Geomechanical characterization of lateritic hardpans from Bamendjou (West-Cameroon)

This study reports on the physical, mechanical, mineralogical and geochemical analysis carried out on four lateritic hardpan specimens from quarries in the Bamendjou area in the Western Region of Cameroon using common prescribed procedures. The results indicate that values of the bulk density, specific gravity, total and open porosities are very variable from one specimen to another. Meanwhile, the value of the compressive strengths of both the dry and immersed specimens were also very variable from one specimen to another, with the F2 and F1 specimens having higher values than the A1 and A2 specimens. All the specimens immersed in water recorded lower compressive strengths than the dry specimens. The flexural strengths also varied from one sample to another, with the F2 specimen having the highest resistance. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that the major peaks were assigned to gibbsite, goethite, and hematite, while the minor peaks were assigned to kaolinite and anatase. The mineralogy and geochemistry influenced the physical and mechanical properties, with the iron rich specimens having higher values in both the physical and mechanical properties than the alumina rich specimens. The results of the compressive strengths obtained were higher than (1–4) MPa obtained in Burkina Faso and India where they have been using latertic blocks for construction. Thus the hardpans of Bamendjou can also be exploited for building purposes conveniently.

Supplemental Material: Ordovician–Silurian back-arc silicic magmatism in the southernmost Appalachians

Sample Preparation and Geochemical Analysis Methodology; Table S1: Major oxide percentages for metaigneous rocks of the Wedowee-Emuckfaw-Dahlonega basin; Table S2: Measured isotope ratios and normalized U-Pb ages calculated without 204Pb Correction; Table S3: Lu-Hf isotope analyses; Table S4: Latitude-longitude (WGS84), geologic unit, and age information for samples analyzed as part of this project.

Geochemical Evaluation of Formation Water, Mauddud Reservoir, Khabbaz Oilfield, Kirkuk Area, Northern Iraq

In this study, formation-water samples were collected by NOC Staff, during drilling time, from the Mauddud Formation reservoir of the Khabbaz Oilfield, for this reason four samples from four wells; Kz-3, Kz-4, Kz-7, and Kz-23 were selected to geochemical analysis. Analyzed geochemical parameters include TDS and the concentrations of the different dissolved cations and anions present in brines (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+1, SO4-2, Cl-1, HCO3-1, and NaCl). Variations among the resulted data are discussed by comparison with other Cretaceous Brines. Geochemical ratios of Na/Cl, (Na-Cl)/SO4) and (Cl-Na)/Mg+2 was calculated for formation water classification following Bojarski, (1970). The calculated geochemical ratios of the studied samples in the studied four wells indicate that all of these waters are "chloride calcium" type under subsurface conditions, this type reflect closed system isolated associations reservoir, which are becoming high hydrostatic in deeper zones without influence by infiltration waters. A major transversal fault cutting the structure at its SE plunge had participated in the dilution of the Mauddud reservoir brine effectively.

Supplemental Material: Ordovician–Silurian back-arc silicic magmatism in the southernmost Appalachians

Sample Preparation and Geochemical Analysis Methodology; Table S1: Major oxide percentages for metaigneous rocks of the Wedowee-Emuckfaw-Dahlonega basin; Table S2: Measured isotope ratios and normalized U-Pb ages calculated without 204Pb Correction; Table S3: Lu-Hf isotope analyses; Table S4: Latitude-longitude (WGS84), geologic unit, and age information for samples analyzed as part of this project.