Mémoire (M.Sc.T.)--Unviversité du Québec à Chicoutimi, 2001. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thèse (M.Sc.T.) -- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 2006. / La p. de t. porte en outre: Mémoire présenté à l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi comme exigence partielle de la maîtrise en sciences de la terre. CaQCU Bibliogr.: f. 274-294. Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128).

In recent decades there has been an increased interest in the carbon content of Earth’s geochemical reservoirs due to the impact of atmospheric carbon on the habitability of our planet. Earth’s interior likely hosts a greater mass of carbon than that of the oceans, atmosphere and crust combined, which has buffered the carbon content of the atmosphere over geological time. Yet only a few direct measurements of carbon from the upper mantle, and none from the lower mantle, have been made. Undegassed basalts erupted at mid-ocean ridges have previously been used to estimate the carbon content of the upper mantle. However, due to the low solubility of carbon within silicate melt, these undegassed basalt suites are rare. The majority of basalts have lost their mantle carbon information en route to eruption through the crust. Various crustal processes act to modify the geochemistry of melts before eruption, therefore it is important to be able to characterise the effect of these processes to better interpret the volatile signals preserved in erupted products. Pressure, and therefore depth, is a key parameter controlling volatile solubility and can be estimated using a variety of igneous barometers. This thesis presents results from crys- tallisation experiments conducted on basaltic glass from the Miðfell eruption, Iceland. The experiments provide new data that has been used to test a variety of barometers and crystalli- sation models used by igneous petrologists, and could aid future barometer recalibration. A key part of this work was the development of an experimental method for stabilising 5 kbar conditions in a piston cylinder apparatus. The experiments have shown that clinopyroxene- liquid barometry is more reliable than multi-reaction barometry. However, knowledge of equilibrium clinopyroxene compositions is crucial for accurately determining pressure using the clinopyroxene-liquid barometer. More experiments conducted at mid-crustal pressures are required for a full recalibration of these barometers. The results of testing igneous barometers and crystallisation models have been applied to two suites of olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Kistufell and Miðfell eruptions to help determine the melt evolution history of these basalts. These eruptions were targeted due to previously measured noble gas isotopic ratios that suggest a primordial mantle component present in their melting regions, and therefore evoking the possibility that they could hold information about deep mantle carbon. Barometry suggests that Miðfell phases equilibrated, and therefore crystallised, at mid-crustal pressures (5–7 kbar), which could allow for the entrapment of undegassed melt inclusions within olivine. The two melt inclusion suites were found to differ in trace element variability, with the observation that the more trace element enriched eruption, Kistufell, had lower relative trace element variability than the more depleted eruption, Miðfell. Several processes, both in the crust and the mantle, are likely responsible for the level of trace element enrichment and variability, including extent of mantle melting, source heterogeneity, and melt transport. The depleted nature of the Miðfell melt inclusions has allowed them to preserve some of the highest CO$_2$/Ba and CO$_2$/Nb ratios ever recorded in basaltic glass, with ratios over five times greater than undegassed mid-ocean ridge basalt values. This carbon enrichment is not due to any crustal melt modification process, but rather pertaining to lower mantle carbon-rich lithologies that have been tapped by the Icelandic mantle plume. The carbon reservoir beneath Miðfell is estimated to contain 744 $\pm$ 188 ppm carbon, 15 times greater than the depleted upper mantle. This value matches estimates of bulk mantle carbon from planetary mass balance calculations and provides evidence for carbon-rich domains within the Earth.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the origin, source characteristics, evolution petrogenesis and emplacement mechanisms of Beypazari-Oymaaga&ccedil / granitoids. These granitoids are intruded into a metamorphic basement and nonconformably overlain by Neogene clastic rocks. Field work, petrographical and geochemical studies are carried out to determine the petrologic features and tectonic setting of the granitoid body. The Beypazari-Oymaaga&ccedil / pluton is a composite pluton with its host batholith, enclaves, aplite dykes and a pegmatite. The batholith is generally composed of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase and hornblende. Field observations and petrographic investigations indicate that the host batholith has granodiorite composition and shows distinct differences in the abundances of quartz, amphibole minerals (e.g., hornblende) and of enclaves. The samples taken from TavuktaSi Tepe contain relatively less amphibole and enclaves but more quartz. Compared with them, samples from the rest of the batholith have relatively abundant amphibole, K-feldspar megacrysts, and enclaves but less quartz. Enclaves derived from magma mixing/mingling processes are dioritic in composition. Geochemical data obtained from whole rock analyses show that the pluton is shallowly emplaced and has calc-alkaline, metaluminous to peraluminous chemistry. It is characterized by enrichments in LIL and LREE, especially in K, Rb and Th. Although, there is a distinct petrographic variation in the batholith, the geochemical characteristics are uniform throughout the pluton. The Oymaaga&ccedil / Granitoids which have I-type identity are typical representatives of magmatic arc environment. The present study suggests that the possible source of magma is the upper crust and can be compared with the coeval volcanism in Galatean Volcanic Arc.

Mémoire (M.Sc.T.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1990. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Mémoire (M.Sc.T.) -- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 2004. / Bibliogr.: f. [149]-154. Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

The Tibetan plateau is a vast, elevated region located in central Asia, which is underlain by the thickest crust known on Earth (up to 90 km). An outstanding question of importance to many fields within geology is how and why did the Tibetan plateau form? Models attribute the growth of the plateau to a consequence of the ongoing India-Asia continental collision, but differ in the details of how the crustal thickening was accommodated: was it by underplating of Indian lower crust or by homogeneous shortening? High-grade metamorphic rocks sampled from the region potentially hold the key to answering this question, as they contain a record of past tectonic events that can discriminate between the various proposed models. This record can be decoded by integrating field, thermobarometric and geochronological techniques, to elucidate a detailed thermotectonic understanding of a region. This methodology was applied to three case studies, each of which targeted rare tectonic windows into the mid-crust of the plateau. These regions comprise Danba in eastern Tibet, Basong Tso in south-eastern Tibet and the Western Nyainqentanglha in southern Tibet. Each case study documents previously unreported metamorphic events that have allowed original interpretations to be made regarding tectonic evolution: in Danba, all metamorphism is shown to be early Jurassic; in Basong Tso, two metamorphic belts are documented that reveal a late Triassic--early Jurassic orogenic event; and in the Western Nyainqengtanglha, Cretaceous--Neogene magmatism is shown to overprint late Triassic metamorphism. Integration of the results has enabled commentary on the large scale evolution of the Tibetan plateau from the Permian until the present day, and even hinted at its future. The results indicate that the closure of the Paleotethys played an important role in the construction of the Tibetan plateau, and suggest that homogeneous crustal thickening is not a viable model for the documented exposure levels.

Thèse (D.R.Min.) -- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 2005. / Bibliogr.: f. 368-390. Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Στην παρούσα διατριβή διερευνώνται οι διεργασίες που λαμβάνουν χώρα στο τυρφογενές στρώμα, έτσι ώστε να ανιχνευθούν οι μεταβολές των φυσικών, πετρογραφικών και χημικών χαρακτηριστικών των οργανικών ιζημάτων συναρτήσει των παραμέτρων τυρφογένεσης, όπως το κλίμα και οι τοπικές γεωλογικές συνθήκες. Απώτερο στόχο συνιστά η μοντελοποίηση παλαιοπεριβαλλόντων γένεσης των γαιανθράκων. Τέλος αξιολογείται η συμπεριφορά των ορυκτών, η γεωχημική συγγένεια και η κινητικότητα των ιχνοστοιχείων σε ενδεχόμενη αξιοποίηση της τύρφης για ενεργειακούς σκοπούς. Η έρευνα εστιάστηκε στους τυρφώνες Φιλίππων (Ν. Καβάλας) και Νησιού (Ν. Πέλλας) στη Βόρεια Ελλάδα και στον παράκτιο τυρφώνα του Κεριού (Ν. Ζακύνθου). Εξετάστηκαν τα ποιοτικά και ποσοτικά χαρακτηριστικά των οργανικών και ανοργάνων ιζημάτων που πληρούν τους τυρφώνες, αλλά και τα αντίστοιχα τυρφογενετικά φυτικά είδη, που αναπτύσσονται στους ενεργούς τυρφώνες Νησιού και Κεριού. Συγκεκριμένα πραγματοποιήθηκαν προσεγγιστική και στοιχειακή ανάλυση, ορυκτολογικοί προσδιορισμοί, εξέταση στιλπνών τομών με ηλεκτρονική μικροσκοπία σάρωσης, αναλύσεις τόσο της ανόργανης χημικής σύστασης (XRF, ICP/OES, ICP/MS), όσο και της οργανικής χημικής σύστασης (13C CP/MAS NMR, FTIR, py-GC/MS), όπως επίσης και ανθρακοπετρογραφικοί προσδιορισμοί. Αναφορικά με τους ορυκτολογικούς προσδιορισμούς εφαρμόστηκε μέθοδος πλήρους ποσοτικοποίησης των ορυκτών φάσεων με εφαρμογή περιθλασιμετρίας ακτίνων Χ σε ξηρό δείγμα, συνυπολογίζοντας την επίδραση του οργανικού υλικού. Αξιολογήθηκε επίσης η εφαρμογή περιθλασιμετρίας ακτίνων Χ σε υπολείμματα οξείδωσης της τύρφης. Οι τυρφώνες Φιλίππων και Νησιού συνιστούν παρόμοια περιβάλλοντα τυρφογένεσης, καθώς και οι δύο αναπτύσσονται σε ενδοηπειρωτικές λεκάνες, των οποίων η βύθιση ελέγχεται κυρίως από τεκτονικούς παράγοντες, με την ανάπτυξη παρόμοιων τυρφογενετικών φυτικών ειδών, όπως Cyperaceae και ειδικότερα το ασβεστόφιλο Cladium mariscus και διάφορα Carex spp., ενώ επηρεάζονται στη σύγχρονη εξέλιξή τους τουλάχιστον και οι δύο από καρστικούς υδροφόρους, συνιστώντας τοπογενείς ποωτυρφώνες, με κύριο μορφολογικό χαρακτηριστικό την παρουσία εξάρσεων (hummocks). Αντίθετα στο Κερί η τυρφογένεση αναπτύχθηκε σε παράκτιο περιβάλλον με τη βύθιση (δηλ. το πλημμύρισμα) να ελέγχεται τόσο από τεκτονικούς παράγοντες, όσο και από τις ευστατικές κινήσεις της θάλασσας, και το πεδίο χαρακτηρίζεται ως υφάλμυρος ποωτυρφώνας. Στο Κερί πέρα από ελόφυτα γλυκών νερών, αναπτύσσονται και είδη υφάλμυρων οικολογικών συνθηκών, όπως Scirpus maritimus και Juncus maritimus, λόγω της υφαλμύρινσης του υδροφόρου ορίζοντα. Με βάση τα χαρακτηριστικά τυρφογένεσης στους τρεις τυρφώνες τροποποιήθηκαν οι δείκτες φάσεων, που χρησιμοποιούνται στη γεωλογία γαιανθράκων, έτσι ώστε να αντανακλούν καλύτερα τις συγγενετικές διεργασίες στο ακρότελμα. Επιπρόσθετα περιγράφονται τόσο ποιοτικά, όσο και ποσοτικά τα χαρακτηριστικά των ιζημάτων στο τελματικό και το λιμνοτελματικό πεδίο, ενώ εκτιμάται επίσης και η πορεία της ενανθράκωσης των υπό μελέτη οργανογενών ιζημάτων, έτσι ώστε να εξαχθούν διαγνωστικές παράμετροι εφαρμογής στα παλαιοπεριβάλλοντα τυρφογένεσης. / The present study focuses on the processes taking place in the peatigenic layer (acrotelma), in order to trace the alteration of physical, chemical and petrographical features of the organic sediments in connection with the peat-forming factors. The ulterior aim is to propose a model for interpreting the coal-forming palaeoenvorinmental conditions. Finally, the mobility of the toxic trace elements is evaluated, in case of peat utilization for power generation in the future. Cores from the peatlands of Philippi (Prefecture of Kavala) and Nissi (Prefecture of Pella) in Northern Greece and of Keri (Zakynthos Island) in Southern Greece, were examined. The objective was to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the organogenic sediments hosted in the peatlands and additionally, of the peat-forming plants that grow on the surface of the Nissi and Keri mires. A series of laboratory examinations were performed on the collected samples, including proximate and ultimate analyses, mineralogical determinations by applying X-ray diffraction and SEM, inorganic geochemical analyses using XRF, ICP-OES and ICP-MS, organic geochemical analyses using 13C CP/MAS NMR, FTIR and py-GC/MS techniques and organic petrographical examinations on intact samples. Regarding the mineralogical determinations a method for full quantification of the mineral phases has been developed taking into account the pattern of the organic phases. Additionally the application of X-ray diffraction in oxidized peat residues has been evaluated. The Philippi and Nissi peatlands comprise similar peat-forming environments, since: (a) both developed in intermontane basins, the subsidence of which is controlled mainly by the tectonic activity, (b) Cyperaceae, mainly Cladium mariscus and various Carex spp., constitutes the main peat-forming plants, (c) whereas both are affected by karstic waters. They are fens for most of the peat accumulation period. On the contrary, in Keri the peat accumulation developed in a coastal environment due to paludification controlled both by the tectonic activity and the eustatic sea level changes, and the environment is characterized as a brackish mire, where additionally Scirpus maritimus και Juncus maritimus thrive. Taking in consideration the peat-forming features in the three studied peatlands the coal facies indices were modified in order to reflect more precisely the syngenetic processes in the acrotelma. Additionally a model is provided that describes both qualitatively and quantitatively the characteristics of the organogenic sediments deposited in the telmatic and the limnotelmatic fields. Furthermore, the coalification pathways of the studied sediments are interpreted, in order to obtain diagnostic parameters that can be applied to coal palaeoenvironmental studies.