Multidisciplinary Study of Cores From the Wetland of El Melah, Southwestern Tunisia

Saline systems are candidates to be threatened by climatic change. In terms of methodology and materials, color identification, geochemistry, and mineralogy analysis were used. The spectral analysis of data of the amount of active K and Na firstly shows the individualization of a cycle stretching along with 1000 yr. Then, a less pronounced cycle of 2500 years is marked with a lower intensity. Also, on the spectral analysis of K data, the drowned cycles of 650 and 500 years are marked by weak intensities not reaching the threshold level. These two comparable cycles may be artifacts due to analysis errors or variability in the rate of sedimentation resulting in the bifurcation of two hybrid cycles from one real cycle. This work confirmed the cycles found by color studies through real analyses such as geochemical and magnetic measurements. As a matter of fact, the majority of cycles found out by the spectral analysis of colors data are confirmed through analyses.

Selective Flotation of Elemental Sulfur from Pressure Acid Leaching Residue of Zinc Sulfide

An efficient flotation process was developed to selectively recover elemental sulfur from a high-sulfur pressure acid leaching residue of zinc sulfide concentrate. The process mineralogy analysis showed that the sulfur content reached 46.21%, and 81.97% of the sulfur existed as elemental sulfur which was the major mineral in the residue and primarily existed as pellet aggregate and biconical euhedral crystal. An elemental sulfur concentrate product with 99.9% of recovery and 83.46% of purity was obtained using the flotation process of one-time blank rougher, two-time agent-added roughers, and two-time cleaners with Z-200 as collector and Na2S + ZnSO4 + Na2SO3 as depressant. The flotation experiment using return water indicated that the cycle use of return water had no adverse effect on the flotation performance of elemental sulfur. The process mineralogy analysis manifested that main minerals in the residue directionally went into the flotation products. Most of elemental sulfur entered the concentrate while other minerals almost completely went into the tailing. Main valuable elements lead, zinc, and silver entered the tailing with sulfides and could be recovered by lead smelting. The proposed process can realize the comprehensive recovery of valuable components in the high-sulfur residue and thus it has wide industrial application prospect.

Tectono-Sedimentary Cenozoic Evolution of the El Habt and Ouezzane Tectonic Units (External Rif, Morocco)

An interdisciplinary study based on lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, petrographic and mineralogical analyses has been performed in order to establish the Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of the El Habt and Ouezzane Tectonic Units (External Intrarif Subzone, External Rif, Morocco). The reconstructed record allowed identification of the depositional architecture and related sedimentary processes of the considered units. The Cenozoic successions were biochronologically defined allowing, at the same time, identification of unconformities and associated stratigraphic gaps. The presence of five unconformities allowed for the definition of the main stratigraphic units arranged in a regressive trend: (1) lower Paleocene interval (Danian p.p.) assigned to a deep basin; (2) Eocene interval (lower Ypresian-lower Bartonian p.p.) from a deep basin to an external carbonate-siliceous platform; (3) lower Rupelian-upper Chattian p.p. interval deposited on unstable slope with turbidite channels passing upward to an external siliciclastic platform; (4) Burdigalian p.p. interval from a slope; (5) Langhian-Serravallian p.p. interval from slope to external platform realms. The petrography of the arenites and calcarenites allowed for the identification of the supplies derived from erosion of a recycled orogen (transitional and quartzose subtypes). The clay-mineralogy analysis indicates an unroofing (first erosion of Cretaceous terrains followed by upper Jurassic rocks) always accomplished by erosion of Cenozoic terrains. Several tectofacies checked in some stratigraphic intervals seem to indicate the beginning of deformation of the basement generating gentle folds and first activation of blind thrusts, mainly during the Paleogene. A preorogenic tectonic framework is considered as responseto the generalized tectonic inversion (from extension to compression) as frequently registered in the central-western peri-Mediterranean areas. The large volumes of reworked terrigeneous supply during the latest Oligocene-Miocene p.p. indicates the beginningsof the synorogenic sedimentation (foredeep stage of the basins) controlled by active tectonics.

Insight into Ceramic Technologies at the Maikop Site of Ust-Dzheguta, Karachay-Cherkessia

The Maikop culture of the 4th millennium BC has long been recognized as one of the most intriguing phenomena in the archaeology and history of Eurasia. A pottery assemblage of Ust-Dzheguta, located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, should provide an insight into Maikop society and its technological and social choices. The article provides information on geographical location and geological settings of the Maikop site. Based on optical mineralogy analysis, potential raw materials and geological maps, fabrics and their possible geological sources were defi ned. The pottery assemblage exhibits technical and technological heterogeneity, including the use of a variety of raw materials and techniques. Correlation between types of vessels and fabrics is traced. Three Maikop pottery industries have been identifi ed. Most of massive and sophisticated basins and pithoi were produced by highly skilled and specialized potters. The majority of vessels were manufactured by part-time potters. Cooking vessels were made as part of household production. The conclusion is provided about the established specialization in the pottery manufacture and preservation of household production.

INVESTIGATION OF FAILURES AND VERTICAL DISPLACEMENTS OCCURRING AT THE CHOREMI VILLAGE, NEAR THE MEGALOPOLIS’ MINES

The current study investigates the catastrophic phenomena affecting Choremi village, at the west boundaries of the Megalopolis’ mines. For this purpose, field survey was carried out, failures in the houses were recorded, the level of aquifer was measured and soil samples were collected for the conduction of laboratory tests and mineralogy analysis. The conclusions of the investigation were verified by slope stability analysis. By evaluating all available data, it is clear that the displacements damaging the village occur due to slope failure and swelling of the clay formations of the narrow study area.