pulsatory activity and quantify unsteadiness based on the distribution of the repose time intervals between single explosive events in relation to magma properties and eruptive styles. A broad range of pulsatory eruption styles are considered, including Strombolian, violent Strombolian and Vulcanian explosions. We find a general relationship between the median of the observed repose times in eruptive sequences and the viscosity of magma given by η≈100⋅tmedianη≈100⋅tmedian. This relationship applies to the complete range of magma viscosities considered in our study (102 to 109 Pa s) regardless of the eruption length, eruptive style and associated plume heights, suggesting that viscosity is the main magma property controlling eruption periodicity. Furthermore, the analysis of the explosive sequences in terms of failure time through statistical survival analysis provides further information: dynamics of pulsatory activity can be successfully described in terms of frequency and regularity of the explosions, quantified based on the log-logistic distribution. A linear relationship is identified between the log-logistic parameters, μ and s. This relationship is useful for quantifying differences among eruptive styles from very frequent and regular mafic events (Strombolian activity) to more sporadic and irregular Vulcanian explosions in silicic systems. The time scale controlled by the parameter μ, as a function of the median of the distribution, can be therefore correlated with the viscosity of magmas; while the complexity of the erupting system, including magma rise rate, degassing and fragmentation efficiency, can be also described based on the log-logistic parameter s, which is found to increase from regular mafic systems to highly variable silicic systems. These results suggest that the periodicity of explosions, quantified in terms of the distribution of repose times, can give fundamental information about the system dynamics and change regularly across eruptive styles (i.e., Strombolian to Vulcanian), allowing for direct comparison and quantification of different types of pulsatory activity during these eruptions.

Siderophile Elements in Tracing Planetary Formation and Evolution.

The siderophile, or iron-loving elements have many applications in the Earth and planetary sciences. In primitive meteorites, differences in the relative abundances of these elements are likely due to both nebular and parent body processes. In addition, some siderophile elements are also characterised by isotopically distinctive nucleosynthetic signatures. Thus, the relative abundances and isotopic compositions of these elements can be used to trace the genetics of primary planetary building blocks. Although these elements are largely concentrated in the metallic cores of differentiated planetary bodies, their absolute and relative abundances, as well as their isotopic compositions can also reveal important information regarding conditions of core formation and the chemical evolution of the silicate portions of the planetary bodies. The lithophile-siderophile nature of the radiogenic 182Hf-182W system allow it to be used to place chronologic constraints on planetary core formation. The differing incompatibilities of the two elements in silicate systems further mean that the system can also be used to study early differentiation processes and subsequent efficiency of mixing in the silicate portions of differentiated bodies, including Earth. The abundances of siderophile elements in the terrestrial mantle are used to assess primary and secondary melting processes, and resulting metasomatic interactions. In addition, the Re-Os isotope system can, in some instances, be used to place chronologic constraints on when these processes occurred. The abundances of siderophile elements, and 187Os/188Os and 186Os/188Os ratios in the mantle sources of ocean island basalts can be used to place constraints on the age of recycled materials, and in some instances, the types of recycled materials present in these mantle domains.

The Life and Times of Silicic Volcanic Systems

Silicic volcanic systems provide timed snapshots at the Earth's surface of the magmatic processes that also build complementary plutons in the crust. Links between these two realms are considered here using three Quaternary (<2.6 Ma) examples from New Zealand and the USA. In these systems, magmatic processes can be timed and the changes in magmatic conditions can be followed through the sequence of quenched volcanic eruption products. Before an eruption, magma accumulation processes can occur on timescales as short as decades, and whole magma systems can be rebuilt in millennia. Silicic volcanic processes, in general, act on timescales that are too rapid to be effectively measured in the exposed plutonic record.

Geophysical Evidence for Silicic Crustal Melt in the Continents: Where, What Kind, and How Much?

The accumulation of sizeable volumes of magma in the upper crust may produce plutons and/or result in supereruptions. Geophysical observations provide constraints on the rates, volumes, and melt distributions in magmatic systems, but they suffer from limited resolution and inherent nonuniqueness. Different, yet complementary, geophysical approaches must be combined with petrological, laboratory, and geochemical measurements. We summarize the results from such a combined approach from the central Andes. Taking a global perspective on large silicic systems reveals that several have >10% partial melt over large areas (10s of km2), and there may be localized zones with 50% or more.

Understanding the Seasonal Dynamics of the Groundwater Hydrogeochemistry in National Capital Territory (NCT) of India Through Geochemical Modelling

A geochemical assessment of seasonal dynamics in the groundwater chemistry of the National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi, was attempted through geochemical modelling, mineral precipitation sequences with rainfall and water evaporation cycle. Saturation indices calculated using PHREEQC indicated that the degree of water–rock equilibrium changes significantly from pre-monsoon to post-monsoon. The schematic model of SI change with water table fluctuation showed that during monsoon, as rainwater percolates through the soil, partial pressure of CO2 becomes higher than that of the atmospheric value and led to the formation of more carbonic acid that react with the carbonate minerals to produce $${{{\text{HCO}}_{3}^{-} }}$$ , Mg2+ and Ca2+. The thermodynamic stability relationships of water chemistry in the Na, K, Ca and Mg silicate systems showed that for the samples with higher EC equilibrium between clay and primary minerals is not likely to be the main processes controlling variation in the groundwater chemistry. Chloro-alkaline indices (CAI) are positive when the groundwater level is high and become negative with the lowering of water level, i.e. when water level is high, reverse ion exchange is dominant. In case of pre-monsoon season, lower and negative value of CAI-1 and CAI-2 indicates dominance of ion exchange process and increases dissolved solid concentration in groundwater. The conceptual geochemical model depicted that water table fluctuation resulting from heavy pumping/withdrawal and recharge in association with the variation in DO, $${{{\text{HCO}}_{3}^{-} }}$$ and Fe regulates the water–mineral equilibrium. The conceptual geochemical model explained the hydrogeochemical processes and their variations with water table fluctuation and, thus, highlighted the descriptive capabilities of PHREEQC. The study suggested that in the subsurface environment, complex interactions are simultaneously functioning, and hence, significant seasonal variations are likely to be very influential due to monsoonal recharge and subsequent changes in the saturation states of the water.

Laboratory Testing of Environmentally Friendly Sodium Silicate Systems for Water Management Through Conformance Control

Summary The goal of this work is to screen and evaluate laboratory mixtures of existing commercial, environmentally friendly sodium silicate chemicals that can be used for water management in naturally fractured carbonate (NFC) reservoirs. A thorough evaluation of a chemical for conformance-control purposes requires the investigation of the chemical properties before, during, and after gelation. These properties are the gelant's viscosity, pH, filterability, and injectivity; the gelation time and kinetics of the gelation process; strength of the formed gel against applied external forces; gel stability; gel shrinkage; and post-gelation-time behavior. This investigation has been conducted for different combinations (gelant systems) of sodium silicate with two types of polymers (a xanthan biopolymer and a low-molecular-weight synthetic polymer) and a crosslinker. Measurements on the gelant systems’ viscosity showed that the base sodium silicate system has a low, water-like, viscosity with a Newtonian behavior. This provides significant benefits for matrix treatment, but higher gelant viscosities may be required when sodium silicate gelants are used for conformance control of highly conductive fluid pathways to minimize potential placement difficulties caused by the lack of wellbore control with the possibility of the injected gelant reaching nondepleted formation regions, especially in cases of static gelation. This can be partially addressed by enhancing the gelant's viscosity through the addition of polymers without sacrificing, or even increasing in some cases, the resulting gel strength while at the same time lowering the gelant matrix injectivity. Gelant systems containing biopolymer resulted in a more shear-thinning behavior than other gelant systems, and the measured viscosity/shear-rate data could be well-matched with the Carreau-Yassuda model. Traditional tube testing and dynamic oscillatory tests were performed to measure the gelation time and monitor the gelation process and viscoelastic behavior of the formed gel at various temperatures. Gelation time, a critical factor in the placement of the injected-chemical system, can be tailored to field conditions by adjusting the gelant systems’ contents and concentrations. The strength of the formed gels of various gelant systems were compared on the basis of the results from maximum-compressional-pressure (MCP) tests. Strength tests showed promising gel behavior mainly for two of the selected gelant systems, one of which is the base system (sodium silicate without polymer additives) and the other is a silicate/biopolymer system. Silicate/synthetic-polymer systems, with or without crosslinker, yield significantly weaker gels. More-detailed investigations are needed, mostly on the interpretation of the tests, to be able to upscale the laboratory results to field applications. In addition to bulk measurements, coreflood tests were also conducted in artificially fractured carbonate cores to investigate gel-isolation effectiveness and formed-gel stability and shrinkage at static gelation conditions. Although some shrinkage was observed over time in practically all core laboratory experiments, the resulting core average permeabilities in post-gelation floods were significantly lower than the original fracture rock sample permeability. This was observed especially in the base sodium silicate and the silicate/biopolymer systems that were engaged to isolate the artificial core sample “fracture.” Systems containing synthetic polymers resulted in more shrinkage.