Oxidative weathering deterioration of black shale and its bedding shear failure modeling

Author(s):  
Chunwei Sun ◽  
Marc-Henri Derron ◽  
Michel Jaboyedoff ◽  
Xiyong Wu

<p>This work investigated the oxidative weathering deterioration of black shale along a bedding slip zone and how it affects the bedding shear failure in the Xujiaping landslide, southern Sichuan Province in China. Many dissolved pits were found on the limestone, and part of the black shale in the slip zone is mud-like and clastic, showing local shear failure, which can be one of the main reasons of slope instabiliy. The microstructure of black shale under oxidative weathering condition was observed by scaning electron microscopy (SEM), characterized by dissolved pores, weathering crust (iron sulfate) of pyrite crystals, and the filling gypsum crystal in the bedding foliation. The deterioration mechanism was expanded: (i) rock-forming and carbonate minerals were especially prone to dissolution by sulfuric acid from black shale oxidation in the slip zone, and (ii) volume expansion due to the crystallization force of precipitated minerals caused further fracture expansion and deformation. Therefore, two theoretical models were developed that use stoichiometric calculations of pyrite and calcite to determine the dissolution rate and the rock structure after chemical weathering; and establish a rock structure model characterized by foliation weakening of gypsum crystallization. In order to analyze the landslide failure, discrete element method (DEM) is used to analyze the black shale shear failure mechanism of the two degradation models after oxidative weathering. It will be useful to better understand how these oxidative weathering deterioration contribute to bedding shear failure in natural hazards.</p>

CATENA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 105139
Author(s):  
Chunwei Sun ◽  
Sixiang Ling ◽  
Xiyong Wu ◽  
Xiaoning Li ◽  
Jiannan Chen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunwei Sun ◽  
Marc-Henri Derron ◽  
Michel Jaboyedoff ◽  
Sixiang Ling

<p>The water-rock chemical interaction of black shale interbedded with limestone along the bedding slip zone and its deterioration to the surrounding rock mass in Xujiaping rockslide is studied. As an important rock-forming mineral in black shale, pyrite is known for being easily oxidized to produce sulfuric acid in water, and sulfuric acid is a significant factor that leads to the dissolution of minerals. Significant number of erosion pits on the limestone were found and many geochemical phenomenon such as extremely low pH fissure water and the secondary mineral phases were investigated. Rock and water samples from this site were analyzed to determine mineralogy, chemical composition and hydrochemistry. The results indicate that many major elements and heavy elements are dissolved, such as Fe, Mn, Si, Zn, Ni, Al, S, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Co and Sr, because of the strong dissolution ability of acid water from black shale.The acid water migrates along the slip zone to exposed surface of cliff and fractures, where it evaporates to form the secondary mineral phases including melanterite, rozenite, szomolnokite, and gypsum etc. The water-rock chemical interaction in Xujiaping rockslide is a combination of dissolution, oxidation, dehydration, and neutralization reactions. Besides, the deterioration mechanism is expanded on two aspects: (1) rock-forming minerals, carbonate minerals especially are prone to be dissolved by sulfuric acid from oxidation of black shale in the slip zone; (2) the crystallization volume expansion of minerals precipitated, which leads to the further expansion and deformation of fractures.</p>


Author(s):  
И.А. Богуш ◽  
Г.В. Рябов ◽  
В.И. Черкашин ◽  
Н.А. Исаева

Объектами исследования являются терригенные породы, входящие в состав Тоханского комплекса (Тоханский покров), расположенные в пределах Передового хребта Северного Кавказа и прослеженные на протяжении более 200 километров. Тоханский комплекс сложен пелитоморфными углеродсодержащими отложениями (черными сланцами) с подчиненными проявлениями вулканогенных, глинистокремнистых, глинистокарбонатных и псаммитовых пород, испытал зеленокаменный метаморфизм. Целью работы был анализ геохимических особенностей углеродсодержащей черносланцевой герцинской толщи Северного Кавказа. Специфическим для черных сланцев является комплекс элементов, типоморфных для ультрамафитовых пород: хром, кобальт, никель, титан, марганец, ванадий, фосфор. Халькофильные элементы гидротермалитов в черных сланцах, такие как медь, цинк, свинец, содержатся обычно в небольших количествах, но локально, в флюидоактивных зонах тектонических нарушений, их содержание резко возрастает. Группа элементов, типоморфных спутников золота мышьяк, висмут, сурьма, в неизмененных сланцах проявлена слабо, концентрируясь в участках наложенной гидротермальной проработки. Установлена значительная возмущающая роль магния в сланцах. Все это говорит о своеобразии черносланцевых отложений и значительном влиянии ультраосновного материала на их петрохимические особенности. Петрохимические модули указывают на установленную невысокую проявленность процессов механической дифференциации, низкую степень вклада процессов химического выветривания и низкий уровень показателя зрелости материала пород области сноса при формировании основной массы отложений. Площадное и точечное опробование черных сланцев на благородные металлы показало повсеместное присутствие золота, платины и палладия в аномальном количестве в сумме трех металлов не менее 1 г/т. Изложенный материал впервые однозначно указывает на ультрабазиты в качестве единого первичного источника благородных металлов в черносланцевом комплексе. Показано, что благородные металлы (Au, Pt, Pd) сингенетичны вмещающим осадочным терригенным толщам и отлагаются в процессе седиментогенеза. Анализ рудоносности черных сланцев Кавказа и установление древнейшего источника благородных металлов стали отправным пунктом для создания авторами металлометрической геологогенетической модели благородных металлов Северного Кавказа, охватывающей весь фанерозойский этап его развития. Черносланцевая зона Северного Кавказа может рассматриваться как новая перспективная провинция благородных металлов Au, Pt, Pd. The objects of the study are terrigenous rocks that are part of the Tokhan complex (Tokhan cover), located within the Advanced ridge of the North Caucasus and traced for more than 200 kilometers. The Tokhan complex is composed of pelitomorphic carbonaceous sediments (black shales) with subordinate manifestations of volcanogenic, claysiliceous, claycarbonate and psammitic rocks, has experienced greenstone metamorphism. The aim of the work was to analyze the geochemical features of the carbonaceous black shale Hercynian strata of the North Caucasus. Specific for black shale is a complex of elements typomorphic to ultramafic rocks: chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, manganese, vanadium, phosphorus. Chalcophilic elements of hydrothermalites in black shales, such as copper, zinc, lead, are usually contained in small quantities, but locally, in fluidactive zones of tectonic disturbances, their content increases sharply. A group of elements, typomorphic satellites of gold arsenic, bismuth, antimony, in unmodified shales is weakly manifested, concentrating in the areas of superimposed hydrothermal development. A significant perturbing role of magnesium in shale has been established. All this indicates the originality of black shale deposits and the significant influence of ultrabasic material on their petrochemical characteristics. Petrochemical modules indicate the established low manifestation of mechanical differentiation processes, a low degree of contribution of chemical weathering processes and a low level of maturity of the material in the drift area during the formation of the bulk of the deposits. Areal and point testing of black shale for noble metals showed the ubiquitous presence of gold, platinum and palladium in abnormal amounts in the sum of three metalsnot less than 1 g / t.The presented material for the first time clearly indicates ultrabasites as a single primary source of precious metals in the black shale complex. It is shown that noble metals (Au, Pt, Pd) are syngenetic to the host sedimentary terrigenous strata and are deposited during sedimentogenesis. Analysis of the orebearing black shales of the Caucasus and the establishment of the oldest source of precious metals became the starting point for the creation of the authors metallogenically geologicalgenetic models of noble metals in the North Caucasus spanning the entire Phanerozoic stage of its development. The black shale zone of the North Caucasus can be considered as a new promising province of precious metalsAu, Pt, Pd.


Author(s):  
Yufang Tan ◽  
Lihui Li ◽  
Xiaolong Deng ◽  
Beixiu Huang

The mineralogy and chemistry of tuff rocks are variable and heterogeneous due to volcanic activity and hydrothermal alteration, in addition to weathering, which makes it difficult to explain the deterioration mechanisms of the weathered rocks based merely on mineralogical and chemical parameters. Studies of tuff weathering indicate that subtle weathering can modify pore structure and subsequently affect the rock mechanical behavior, suggesting that quantitative pore structure parameters are important indicators of the tuff deterioration mechanism. We identified the pore size distribution of pore bodies and pore throats of both slightly weathered tuffs and fresh tuffs using nuclear magnetic resonance technique and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Meso-level uniaxial compression tests were conducted on the tuff samples under a stereomicroscope using MTI-LMs (miniature tensile instrument-light microscopes) to obtain information regarding crack propagation and the deformation process. A comparison of pore properties of slightly weathered tuffs and fresh tuffs indicates that the introduction of additional mesopores (10–50 nm) and pore throat expansion occurs during weathering. The result of mechanical experiments reveal that alteration of the pore structure influences the tuff failure mode. Slightly weathered tuffs show shear failure as cracks initiate in the altered minerals or matrix, while the fresh tuffs exhibit tensile failure as cracks initiate in the intact and fresh minerals and matrix. Based on the results presented here, it is considerable to regard tuff pore properties as potential indicators of the micro-mechanism of substantial macro-deterioration due to weathering.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1416
Author(s):  
Esmat Abou El-Anwar ◽  
Salman Salman ◽  
Doaa Mousa ◽  
Sami Aita ◽  
Walid Makled ◽  
...  

This study evaluates the palynologic, organic, inorganic, and petrographic properties of organic-rich black shale (Mahamid Mine) in the El Sebaiya area, Nile Valley, Egypt. Black shale is composed of quartz (50%), calcite (10%), kaolinite (25%) and montmorillonite (15%). Organic and inorganic analyses revealed that this shale was deposited under oxic to anoxic marine conditions during strong chemical weathering. Black shale has poor to very good organic richness, and poor to fair hydrocarbon potential. Organic petrography indicates that the kerogen is mixed types II/III and III and is immature to marginally mature (%VRo is 0.44 and 0.53). Liptinite macerals consist of alginite, cutinite, and bituminite. The hydrocarbon products to be generated at higher maturity are expected to be oil and gas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-211
Author(s):  
Xi-Zhun Zhuo ◽  
Bin-Xue Niu ◽  
Yi-Wen Ju ◽  
Lin-Yan Zhang ◽  
Qing-Huan Yan ◽  
...  

Understanding the controls on composition changes and porosity evolution in the critical zone of shale remains a major challenge. The aim of the present study is to develop a model of the changes in mineral compositions, chemical compositions and nanopore formation in shale during the initial weathering stage. To understand these processes, we selected a Silurian shale profile rich in pyrite and organic matter located in South China. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and bulk elemental data, the variations in mineralogical and chemical compositions with depth were studied. To characterize the full pore size spectrum and to gain insight into the nature of secondary pores and their relationship with weathering, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and petrographic observations were combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The results show that Al and K are enriched slightly, while Ca and Na are depleted in the upper part of the weathering profile. Si, Mn and Ti are relatively stable from the bottom to the top of the profile. Quartz, feldspar, mica, illite and chlorite are the main minerals in the parent rock, and they are relatively stable along the profile. The rock density gradually decreases from 2.6 g/cm3 to 2.1 g/cm3 from the bottom to the top, and the color of the shales changes from black to grayish yellow, but no secondary minerals are detected. The chemical weathering of black shale is dominated by the oxidation of pyrite and organic matter, giving rise to color variation and nanopore formation. The increase in interparticle pores at the nanometer-micron scale is initiated by the dissolution of easily weathered components such as organic matter and pyrite. The removal of clay minerals and tiny particles by groundwater seepage may be the main cause of porosity enhancement during the initial weathering stage. This study suggests that nanoporosity may play an important role in the process of fluid-rock interaction within black shale during the initial weathering stage.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sixiang Ling ◽  
Xiyong Wu ◽  
Siyuan Zhao ◽  
Xin Liao ◽  
Yong Ren ◽  
...  

An understanding of the processes that control the behavior of major elements with respect to weathering profile is essential to calculate the mobility, redistribution, and mass fluxes of elements. Hence, this study aims to determine the geochemical mass balance, strain, elemental correlation, and transport in weathering profiles. We constructed three weathering profiles for the black shale of Shujingtuo formation. As per the principal component analysis of major elements, density, and pH values, the first component represents the “elemental factor” and the second denotes the “external factor.” The “depletion” pattern is a mass transportation pattern, and Na, K, and Mg are depleted along transect relative to the composition of fresh rock. Fe is redeposited at the bottom half of the saprock zone, whereas Al is accumulated at the regolith zone. The Fe and Al patterns are attributed to the “depletion–addition” and “addition” patterns, respectively. The strain in profiles A and B demonstrates the expansion at the regolith zone and part of the saprock zone. In profile C, however, these zones collapsed at all depths. In chemical weathering, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Si are depleted in the following order: valley (C) > near mountaintop (B) > ridge (A).


2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice L. Bishop ◽  
M. Darby Dyar ◽  
Melissa D. Lane ◽  
Jillian F. Banfield

We interpret recent spectral data of Mars collected by the Mars Exploration Rovers to contain substantial evidence of sulfate minerals and aqueous processes. We present visible/near-infrared (VNIR), mid-IR and Mössbauer spectra of several iron sulfate minerals and two acid mine drainage (AMD) samples collected from the Iron Mountain site and compare these combined data with the recent spectra of Mars. We suggest that the sulfates on Mars are produced via aqueous oxidation of sulfides known to be present on Mars from Martian meteorites. The sulfate-rich rock outcrops observed in Meridiani Planum may have formed in an acidic environment similar to AMD environments on Earth. Because microorganisms are typically involved in the oxidation of sulfides to sulfates in terrestrial AMD sites, sulfate-rich rock outcrops on Mars may be a good location to search for evidence of life on that planet. Whether or not life evolved on Mars, following the trail of sulfate minerals is likely to lead to aqueous processes and chemical weathering. Our results imply that sulfate minerals formed in Martian soils via chemical weathering, perhaps over very long time periods, and that sulfate minerals precipitated following aqueous oxidation of sulfides to form the outcrop rocks at Meridiani Planum.


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