Journal of African Earth Sciences最新文献

An exceptional hypertrophic batoid rostrum of exceptional size (TL = 146 cm) and four fragmentary rostral teeth collected from the marine Maastrichtian of the Dakhla Formation, Egypt. Both the macroscopic aspects (with the presence of a "wood-like" layer that covers the central part of the rostrum and the presence of skin denticles at the bases of the ventral face) and microscopic characters (presence of tessellated cartilage in the central part of the rostrum and of laminated cartilage in the peripheral areas of it) demonstrate that the rostrum belongs to a large specimen of the genus Onchopristis Stromer, 1917. The absence of complete rostral teeth prevents the establishment of a new species. Nonetheless, the described finds demonstrate, for the first time, that the genus Onchopristis persisted in the euryhaline areas of North Africa until the end of the Cretaceous.

This research aims to perform a comprehensive examination encompassing sequence stratigraphy and petrophysical assessment of the Cretaceous meqasequence along the Gulf of Suez region. Through an investigation of eight wells, spanning both offshore and onshore fields in the Gulf of Suez Basin, the sequence stratigraphic analysis reveals a division of the Cretaceous meqasequence into two distinct depositional sequences: Early Cretaceous (SQ-1) and Late Cretaceous megasequence. The Early Cretaceous megasequence comprises the Nubia Sandstones, while the Late Cretaceous megasequence includes the siliciclastic/carbonate sediments found within the Raha, Abu Qada, Wata, and Matulla Formations (SQ-2, SQ-3, and SQ-4). The distribution of the Cretaceous megasequences across the study area highlights a significant variation in thickness from the onshore to the offshore regions of the Gulf of Suez. This variation is primarily attributed to tectonic forces that governed both the deposition and erosion of sediments over time. The lowstand systems tracts (LSTs) and highstand systems tracts (HSTs) within both Cretaceous megasequences are characterized by sufficient sand content, making them favorable reservoirs.

Conversely, the transgressive systems tracts (TSTs) are identified as potential reservoir rocks. The analysis of petrophysical properties across different Cretaceous reservoirs reveals that the Early Cretaceous fluvial megasequence exhibits superior reservoir qualities compared to its Late Cretaceous counterpart. However, the Late Cretaceous megasequence comprises reservoirs with multiple levels and diverse petrophysical characteristics. The study offers valuable insights into how petrophysical properties and sequence stratigraphy influence Cretaceous reservoir architecture. Examining the depositional environments and petrophysical evaluation enhances our understanding of reservoir quality and distribution. Furthermore, it guides future exploration activities in the mixed siliciclastic and carbonate multi-level intervals of the Gulf of Suez and nearby basins, aiding in identifying potential hydrocarbon zones and optimizing drilling strategies.

This research paper introduces a comprehensive methodology for assessing hydrothermal alteration zones and structural complexity in the Ezzhiliga region, situated in the Hercynian Central Massif of Morocco. The approach utilizes ASTER imagery as the primary data source. The main objectives were to identify and analyze these geological features and then create a potential map for mineral exploration by integrating fuzzy logic and fractal concentration area analysis. Band ratios (RBD) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to detect and map argillic, phyllic, propylitic, and iron oxide alteration zones. Additionally, structural lineaments were extracted from the PC1 imagery to understand the structural pattern of the survey area. The incorporation of hydrothermal alteration zones and structural lineaments was achieved through the application of a fuzzy logic model, resulting in the generation of a mineral favorability map. The fuzzy logic model was customized to combine hydrothermal alteration and lineaments density maps, effectively eliminating false spectral anomalies induced by various interference factors. This map was then analyzed using the fractal concentration-area (C-A) model, which separated the anomaly from the geological background and generated a final mineral potential map. Analysis of fractal concentration-area was employed to define thresholds with greater precision, enhancing the reliability of mineral prospectivity assessments. Furthermore, laboratory analyses were performed to verify the outcomes of the mineral potential map. The obtained results revealed a significant affinity with the field data and indicated that the highly prospective zones are perfectly limited in spatial extent and generally associated with the contact of the Zaër granitic pluton with the metamorphic host rock, except for the anomaly identified to the southeast of the study area, along a major NE-SW trending fault.

The GIS-based geomorphological and morphometric approaches were combined with field- and tephrostratigraphic analyses to reconstruct the history of the Mt Manengouba volcano including the Eboga maars in the southwestern part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). The elevation, slope, relative relief, topographic position and terrain ruggedness indexes from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM, 12.5 m) were determined to constrain two main geomorphic units corresponding to the Elengoum and Eboga nested stratovolcanoes which were affected by differential erosional processes. The studied grain size, shape, vesicularity, structure, degree of lithification, sorting, thickness, grading patterns, sedimentary features, spatial distribution revealed three tephrostratigraphic units: U1 (U_1-1, lithic and juvenile; U_1-2 dominantly juvenile), U2 (U_2-1 ash- and juvenile rich-deposits; U_2-2, juvenile-scoria with few lithic) and U3 (scoria cone deposits). The total volume of ∼0.199 km³ of tephra deposits ranges the Eboga maars volcanoes within the small-volume monogenetic types. These results revealed dry/wet phreatomagmatism and strombolian activity as a contribution to the seven phases-eruptive history of the Mt Manengouba volcano: the pre-Manengouba; emplacement of Elengoum stratovolcano; collapse of Elengoum summit and formation of Elengoum caldera; emplacement of Eboga stratovolcano; the collapse of Eboga summit and formation of Eboga caldera; a phreatomagmatic phase and emplacement of Female and Male maars ending with an explosive stage associated with the formation of scoria and parasitic cones.

The main aim of this study is to delineate the hydrocarbon potential and evaluate the petroleum system elements of the Cenomanian Abu Roash G (AR/G) and the Upper Bahariya Members in the Karama Field. It lies at the southeast borders of the Abu Gharadig Basin, a well-known basin in the W.D. to the NE of Africa. We accomplish this study by analyzing a total of thirty 2D seismic profiles, a complete data set of well logs for five wells, and their geochemical data. The workflow starts with illustrating the dominant subsurface structural features, defining the main potential reservoirs and their parameters, and checking the maturity of the probable source rocks. The seismic interpretation indicated that the research area had been influenced by a NE-SW anticlinal structure accompanied by a set of WNW-ESE and NW-SE normal faults that are controlled by the positive compression inversion process that dominated during the Late Cretaceous. Analyzing and processing the well log data sets suggest that the reservoirs of the Abu Roash G (AR/G) and the Upper Bahariya Members are characterized by poor to good reservoir settings with net-pay thickness reaching up to 13–50 feet in the different wells (av. Effective porosity (∅_eff) = 17.7 % and 15.6% for the AR/G and the Upper Bahariya Members, av. Shale volume (Vsh) = 17.4 % and 13.6 %, av. Water saturation (Sw) = 38.9 % and 39.8 %, while av. Hydrocarbon saturation values (So) = 60.2 % and 61.1%, respectively). The geochemical and maturity analyses assisted in determining the potential mature source rocks of the Jurassic Khatatba Shale (TOC = 0.70–5.67%; S₁+S₂ = 0.43–5.97 mg/g, Ro = 0.54–1.06 %) with some contribution from the Cretaceous sources (Alam El-Bueib and Bahariya Formations). Studying elements of the petroleum regime of the Karama Field indicates that the trapped hydrocarbons are structurally controlled by three-way dip closures, horst blocks, sealing faults, and vertical sealing by impervious shale and limestone beds. This case study could be applied to similar analogs in other oil fields in the Egyptian Western Desert to delineate their hydrocarbon potential and structural setting.

Within the Variscan Belt of Morocco, the Central Massif preserves Early Carboniferous rift basins. The Lower Carboniferous Khenifra and Qasbat-Tadla basins are aborted rifts, developed just before the Variscan orogenesis in Morocco that occurred during the Pennsylvanian-Cisuralian in NW Africa. Due to both weak inversion of these basins during the Variscan orogeny and limited burial afterwards, these basins offer the opportunity to study the Early Carboniferous pre-orogenic thermal regimes. In the Khenifra basin, 77 samples collected across the basin and its basement's boundaries, allowed the determination of the maximal temperature reached during the rocks burial by means of Raman spectroscopic analyses. The Ordovician basement shows mean temperatures between 230 and 300 °C whereas the upper Visean/Serpukhovian infill has a wide range, from temperatures <160 °C to 250–260 °C. This thermal variation within the basinal series has been evidenced from west to east and cannot have been acquired during the Variscan events. The acquisition of these maximal temperatures occurred between Late Devonian to Upper Visean/Serpukhovian and is thought to result from the formation of an extended rift. In the Qasbat-Tadla basin, Rock-Eval data from Ordovician to Devonian source-rocks indicate significantly lower maximal temperatures reached by pre-Carboniferous samples that are within the oil window. Our results are in favor of a heterodox model for the Variscan belt in Morocco and NW African in general, suggesting that no pre-Variscan compressional events are needed. Instead, the development of the intraplate Variscan belt in NW Africa was permitted through the development of hot and weak Lower Carboniferous basins, subsequently inverted in a far-field stress field. The striking thermal differences between the Khenifra and Qasbat-Tadla basins suggest that important tectonic segmentation must have shaped the area during the Early Carboniferous extensional phase.

The Red Sea coastal environment of Halayeb and Shalateen area is renowned for its abundant marine flora and fauna. It also holds significant economic and cultural importance for local communities. However, this region is currently confronted with various challenges, including climate change and habitat destruction. To effectively address and mitigate these issues, advanced technologies that offer a holistic understanding of the area's environmental conditions are required. This paper applies the integration of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) and ChatGPT to study the Red Sea Coastal water quality dynamics of Halayeb and Shalateen Area. Landsat imagery and Copernicus Marine Service were used to retrieve area boundaries and monitor the physicochemical characteristics of the coastal water respectively. ChatGPT was utilized to generate Python code that facilitates the creation of optimal distribution maps for each physical and chemical property criterion. The Python codes were incorporated into the Python program within the ArcGIS 10.7.1 and executed to generate the desired maps representing the dynamics of physical and chemical properties. It was found an observed fluctuation in chemical properties next to the coastline around the mouth of two main wadies; Wadi Hudain, and Wadi Da'eb. The degree of stability increased away from the coast toward the deep water. That proved the effect of the runoff on the seawater, as the runoff plays an essential role in the water state, especially in such semi-closed water bodies like the Red Sea where the flashfloods are the main source that can enrich water with sediment and nutrients. The state of seawater in terms of physical properties was not characterized by a specific pattern. The distribution of physical parameters in the Red Sea is influenced by factors such as regional climate variations, monsoonal winds, and local topography. This paper serves as a stepping stone for future research endeavors, exploring the full potential of this integrated approach. It can be concluded that the fusion of GeoAI and ChatGPT technologies has the potential to revolutionize our approach to studying and managing the coastal environment.

The Yengejeh diasporic karst bauxite deposit (NW Iran) was developed as discontinuous layers and lenses along the contact of dolomitic limestone of the Ruteh Formation (middle-upper Permian) and dolomite of the Elika Formation (Triassic). This deposit is constituted by two conspicuous subset layers, (1) green bauxite (GB) and (2) red bauxite (RB). The XRD analytic data revealed that diaspore is accompanied by chlorite and anatase in the GB subset and by hematite in the RB subset. Minerals such as pyrophyllite, kaolinite, illite, and rutile are present within the both subsets. The antithetical distributions of Al with Fe and Al with Ti in the deposit are indicative of the controlling role of climatic changes of the depositional environment and the function of post-formation diagenetic processes. The increment in certain geochemical ratios like La/Y, (La/Yb)_N, and (LREE/HREE)_N from the top toward the bottom of the horizon is designative of pH increase in depositional milieu by buffering of the percolating solutions, and of preferential scavenging of LREE by hematite. The positive Ce anomaly in the GB subset took place as the result of change in the oxidation state of this element from Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺. However, the positive Ce anomalies in the RB subset implicates preferential scavenging of Ce onto hematite. The marked variation range in anomaly values of Eu/Eu* (0.38–1.01) at Yengejeh reveals that this index acted as non-conservative during the evolution of this deposit, and this behavior is related most likely to influences of post-formation diagenetic processes.