Biostratigraphy and Facies Analysis of Upper Valanginian-Upper Hauterivian (Sarmord Formation) in Maten Anticline, Northern Iraq

Biostratigraphical and sedimentological study of the Sarmord Formation (Upper Valanginian - Upper Hauterivian) at the southern limb of Maten anticline is conducted within a well-exposed section. The formation is composed of marl, marly limestone, limestone, and dolostone, which yielded moderately diversified benthonic foraminiferal fauna, green algae, echinoderms, gastropods and some bioclast. The stratigraphic distribution of the benthonic species permits the recognition of two well-defined biozones. These are Everticyclammina kelleri Assemblage Zone, which represents the Late Valanginian age and Pseudocyclammina lituus Assemblage Zone, indicating Hauterivian age. These larger benthonic foraminiferal biozones are correlated with other zonal schemes inside and outside of Iraq, which indicates that the age of the Sarmord Formation in Maten anticline extends from Late Valanginian to Late Hauterivian age. The Sarmord Formation in the studied section is composed of limestone, dolomite, marl and conglomerate lithofacies types. Limestone lithofacies is represented by lime wackestone microfacies. According to the characteristic features of these facies, the depositional environments extend from tidal flat to shallow open marine environments.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Fatha Formation in Shaqlawa Area, Northern Iraq

A surface section of the Fatha Formation (Middle Miocene) was studied in the Shaqlawa area, Erbil, Northern Iraq. It consists of siliciclastic silt, evaporates, and carbonates in a mixed siliciclastic silt composition. The Fatha Formation in the study area can be divided into two members of variable thickness based on rocky differences. Depositional settings ranged from shallow open-marine and restricted-hypersaline to supratidal and continental (sabkha, fluvio-deltaic, and exposure). It is bounded below by a type one sequence boundary above the Eocene Pila Spi Formation and marked by conglomerates. The upper sequence boundary with the Injana Formation is conformable. Thirteen sedimentary facies were distinguished in the Fatha Formation within the Shaqlawa region of northern Iraq and include sandstone to mudstone, wavy bedded sandstone to mudstone, Flaser bedded sandstone to mudstone, Marl, sandstone, cross lamination sandstone, Trough cross bedded sandstone, Planar cross bedded sandstone, marly limestone lithofacies, bioclastic grainstone to packstone microfacies, bioclastic lime mudstone to wackestone microfacies, lime mudstone-wackestone microfacies, and gypsum lithofacies. The depositional environment of the formation was inferred based on the facies association concepts. The succession formation can be divided into several third-order cycles, which reflect fluctuations in the relative sea-level rise. High-frequency cycles of transgressive System Tract and Highstand System tract. Fundamental to the evolution of the sequence, in this case, is the local tectonic component.

Characterization of Natural Stone from the Archaeological Site of Pella, Macedonia, Northern Greece

The goal of the study was to characterize the limestone that was used extensively in the ancient city of Pella (Macedonia, Greece), the birthplace of Alexander the Great. An on-site examination of the building material was carried out to record the types of damage and to select sampling areas. A variation in the nature of the stone and the degree of deterioration, even between the stones that comprise a specific monument structure, was observed, with water absorption and biological colonization being the main factors resulting in the deterioration of the stone. A comprehensive microanalysis and testing scheme was conducted to fully characterize the mineralogical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of the stones collected from various areas of the archaeological site. Optical microscopy, XRD and SEM–EDX were used to investigate the chemical composition and the structure of the stone samples. Finally, other properties, such as porosity, specific gravity and water absorption, were measured. Surface alterations, material degradation and biological deterioration were observed in most samples. The results obtained using XRD showed that the dominant mineral phase of the limestone is calcite, with quartz and clay minerals also detected in traces. The microscopic examination of the samples showed that the main natural stone at the archaeological site is a marly limestone. Thermographical measurements showed that the decay of the stones due to ambient temperature variation and corresponding contraction/expansion phenomena may be relatively limited, as the stone exhibited a low thermal diffusivity. Moreover, high porosity values (12.06–21.09%) and low compressive strength (11.3–27.7 MPa) were recorded, indicating the vulnerability of the stone and the need to take conservation measures.

Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Uppermost Cretaceous Period, Duhok Area, Kurdistan Region, North of Iraq

A relatively complete Late Maastrichtian succession of the upper part of the Shiranish Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in the Duhok area is investigated for the planktic foraminiferal assemblages. This studied interval consists mainly of bluish shale, marl, and thin beds of hard marly limestone all with grey-blue color. The upper contact of the Shiranish Formation is conformable with the overlies Danian Aaliji Formation. Based on the recorded planktic foraminifera and their ranges, the studied succession is subdivided into three main biozones of the latest Maastrichtian age, these zones are Pseudoguembelina hariaensis (CF3) Interval Zone, Pseudoguembelina palpebra (CF2) Interval Zone, and Plummerita hantkeninoides (CF1) Total Range Zone. These zones show continuous and complete Upper Cretaceous sediments, which are preserved in the Bade section of the Duhok area

Redesign Geometri Lereng Penambangan Batugamping Kuari C di PT X Kecamatan Palimanan Kabupaten Cirebon Provinsi Jawa Barat

PT X is a cement producer which has a limestone mine in Palimanan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java Province. In the Quarry C limestone mining area there has been an landslide that has resulted in the inoperation of mining activities in the area. This research was conducted on the slopes of the Quarry C mine which had experienced a landslide. This study aims to determine the causes of landslides that occur, determine the value of cohesion, deep friction angles and safety factors when landslides occur, and recommend safe slope geometry with the input parameters results of back analysis. In this study, to determine the type of avalanche that occurs is done with stereographic projections that refer to the criteria of the landslide Hoek and Bray, 1981. Data taken in the form of strike and discontinuous dip fields using a geological compass. The initial parameter input uses physical property test data to obtain the value of natural density and mechanical properties testing, namely the shear strength test to obtain the value of cohesion and deep friction angle, as well as the compressive strength test to get the modulus young and poisson ratio values. To find out the value of cohesion, the friction angle in the safety factor during a landslide is performed back analysis using the probability method. Based on the results of data processing and data analysis conducted, it can be concluded that the landslides that occurred in section C1 to section C3 were in the form of arc slides. The results of back analysis of landslides in sections C1 through section C3 are in the form of cohesion and friction angle during landslides, namely for claystone lithology (c = 129.3 kPa, Ø = 25.04o) and for Marly Limestone lithology (c = 80.17 kPa, Ø = 11.23o). For the recommended slope geometry in section C1 is α = 8 o, H = 37.265 m with FK = 1,299 and section C2 is α = 10 o, H = 44.712 m with FK = 1,313. Abstrak. PT X adalah salah satu produsen semen yang mempunyai tambang batugamping di Kecamatan Palimanan, Kabupaten Cirebon, Provinsi Jawa Barat. Pada area penambangan batugamping Kuari C telah terjadi longsoran yang mengakibatkan tidak bisa beroperasinya kegiatan penambangan di area tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penyebab kelongsoran yang terjadi, mengetahui nilai kohesi, sudut gesek dalam dan faktor keamanan saat terjadi longsor, serta merekomendasikan geometri lereng yang aman dengan input parameter hasil analisis balik. Pada penelitian ini, untuk mengetahui jenis longsoran yang terjadi dilakukan dengan proyeksi stereografi yang mengacu pada kriteria longsoran Hoek and Bray, 1981. Data yang diambil berupa strike dan dip bidang diskontinu menggunakan kompas geologi. Input parameter awal menggunakan data hasil pengujian sifat fisik untuk mendapatkan nilai natural density dan pengujian sifat mekanik yaitu uji kuat geser untuk mendapatkan nilai kohesi dan sudut gesek dalam, serta uji kuat tekan untuk mendapatkan nilai modulus young dan poisson ratio. Untuk mengetahui nilai kohesi, sudut gesek dalam faktor keamanan saat terjadi longsor dilakukan analisis balik dengan metode probabilitas. Berdasarkan hasil pengolahan data dan analisis data yang dilakukan, dapat disimpulkan bahwa longsoran yang terjadi pada section C1 sampai dengan section C3 berupa longsoran busur. Hasil analisis balik kelongsoran di section C1 sampai dengan section C3 berupa nilai kohesi dan sudut gesek dalam saat terjadi longsor, yaitu untuk litologi claystone (c = 129.3 kPa, Ø = 25.04o) dan untuk litologi Marly Limestone (c = 80.17 kPa, Ø = 11.23o). Untuk geometri lereng yang direkomendasikan pada section C1 adalah α = 8 o, H = 37.265 m dengan FK = 1,299 dan section C2 adalah α = 10 o, H = 44.712 m dengan FK = 1,313.

Stratigraphic And Microfacies Study Of Upper Campanian - Lower Maastrichtian Succession (Shiranish Formation) In Bade Village, Bekhere Anticline, Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq

The Upper Cretaceous Shiranish Formation outcropped close to Bade village and Bekhere anticline, Kurdistan region at northern Iraq and consists of alternating mixed tough grey limestone, marly limestone, marl beds interpreted as a middle - outer shelf – upper bathyal environments (basinal) depositional environment. Fifteen thin sections were studied under a polarized microscope to find out the petrographic component, fauna content, and for microfacies analysis. The major petrographic constituents are fossils, bioclastic grains, micrite matrix, and extraclast (quartz grains). Planktic foraminifera and nannofossils are the major particles within wackestone and packstone microfacies types. The planktonic foraminifera biozones from previous study (such as Globotruncana aegyptiaca, Gansserina gansseri, Racemiguembelina fructicosa, Plummerita hantkeninoides) and the recorded calcareous nannofossils biozones of Broinsonia parca, Reinhardtites levis, Arkhangelskiella cymbiformis, suggest a late Campanian to late Maastrichtian age.

An unknown hotspot of plant diversity in the heart of the Central Apennine: flora and vegetation outline of Mt. Pozzoni-St. Rufo valley (Cittareale, Rieti)

Surprisingly enough, Italy still has some botanically unexplored areas; among these there are some territories between Lazio, Umbria and Abruzzo not included in any protected area. The study area, ranging for 340 ha, includes the mountainous area of Mt. Pozzoni-Mt. Prato-St. Rufo valley, which forms the upper part of the river Velino basin, located in the territory of the municipality of Cittareale (Rieti, Lazio), at an elevation from 1150 to 1903 m a.s.l. The substrate is mainly made of marly limestone of the Meso-Cenozoic Umbria-Marche sedimentary succession. The climate is Temperate and comprises vegetation belts from the montane to sub-alpine. Land cover is dominated by pastures and deciduous forests, with only a few hay meadows. 794 entities have been detected: 16% are considered rare or very rare for the regional territory with several floristic novelties for the regional flora, 6% of the total was found to be endemic to Italy and only eight taxa were aliens. Four taxa are new for the regional flora of Lazio: Arum cylindraceum, Alopecurus pratensis subsp. pratensis, Hieracium bupleuroides and Trinia glauca subsp. glauca. Forest vegetation is represented by beech forests, while dry grasslands are the most widespread vegetation type. The greatest phytocoenotic diversity was found within the secondary pastures. Particularly interesting is the plant community with Iris marsica, which suggests that limestone mountain ledges can represent a primary habitat for this endemic species of the Central Apennine. The presence of several habitats listed in the EU Habitat Directive indicates how the lack of detailed territorial knowledge can lead to the non-designation of conservation sites in areas of high naturalistic value. These findings showed that botanical explorations in territories which are still not known could contribute significantly to the identification of areas of high interest in conserving plant diversity.

Miocene Rocks Around the Marádah Oasis, Central Sirt Basin, Libya: Facies Development and Implication on Stratigraphy

The Miocene rocks of the Marádah Formation have been stratigraphically investigated from four stratigraphical sections around the Marádah Oasis in the Central Sirt Basin of Libya. The field investigations led to the identification of two members, the lower Qarat Jahannam Member and the upper Ar Ráhlah Member. Fourteen sedimentary facies at the outcrop-scale representing a gradual development of sedimentation from a continental clastic witness in the southwestern outcrops to transitional estuarine, lagoonal, and beaches to the proximal offshore in the northern outcrops, were recognized. The results indicates that the accumulation of the Marádah Formation is transgressive in nature and corresponding to two phases of deposition which have been mentioned in the earlier studies. The first phase is continental-dominated facies in which cross-bedded sandstones and calcareous sands comprise most of the depositional sequence of the lower Qarat Jahannam Member at the southwestern outcrops. This phase, however, is characterized by extremely bioturbated laminated-shale conquered by Skolithos ichnofacies in the lower part of the upper Ar Ráhlah Member at the northern outcrops. This phase is providing further evidence that the contact between the two members is diachronous everywhere in the study area. The clastic-phase has thought to be deposited in the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian-Burdigalian) since the lower Qarat Jahannam Member rests on an erosional surface of submarine origin in the southwestern outcrops above a 0.5 m. thick of a nummulitic unit of the Oligocene Bu Hashish Formation. The second phase is marine-dominated facies in which a bioclastic limestone unit rich in thick and disarticulated oysters, including Crassostrea gryphoides (Schlottheim), characterizes the sediments of the Ar Ráhlah Member at the southwestern outcrops. This phase also includes the upper part of the latter member at the northern outcrops in which a detrital limestone unit rich in turritelline gastropods is overlying by thick-bedded calcarenites rich in disarticulated oysters, gastropods, irregular echinoids (notably, Clypeaster and Echinolampas), bryozoans, and celestite corals. The upper part of the Ar Ráhlah Member at the northern outcrops, nevertheless, is terminated by a quite hard dolomitic limestone and by a pretty soft dolomitic marly limestone. Both lithologies, however, are combined with medium-sized oysters, including Ostrea digitalina Fuchs, and pectinid bivalves. The second phase, however, is interpreted to be deposited in the Middle Miocene (Langhian and Serravallian) based on the total-stratigraphic range of the larger benthic foraminifera Borelis melo melo (Fichtel & Moll), which recovered from the studied washed residues, and the associated microfacies.

Lime Production in the Late Chalcolithic Period: The Case of Arslantepe (Eastern Anatolia)

Plaster and mortar samples from Arslantepe (Turkey) hold potential to provide unique information about the lime production and adhibition during the Late Chalcolithic period (4th millennium BCE). A multi-analytical approach including polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) has been applied to characterize mortar samples from temple C and elite residences dated back to the late Chalcolithic 3–4 (3800–3400 BCE). A marly limestone has been identified as starting raw material for the lime production, probably coming from two different sources (local and brought from a different part of the Malatya plain). Moreover, different aggregate selection and the use of different production techniques were also detected in the samples, which are probably related to the function of the buildings. Evidence of a re-plastering process was also detected in the two elite houses, which probably refers to a routine maintenance process.