In order to better understand the relationship of tidally dominated depositional environments and their palynological assemblages, the Middle Jurassic sediments of the Lajas Formation, Neuquén Basin were examined. The ambition was to present models and trends which can be used for studies of other such deposits. In order to integrate the palynoassemblages with the environment of deposition, additional granulometric data and nutrient data from XRF analysis were used in combination with the palynology. A new method using correspondence analysis was used for understanding the palaeoecology and floral dynamics. An updated, dynamic model for the Middle Jurassic floral palaeoecology of the Neuquén Basin has been presented and the drivers of floral succession are interpreted as disturbance tolerance and substrate water content. Taphonomic expressions of seral groupings show that later seral stage community palynomorphs are preferentially deposited within or close to distributary systems, whereas earlier seral stage palynomorphs are preferentially deposited in environments of greater accommodation space, such as bayfills. Taphonomic signatures, using palaeoecological groupings provide trends in low (4th/5th) order cycles and lateral variations relating to tidal channels and surrounding bayfill mudstones. A model for 4th/5th order boundaries is also presented using new interpretations of the distribution of pinaceous pollen and microforaminiferal test linings. Using Canonical Correspondence Ananlysis (CCA), a model is presented of depositional environments incorporating palynological data and granulometric proxies for grain size and grain sorting. The relationship between sediment processes in a tidal flat dominated palaeoenvironment and the hydrodynamic properties of some palynomorphs is investigated and presented. The weathering and nutrient status of the substrates throughout the Lajas Formation is presented using XRF proxy data. The proxies are also used with CCA to create nutrient related floral groupings. When plotted stratigraphically, these show cycles of eutrophication and subsequent weathering of the substrates.

No description available.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy / This thesis provides a comprehensive account of the geology of the Archaean granitoid-greenstone terrane centred around Three Sisters in the northeastern sector of the Barberton Mountain Land. The supracrustal succession in the region comprises a diverse variety of altered volcanic and sedimentary rock types that have been correlated with the principal lithostratigraphic units of the Barberton greenstone belt (BGB) as fellows: 1) schistose basic and ultrabasic lithologies correlated with the Theespruit Formation of the Gnverwacht Group are mainly developed in a narrow unit fringing the northern margin of the BGB; 2) ferruginous shale greywacke - banded iron-formation assemblages correlated with the Jheba and Belvue Road Formations constitute the dominant Fig Tree Group imks in the region. A sec «ence or silicic » .-stavolcaniclastic rocks, now altered to a variety of micaceous schists, occurs west, north ar.a northeast of Three Sisters. Viljoen and Viljoen (1970) cc rrela ted these schists ith the Theespruit Formation. In this study, the schists have been assigned'to a new lithostratigraphic unit, referred to as the Bien Venue Formation, which forms the uppermost formation of the Fig Tree Group in the northeastern part of the BGB. Isotopic studies on zircons indicate that the schists have an age of 3256 ± Ma, which is some 200 Ma younger titan the most recent age estimates for the lower portions of the Gnverwacht Group. Chemically, the silicic schists resemble calc-alkaline rocks found in modem arcs, suggesting that the Bien Venue Formation represents a period of arc-like volcanism; and 3) conglomeratic and quartzitic rocks constitute the dominant lithologies within the Moodies Group, which uncoriorroably or paraconformably overlies lithologies of the Fig Tree and Onverwacht Groups. North of the BGB is a complex suite of granitoid rocks, previously investigated by Robb et al. (1983) who defined a large (—60 kn ng and —6 km wide), elongate plutonic body of tonalitic-to-trondhjemitic composition known as the Stentor pluton. It was suggested that this pluton is correlatable with the irondhjemite gneiss plutons that intrude the southwestern parts of the BGB. Field evidence indicates, however, that the Stentor pluton forms a much smaller (* .14 km long and ~ 4 km wide) ovoid body located immediately north of the village of Louw’s Creek. Furthermore, the pluton consists of equigranular-textured graiodiorite-adamcllite, totally unlike any of the trondhjemite gneisses. In terms of texture, mineralogy and chemical composition, the Stentor pluton closely resembles the Hebron and Berlin plutohs which constitute a phase of the Nelspruit batholith. Thus, it is concluded that the Stentor pluton also forms an integral part of the batholith. Three deformation phases have been identified. The regional event affected all stratigraphic units in response to a northerly oriented compressions! stress and gave rise to east-northeasterly trending, tight-.« 5soclinal, upright and north-verging folds that are bounded by southward-dipping longitudinal reverse faults. The regional deformation occurred both prior and subsequent to the emplacement of the Stentor pluton at circa 3100 Ma. Deformation associated with the diapiric intrusion of the Stentor pluton into the greenstone assemblage during the regional deformation pnase, led to the formation of large-scale folds that have modified earlier formed structures. The final deformation episode is manifested by the presence of nortnwest- to northeast-striking, oblique-slip normal faults that exhibit both left- and right-lateral strike-slip components. / AC 2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy / This thesis provides a comprehensive account of the geology of the Archaean granitoid-greenstone terrane centred around Three Sisters in the northeastern sector of the Barberton Mountain Land. The supracrustal succession in the region comprises a diverse variety of altered volcanic and sedimentary rock types that have been correlated with the principal lithostratigraphic units of the Barberton greenstone belt (BGB) as fellows: 1) schistose basic and ultrabasic lithologies correlated with the Theespruit Formation of the Gnverwacht Group are mainly developed in a narrow unit fringing the northern margin of the BGB; 2) ferruginous shale greywacke - banded iron-formation assemblages correlated with the Jheba and Belvue Road Formations constitute the dominant Fig Tree Group imks in the region. A sec «ence or silicic » .-stavolcaniclastic rocks, now altered to a variety of micaceous schists, occurs west, north ar.a northeast of Three Sisters. Viljoen and Viljoen (1970) cc rrela ted these schists ith the Theespruit Formation. In this study, the schists have been assigned'to a new lithostratigraphic unit, referred to as the Bien Venue Formation, which forms the uppermost formation of the Fig Tree Group in the northeastern part of the BGB. Isotopic studies on zircons indicate that the schists have an age of 3256 ± Ma, which is some 200 Ma younger titan the most recent age estimates for the lower portions of the Gnverwacht Group. Chemically, the silicic schists resemble calc-alkaline rocks found in modem arcs, suggesting that the Bien Venue Formation represents a period of arc-like volcanism; and 3) conglomeratic and quartzitic rocks constitute the dominant lithologies within the Moodies Group, which uncoriorroably or paraconformably overlies lithologies of the Fig Tree and Onverwacht Groups. North of the BGB is a complex suite of granitoid rocks, previously investigated by Robb et al. (1983) who defined a large (—60 kn ng and —6 km wide), elongate plutonic body of tonalitic-to-trondhjemitic composition known as the Stentor pluton. It was suggested that this pluton is correlatable with the irondhjemite gneiss plutons that intrude the southwestern parts of the BGB. Field evidence indicates, however, that the Stentor pluton forms a much smaller (* .14 km long and ~ 4 km wide) ovoid body located immediately north of the village of Louw’s Creek. Furthermore, the pluton consists of equigranular-textured graiodiorite-adamcllite, totally unlike any of the trondhjemite gneisses. In terms of texture, mineralogy and chemical composition, the Stentor pluton closely resembles the Hebron and Berlin plutohs which constitute a phase of the Nelspruit batholith. Thus, it is concluded that the Stentor pluton also forms an integral part of the batholith. Three deformation phases have been identified. The regional event affected all stratigraphic units in response to a northerly oriented compressions! stress and gave rise to east-northeasterly trending, tight-.« 5soclinal, upright and north-verging folds that are bounded by southward-dipping longitudinal reverse faults. The regional deformation occurred both prior and subsequent to the emplacement of the Stentor pluton at circa 3100 Ma. Deformation associated with the diapiric intrusion of the Stentor pluton into the greenstone assemblage during the regional deformation pnase, led to the formation of large-scale folds that have modified earlier formed structures. The final deformation episode is manifested by the presence of nortnwest- to northeast-striking, oblique-slip normal faults that exhibit both left- and right-lateral strike-slip components. / AC 2018

by Cheung May Shuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-165). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vi-ix / LIST OF PLATES --- p.x / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER I - --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Background of Quaternary Studies in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Necessity of Regional and Local Practice --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- The Need for Regional Synthesis --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Linking Onshore Studies with Offshore Ones --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- The Yuen Long Floodplain --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Previous Work --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- The Need for Detailed Study --- p.12 / Chapter 1.6 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.13 / Chapter 1.7 --- Significance of the Study --- p.14 / Chapter CHAPTER II - --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- The Quaternary Period --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3 --- Global Pleistocene Sea-level Reduction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- Evidence of Pleistocene Sea-level Reduction in South China and Hong Kong --- p.20 / Chapter 2.5 --- The Postglacial Rise in Sea-level --- p.22 / Chapter 2.6 --- Holocene Sea-level Movements in Zhujiang Delta and Hong Kong --- p.23 / Chapter 2.7 --- Hong Kong Quaternary Studies --- p.26 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- A Wealth of Offshore Studies --- p.26 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- A Lack of Onshore Studies --- p.27 / Chapter 2.8 --- Methods of Investigation --- p.28 / Chapter 2.9 --- Offshore Quaternary Sediments in Hong Kong --- p.30 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- The Chek Lap Kok Formation --- p.31 / Age of Formation --- p.32 / Seismic Characteristics --- p.33 / Lithology --- p.33 / Sedimentary Environment --- p.34 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- The Sham Wat Formation --- p.36 / Age of Formation --- p.36 / Seismic Characteristics --- p.37 / Lithology --- p.37 / Sedimentary Environment --- p.38 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- The Hang Hau Formation --- p.39 / Age of Formation --- p.39 / Seismic Characteristics --- p.40 / Lithology --- p.40 / Sedimentary Environment --- p.41 / Chapter 2.10 --- Summary of Hong Kong Quaternary Superficial Geology --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER III - --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Geographical Setting and Existing Development --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Relief --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4 --- Climate --- p.47 / Chapter 3.5 --- Surface Hydrology --- p.51 / Chapter 3.6 --- Geology --- p.51 / Chapter 3.7 --- Geomorphology --- p.53 / Chapter 3.8 --- Superficial Deposits --- p.55 / Chapter 3.9 --- The Hong Kong Geological Survey --- p.58 / Chapter 3.10 --- Location of Boreholes BGS 11 and 23 --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER IV - --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Borehole Collection --- p.61 / Chapter 4.3 --- Analytical Approach --- p.62 / Chapter 4.4 --- Laboratory Logging and Description --- p.64 / Chapter 4.5 --- Sedimentological Analysis --- p.65 / Chapter 4.6 --- Geochemical Analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 4.7 --- Micropalaeontological Analysis --- p.71 / Chapter 4.8 --- Chronological Analysis --- p.73 / Chapter 4.9 --- Stratigraphy and Borehole Comparison --- p.74 / Chapter CHAPTER V - --- BGS 11 - DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.75 / Chapter 5.2 --- Geological Description of Borehole BGS 11 --- p.76 / Chapter 5.3 --- Geochemical Results --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Soil Reaction pH --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Electrical Conductivity --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Organic Carbon --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Calcium Carbonates --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4 --- Micropalaeontological Results --- p.94 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Diatom Results --- p.94 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Sponge Spicules Results --- p.98 / Chapter 5.5 --- Radiocarbon Dating Results --- p.100 / Chapter 5.6 --- Environmental Interpretations --- p.101 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- The Terrestrial Sequence (20.70 to 8.10m) --- p.101 / The Colluvial Unit (20.70 to 16.50m) --- p.102 / The Floodplain Unit (16.50 to 8.10m) --- p.103 / The Palaeosol Unit (8.10 to 7.26m) --- p.107 / Chapter 5.6.2 --- The Shallow Marine Sequence (7.26 to 4.05m) --- p.108 / Chapter 5.6.3 --- The Coastal Swamp Sequence (4.05 to 2.35m) --- p.111 / Chapter 5.7 --- Conclusion --- p.113 / Chapter CHAPTER VI - --- BGS 23 - DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.114 / Chapter 6.2 --- Geological Description of Borehole BGS 23 --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3 --- Geochemical Results --- p.126 / Chapter 6.4 --- Micropalaeontological Results --- p.129 / Chapter 6.5 --- Environmental Interpretation --- p.129 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- The Weathered Shale Sequence (15.90 to 15.00m) --- p.130 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- The Fluvial Sequence (13.65 to 2.85m) --- p.131 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- The Backswamp Sequence (2.85 to 1.73m) --- p.135 / Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.137 / Chapter CHAPTER VII - --- STRATIGRAPHICAL INTERPRETATION AND COMPARISON / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.138 / Chapter 7.2 --- Stratigraphical Division in Hong Kong and the Zhujiang Delta --- p.138 / Chapter 7.3 --- Stratigraphical Interpretation of BGS 11 --- p.140 / Chapter 7.4 --- Stratigraphical Interpretation of BGS 23 --- p.142 / Chapter 7.5 --- Stratigraphic Comparison --- p.143 / Chapter 7.5.1 --- Comparison with Onshore Boreholes --- p.143 / Chapter 7.5.2 --- Comparison with Offshore Boreholes in Hong Kong and Zhujiang Delta --- p.147 / Chapter 7.6 --- Conclusion --- p.150 / Chapter CHAPTER VIII - --- SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION / Chapter 8.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.151 / Chapter 8.2 --- Limitations --- p.153 / Chapter 8.3 --- Future Work --- p.155 / REFERENCES --- p.157 / APPENDICES / APPENDIX A The complete logging sheets for BGS11 / APPENDIX B The complete logging sheets for BGS23

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, December 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies Department, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Includes other papers published by the author. Bibliography: p. 620-629.

Graduation date: 1953