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Much research has been published regarding the relation between major gas hydrate accumulations and the global carbon cycle. In this context, the determination of the sulfate/methane interface (SMI) depth is of primary importance in order to understand the dynamics of methane flux in the shallow section. This paper identifies the depth of the SMI in sediments based on sulfate and methane concentration profiles in cores recovered in the Rio Grande Cone Gas Hydrate Province, Pelotas Basin, southern Brazil. The shape of methane and sulfate concentration profiles in the sediments can be linked to the local methane flux rate as follows: (i) near linear, high upward-diffusing methane flux coupled with high sulfate diffusion from seawater; (ii) irregular, variable methane flux rates; and (iii) kink-type profile, which is indicative of variable rather than strictly high upward methane flux. The areas in which a high methane flux was identified are spatially associated with gas chimneys in sediments within pockmarks, whereas profiles with low methane flux are present in adjacent areas. These chimneys appear as acoustic blankings in seismic records and can therefore be mapped in subsurface. The wavy-like seismic reflection following the SMI coincides with the occurrence of authigenic carbonate nodules and concretions. In addition, high methane fluxes and the occurrence of concretions and nodules carbonates were correlated by stratigraphic position of the concretions bearing intervals and sulfate profiles. KEYWORDS: gas hydrate; methane flux; Rio Grande Cone; Brazil. RESUMO: Muitas pesquisas têm sido publicadas relacionando elevadas acumulações de hidrato de gás e o ciclo global do carbono. Nesse contexto, a determinação da profundidade da interface sulfato/metano (SMI) é importante para entender a dinâmica do fluxo de metano em locais rasos. Este artigo científico identifica a profundidade da SMI em sedimentos com base em perfis de concentração de sulfato e metano em testemunhos recuperados na Província do Hidrato de Gás do

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The Paraná-Etendeka Continental Flood Basalt province hosts world-class agate and amethyst geode deposits in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil; Serra Geral Fm.). Salto do Jacuí Mining District (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) has different types of agate geode hosted in vesicular basalt. A series of structural features has recently been investigated in the Salto do Jacuí Mining District, and indicates at least two volcanic episodes: i) normal tholeiitic basalt and dacite eruption, and ii) vesicular basalt and dacite intrusions as sills and dikes. These structural features include: basalt and aeolian sandstone xenoliths in vesicular basalts, vesicular basalt apophyses in massive basalts, sandstone and basalt breccias, sandstone dikes cutting across vesicular lavas and connected to mixed sandstone-agate geodes, sandstone assimilation by vesicular lava, and mixed sandstone and agate geodes. These features show that agate geodes were formed by melting of Botucatu sandstone xenoliths. High density contrast between vesicular basalt and Botucatu sandstone melts makes them immiscible during flow. Botucatu sandstone xenoliths melting is favored by degasing of intrusive volatile-rich basalts. The high-silica globs crystallize dynamically in a closed-system environment, giving rise to agate banding and fibrosity.

Abstract. This paper examines the domes and basins, regional arcs and synclines, and brittle structures of the Paraná Basin flood volcanism to characterize the deformational phases in its Jurassic to Cretaceous history. First-stage fieldwork revealed brittle structures, extensional joints, and strike-slip faults, and second-stage fieldwork investigated the connections of the brittle structures to both open folds and dome-and-basin features. Fault-slip data inversion was performed using two different techniques to distinguish local and remote stress/strain. Geometric and kinematic analyses completed the investigations of the deformation, which characterized two deformational phases for the Jurassic to Cretaceous periods in the Paraná Basin. Both developed under regional bi-directional constrictional (σ1 ≥ σ2 ≫ σ3) stress regimes that produced a number of non-cylindrical folds. A D1 deformational phase produced the N–S and E–W orthogonally oriented domes and basins. The D2 arcs and synclines are oriented towards the NW and NE and indicate a clockwise rotation (35–40°) of both horizontal principal stress tensors. The extensional joints and strike-slip faults characterize the local stress field in the outer rim of the orthogonally buckled single volcanic flow, whereas the inner rim of the buckled single flow supported constriction and thus, developed the local arcuate folds.

Brazil is recognized for possessing a low carbon‐intensive energy matrix, with most of its power being generated from hydroelectricity. Its greenhouse gas emissions profile is dominated by deforestation and land‐use change. Despite this characteristic, the country has been committed to the development of carbon capture and geological storage (CCS) research since this technology started to be recognized as a relevant solution for greenhouse gas emission reductions. This development has gained attention recently owing to the beginning of the production of pre‐salt reservoirs, which may contain significant amounts of CO2 in the produced fluids. The work has been carried out mostly through the efforts of the academia and industrial enterprises. This paper presents a summary and a brief description of the recent activities being carried out by these sectors, aiming to develop and promote CCS in Brazil.

Deep subsurface microbial communities are more abundant in coarse-grained sedimentary rocks such as sandstones than in fine-grained mudstones. The low porosity and low permeability of mudstones are believed to restrict microbial life. Then, it is expected that distinct, isolated microbial communities may form in sandstones separated by mudstones. In this context, the connectivity between microbial communities in different sandstone units can be investigated to infer evolutionary patterns of diversification in space-time, which may potentially contribute with relevant data for analyses of hydraulic connectivity and stratigraphic correlation. In this work, we used high throughput DNA sequencing of a ribosomal 16S gene fragment to characterize the prokaryotic communities found in Permian sandstone samples of the same core that are separated by one mudstone interval, in the Charqueadas coal field, Parana Basin (Southern Brazil). Our samples were collected at ~300 m deep, in porous sandstones separated by a thick mudstone package. Differences in the bacterial community structure between samples were observed for the classified OTUs, from phylum to genus. Molecular biology might be further applied as a possible tool to help to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of depositional facies, and the efficiency of low permeability rocks to compartmentalize reservoirs. Ongoing studies aim to extend the present investigation into further analyses regarding lateral changes in microbial communities present in the same sandstone units.

Abstract:In this paper we discuss ways to obtain information about the quality of ground water and their availability. We classify the different approaches in two categories: geophysical methods, e.g., electroresistivity sounding, seismic survey, gravimetry, MT (magnetotelluric) method, and geochemical methods. The former ones are able to provide information on the geological structure, meaning depth, range, amount of water and possible connections among different exploration areas or regions at risk due to contamination. On the other hand, the last ones provide information about the quality of water and the possible of use for agriculture, industry or human consumption. As a case study we aim at the Guarani Aquifer, more specifically at its recharge zone on the southern rim.