Browsing Faculty of Science by Title
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Alemaw, B.F.; Chaoka, T.R.; Totolo, O. (Elsevier Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/413/description#description, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The agricultural economic sector of Botswana is limited mainly to range resources-based livestock and pockets of arable farming based on rainfall and limited irrigated agriculture at several places. In this study agricultural sustainability of rain-fed agriculture is investigated in Botswana by considering the Pandamatenga plains as a case study. Daily soil moisture regimes with respect to crop growth cycle were modelled using a water balance model based on 42 years of daily hydroclimatic inputs and corresponding simulated components of soil moisture, evaporation, surface runoff, and deep percolation. Using a sustainability criterion on crop water requirement and soil moisture availability during the cropping periods, it was found that rain-fed agriculture of maize, sunflower, and sorghum crops is sustainable. The relative sensitivity to drought of these crops was also found to conform to the Agromisa recommendations. In the pursuit to explore more IWRM opportunities, through the simulation of the corresponding direct runoff, we have also explored that more water harvesting opportunities exist in order to manage rainfall excesses effectively. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/155 Files in this item: 4
alemaw_chaoka_totolo_06.pdf (2.112Mb)license.txt (1.998Kb)license.txt (1.998Kb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Moseki, B.; Buru, J.C. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the growth response of Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) (a halophyte) to various NaCl concentrations and hence determine how it is adapted to grow optimally under saline conditions. S. portulacastrum was grown hydroponically in various NaCl concentrations (that is, 0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mol m-3 NaCl). It was found to exhibit a growth pattern typical of dicotyledonous halophytes. It attained maximal growth at 200 mol m-3 NaCl concentration in hydroponic cultures. It accumulated large concentrations of Na+ and Cl- with the leaves having the highest ion content. These ions are believed to be sequestered in the vacuole. S. portulacastrum also accumulated proline in high concentrations and this proline appeared to adjust the cytoplasmic ion concentration to balance that of the vacuole. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/961 Files in this item: 1
Moseki_SRE_2010.pdf (102.5Kb) -
Ngamga, D.; Yankep, E.; Tane, P.; Bezabih, M.; Ngadjui, B.T.; Fomum, Z.T.; Abegaz, B.M. (Verlag der Zeitschrift fu¨r Naturforschung, Tu¨bingen · http://znaturforsch.com, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Three new isoflavonoids, griffonianone F, G and H were isolated from the seeds of Millettia griffoniana, along with the known prebarbigerone, pseudobaptigenin, pseudobaptigenin methyl ether, tephrosin, dipterixine, odorantine, 7,4’,5’-tetramethoxyisoflavone and isojamaicin. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical transformations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/274 Files in this item: 1
Isoflavonoids from Seeds.pdf (1.353Mb) -
Baloi, B.; Matsheka, M.I.; Gashe, B.A. (Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Halophilic bacteria from the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north central Botswana were isolated using culture-dependent methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify the strains. Culturing was done aerobically in six different complex salt media. Salt concentrations used were 1Halophilic bacteria from the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north central Botswana were isolated using culture-dependent methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify the strains. Culturing was done aerobically in six different complex salt media. Salt concentrations used were 15, 20, 25 and 30% (2.6, 3.4, 4.3 and 5.1 M, respectively) NaC1, at pH 7.2 to pH 8.0. Four colony morphology types were isolated in axenic cultures comprising Gram-positive cells. Universal bacterila primers were used to amplify 16S rDNA from chromosomal DNA isolated from three of the four distinct colony groups. Restriction enzyme digest analysis of the 16S rDNA revealed seven RFLP types. Five of the RFLP types were subjected to sequencing. Comparison of the 16S rDNA sequence alignment to reference sequence data bases showed samples S2012A3, S2012B2 and S2012B3 to have between 95 and 99% homology to Bacillus sp. BH 164 and Bacillus sp. HS 136T, a novel species recently described as Bacillus persepolensis. Isolate S4102D4 showed 95 to 99% homology to Thalassobacillus sp. JY0201 and Thalassobacillus sp. FIB228 and Halobacillus sp. MO56 species. All five isolates had at least 95% similarity to published sequences implying they could be species within the described genera. A sub-tree drawn to compare the isolates indicated two phyletic lines with S4102D4 being an outlying strain and S2012A3, S2012B and S2012B3 being a closely related clonal group all of which branch from Bacillus sp. BH 164. Pending conclusive culture, biochemical and polar lipid composition data these microorganisms are regarded as previously un-described and therefore novel species of halophilic bacteria. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/920 Files in this item: 1
Matsheka_AJPSB_2011.pdf (525.8Kb) -
Jourdan, F.; Fe´raud, G.; Bertrand, H.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Tshoso, G.; Le Gall, B.; Tiercelin, J.-J.; Capiez, P. (Elservier www.elsevier.com/locate/epsl, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The lower Jurassic Karoo–Ferrar magmatism represents one of the most important Phanerozoic continental flood basalt (CFB) provinces. The Karoo CFB province is dominated by tholeiitic traps and apparently radiating giant dyke swarms covering altogether ca. 3 106 km2. This study focuses on the giant N110j-trending Okavango dyke swarm (ODS) stretching over 1500 km across Botswana. This dyke swarm represents the main (failed) arm of the so-called Karoo triple junction that is generally considered as a key marker of the impingement of the Karoo starting mantle plume head. ODS dolerites yield six new plagioclase 40Ar/39Ar plateau (and miniplateau) ages ranging from 178.7F0.7 and 180.9F1.3 Ma. The distribution of the ages along a narrow Gaussian curve suggests a short period of magmatic activity centered around 179 Ma, i.e., f5 Ma younger than the emplacement age of Karoo mafic magmas in the southern part of the Karoo CFB province (f184). This age difference indicates that Karoo magmatism does not represent a short-lived event as is generally the case for most CFB but lasted at least 5Ma over the whole province. In addition, small clusters of plagioclase separated from 28 other dykes and measured by ‘‘speedy’’ step-heating experiments (with mostly two to three steps), gave either ‘‘Karoo’’ or Proterozoic ages. Integrated ages of the Proterozoic rocks range from 851F6 to 1672F7 Ma, and one plateau age (959.1F4.6 Ma) and one possibly geologically significant weightedmean age (982.7F4.0 Ma) were obtained. Proterozoic and Karoo mafic rocks are petrographically similar, but Proterozoic dykes display clear geochemical differences (e.g., TiO2 < 2.1%) with the Karoo high-Ti ODS (TiO2>2.1%). Geochemical data combined with available Ar/Ar dates allow the identification of the two groups within a total set of 77 dykes investigated: f10% of the bulk ODS dykes are Proterozoic. Thus, the Jurassic Karoo ODS dykes were emplaced along reactivated Proterozoic structures and there is no pristine Jurassic Nuanetsi triple junction as commonly proposed. This throws into doubt the validity of the ‘‘active plume head’’ Karoo CFB rift models as being responsible for the observed ‘‘triple junction’’ dyke geometry URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/383 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2004KarooTripleJunction.pdf (1.306Mb) -
Oyetunji, O.A.; Paphane, B.D.; Becker, C.A.L. (Springer, http://www.springer.com/chemistry/journal/11243, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The interaction of pyridine with four tetraki(arylisocyanide)cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(CNR)4(ClO4)2] R = 2,6- Me2C6H3 (A), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (B), 2,6-Et2C6H3 (C) and 2,6-iPr2C6H3 (D), have been studied in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol medium. The kinetics of the reactions were investigated over the 293–318 K temperature range. The reaction profile exhibited two distinct processes, proposed to be an initial fast substitution followed by a slow reduction, for each of the reactions. The pseudo first-order rate constants for both processes increased with increasing concentration of pyridine with the reduction processes exhibiting saturation kinetics at high pyridine concentrations. Steric hindrance plays a significant role in the rates of the reactions, as the rates decrease in the order k(A) > k(B) > k(C) > k(D). The activation enthalpies, DH , increase from A to D while the activation entropies, DS , are relatively similar for the four reactions, indicating similar transition states and hence similar mechanisms. Complex B was first synthesized and characterized in this study. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1033 Files in this item: 1
Oyetunji_TMC_2006.pdf (911.4Kb) -
Kalabamu, F.T. (Elsevier Science Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/locate/landusepol, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Since attainment of independence, almost every country in East and Southern Africa has introduced some kind of land reform aimed at reconciling indigenous land tenure practices and those introduced by colonial regimes. The reforms have centred on modi"cation of tenurial rules on access, ownership, administration and transfer of land rights coupled with land redistribution and/or restitution in some countries. With the exception of a few countries, such as Botswana, land reforms have largely remained on statute books with little to show on the ground. The paper gives an overview of land reforms in East and Southern Africa, taking Botswana as a case study. It notes that although Botswana has largely been successful in implementing land reforms, it is currently experiencing land tenure problems, especially in peri-urban settlements and inner city low-income areas, despite government's enhanced control over local land administrative structures. The paper ends with suggestions on how to contain the current problems. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1134 Files in this item: 1
Kalabamu_LUP_2000.pdf (1.757Mb) -
Kapche, G.; Laatsch, H.; Fotso, S.; Kouam, S.; Wafo, P.; Ngadjui, B.; Abegaz, B. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/biochemsyseco, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The genus Lannea belongs to the family Anacardiaceae and consists of 40 species. Lannea nigritana (Sc. Elliot) Keay is a small tree of 3e6 m of height found in the tropical rain forest (Berhaut, 1971; Letouzey, 1972). It is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of various infectious diseases (Berhaut, 1971; Burkill, 1985). The stem bark of this plant was collected in Makenene, Centre Province of Cameroon in December 2003. The identification was done by Mr. Nana from the National Herbarium of Yaounde where a voucher specimen (N 40408/HNC) documenting the collection is deposited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/252 Files in this item: 2
Lanneanol.pdf (2.606Mb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Cailteux, J.L.H.; Kampunzu, A.B.H.; Batumike, M.J. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The Neoproterozoic Katangan R.A.T. ("Roches Argilo-Talqueuses") Subgroup is a sedimentary sequence composed of red massive to irregularly bedded terrigenous-dolomitic rocks occurring at the base of the Katangan succession in Congo. Red R.A.T. is rarely exposed in a continuous section because it was affected by a major layer-parallel de´collement during the Lufilian thrusting. However, in a number of thrust sheets, Red R.A.T. is in conformable sedimentary contact with Grey R.A.T which forms the base of the Mines Subgroup. Apart from the colour difference reflecting distinct depositional redox conditions, lithological, petrographical and geochemical features of Red and Grey R.A.T. are similar. A continuous sedimentary transition between these two lithological units is shown by the occurrence of variegated to yellowish R.A.T. The D. Strat. "Dolomies Stratifie´es" formation of the Mines Subgroup conformably overlies the Grey R.A.T. In addition, a transitional gradation between Grey R.A.T. and D. Strat. occurs in most Cu–Co mines in Katanga and is marked by interbedding of Grey R.A.T.-type and D. Strat.-type layers or by a progressive petrographic and lithologic transition from R.A.T. to D. Strat. Thus, there is an unquestionable sedimentary transition between Grey R.A.T. and D. Strat. and between Grey R.A.T. and Red R.A.T. The R.A.T. Subgroup stratigraphically underlies the Mines Subgroup and therefore R.A.T. cannot be comprised of syn-orogenic sediments deposited upon the Kundelungu (formerly ‘‘Upper Kundelungu’’) Group as suggested by Wendorff (2000). As a consequence, the Grey R.A.T. Cu–Co mineralisation definitely is part of the Mines Subgroup Lower Orebody, and does not represent a distinct generation of stratiform Cu–Co sulphide mineralisation younger than the Roan orebodies. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/391 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2005Lithostratigraphic.pdf (1.922Mb) -
Gwebu, T.D. (Taylor & Francis Ltd, http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/cepe, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: In sub-Saharan Africa, communal land resource utilization and management has reflected changes in sociocultural belief systems, population dynamics, and modes of societal administration and regulation. This paper, based on archival evidence, attempts to substantiate this assumption through an illustrative case study on biomass depletion around large settlements in Botswana. It also suggests that a revisit to certain traditional institutional and sociocultural practices on natural resource management might provide useful insights towards the sustainable utilization of wood resources. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/959 Files in this item: 1
Gwebu_EPE_2002.pdf (597.0Kb) -
King, J.G.; Williams, W. (American Geophysical Union. http://www.agu.org/journals/jd/, NaN, NaN)[more][less]
Abstract: Although several studies have recommended removal of secondary components of magnetic remanence by zero-field cycling from room temperature to a temperature much lower than the low temperature transition for magnetite (about 120 K), the method has not become a standard routine technique. This is partly due to the poor understanding of the behavior of magnetite particles at the low-temperature transition zone. Previous experiments by other researchers have used magnetite powders. In such powders it is always possible to attribute any discrepancy between the results observed and theory to possible existence of magnetostatic interaction effects or existence of elongated particles in samples presumed to contain only equant particles. Such factors need to be eliminated in order to have a better understanding of the low temperature behavior of magnetite particles. Low-temperature magnetic properties of lithographically produced arrays of both interacting and noninteracting cubic magnetite particles as well as those from powder particles have been measured as part of this study. A gradual increase in the amount of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) lost at the Verwey transition Tv with increasing particle size in the pseudo-single-domain size range has been observed. This behavior is consistent with the vortex state domain structure. The grain size dependence of the amount of SIRM lost at Tv is most probably what previous researchers reported as a magnetic memory particle-size-dependent trend. Magnetic memory measured during the cooling and warming process is shown to be a stress-related phenomenon. Such measurements could be useful in assessing the nature of stress in a magnetite sample. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/347 Files in this item: 1
King_JGR_2000.pdf (2.594Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Mabbs, R. (Elsevier Science BV; www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, January 15, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: [Please note that the mathematical symbols have not transposed into this abstact].The luminescent and laser properties of heteroaromatic and aromatic compounds are reviewed and discussed on the basis of all possible mutual arrangements of singlet and triplet states. All heteroaromatic compounds are divided into five classes. It is shown that a heteroaromatic compound can only be an effective laser dye if it belongs to class V (a situation where the Tn_* level lies at higher energy than the S__* 1 level). Moreover, it is shown that the energy interval between the Tn_* and S__* 1 states must be no less than 1000 cmâ 1 since the rate constant of the non-radiative process S__*1 _Tn_*_T__1 is usually 100 times greater than the fluorescence rate constant. The classification is extended to compounds with orbitals of _l,_*, _,__* and _l,__* nature. Pure aromatic compounds, the spectral-luminescent properties of which are solely determined by transitions of _-electrons (_ _ _*), are also divided into five classes, depending on the mutual arrangement of the Sp(1La), S_(1Lb), Tp(3La) and T_(3Bb) states. It is found that only aromatic compounds of classes IV and V can be effective scintillators and laser dyes. It is also shown that the energy interval S_â Sp (for class IV) and T_â Sp (for class V) must be no less than 1000 cmâ 1. To illustrate the classifications for heteroaromatic and aromatic compounds, 12 specifically chosen compounds were studied experimentally and quantum chemically. The quantum yields, _ and decay times, _f of fluorescence in aerated and non-deaerated ethanol or cyclohexane solutions were measured. The oscillator strength, fe, fluorescence rate constant, kf, natural lifetimes, _0 T and intersystem crossing rate constants, kST are calculated. The laser ability of each of the compounds studied is tested. The suggested classification schemes can be extremely useful in the quest for effective scintillators and laser dyes among hypothetical heteroaromatic and aromatic molecules, enabling evaluation of these properties for a particular compound using only quantum chemical simulations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/136 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)nijegorodov_sa_2002.pdf (1.811Mb) -
Muxworthy, A.R.; King, J.G.; Odling, N. (AGU and the Geochemical Society. http://www.agu.org/journals/gc/index.shtml, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The magnetic hysteresis properties for well-defined micron-sized magnetite samples produced by electron beam lithography (EBL) are presented. In addition to measuring standard hysteresis parameters, first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams are also reported. EBL produces samples that consist of particles with very tightly constrained size distributions, and spatial distributions that govern the degree of intergrain magnetostatic interactions are accurately controlled and known. Thus EBL samples are significantly better characterized compared to powdered samples, which are conventionally used to characterize the size dependency of magnetic hysteresis properties of naturally occurring magnetic minerals. Compared with the hysteresis properties of powdered samples of the same nominal sizes, EBL samples display more multidomain-like (MD) behavior. The influence of magnetostatic interactions fields on hysteresis properties is analyzed. When magnetostatic interactions are effectively in only one direction, the hysteresis properties become more single domain-like, and if the interactions are in more than one direction, hysteresis becomes more MD-like, in agreement with numerical models. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/360 Files in this item: 1
Muxworthy_GGG_2006.pdf (1.589Mb) -
King, J G; Ranganai, RT (BOSHASTED, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Emissions of vehicles represent a significant contribution to environmental pollution along roads. Pollutants from cars include gases such as (NOx, CO, CO2), solid components such as sort particles from exhaust system, abrasion products from the brakes and engine etc (Leven et al., 1999). Aerosols pollutants can reduce significantly the quality of the environment and seriously affect human health e.g. by contributing to high rates of allergies or diseases of the respiratory system. In this study, samples were collected at various distances from a busy road, Gaborone-Tlokweng road near Game store. Non-magnetic adhesive paper pieces were used as sample collectors. Magnetic properties of the aerosols collected were measured using a highly sensitive magnetometer (AGM-Micromag). Magnetic properties measured include total magnetic moment, hysteresis loops and associated parameters such as coercivity. In general, observed hysteresis loops are typical for magnetite. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/406 Files in this item: 1
King_BOSHASTED_2000.pdf (159.1Kb) -
Kampunzu, A.B.; Tombale, A.R.; Zhaia, M.; Bagai, Z.; Majaule, T.; Modisi, M.P. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/lithos, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: The Neoarchaean Tati granite–greenstone terrane occurs within the southwestern part of the Zimbabwe craton in NE Botswana. It comprises 10 intrusive bodies forming part of three distinct plutonic suites: (1) an earlier TTG suite dominated by tonalites, trondhjemites, Na-granites distributed into high-Al (Group 1) and low-Al (Group 2) TTG sub-suite rocks; (2) a Sanukitoid suite including gabbros and Mg-diorites; and (3) a younger high-K granite suite displaying I-type, calc-alkaline affinities. The Group 1 TTG sub-suite rocks are marked by high Sr/Y values and strongly fractionated chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns, with no Eu anomaly. The Group 2 TTG sub-suite displays higher LREE contents, negative Eu anomaly and small to no fractionation of HREE. The primordial mantle-normalized patterns of the Francistown TTGs are marked by negative Nb–Ti anomalies. The geochemical characteristics of the TTG rocks are consistent with features of silicate melts from partial melting of flat subducting slabs for the Group 1 sub-suite and partial melting of arc mafic magmas underplated in the lower crust for the Group 2 sub-suite. The gabbros and high-Mg diorites of the Sanukitoid suite are marked by Mg#>0.5, high Al2O3 (>>16%), low TiO2 ( < 0.6%) and variable enrichment of HFSE and LILE. Their chondrite-normalized REE patterns are flat in gabbros and mildly to substantially fractionated in high-Mg diorites, with minor negative or positive Eu anomalies. The primordial mantle-normalized diagrams display negative Nb–Ti (and Zr in gabbros) anomalies. Variable but high Sr/Y, Sr/Ce, La/Nb, Th/Ta and Cs/La and low Ce/Pb ratios mark the Sanukitoid suite rocks. These geochemical features are consistent with melting of a sub-arc heterogeneously metasomatised mantle wedge source predominantly enriched by earlier TTG melts and fluids from dehydration of a subducting slab. Melting of the mantle wedge is consistent with a steeper subduction system. The late to post-kinematic high-K granite suite includes I-type calc-alkaline rocks generated through crustal partial melting of earlier TTG material. The Neoarchaean tectonic evolution of the Zimbabwe craton is shown to mark a broad continental magmatic arc (and related accretionary thrusts and sedimentary basins) linked to a subduction zone, which operated within the Limpopo– Shashe belt atf2.8–2.65 Ga. The detachment of the subducting slab led to the uprise of a hotter mantle section as the source of heat inducing crustal partial melting of juvenile TTG material to produce the high-K granite suite. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/381 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2003Majorandtrace element.pdf (2.863Mb) -
Simon, R.E.; Wright, C.; Kwadiba, M.T.O.; Kgaswane, E.M. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/lithos, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Average one-dimensional P and S wavespeed models from the surface to depths of 800 km were derived for the southern African region using travel times and waveforms from earthquakes recorded at stations of the Kaapvaal and South African seismic networks. The Herglotz–Wiechert method combined with ray tracing was used to derive a preliminary P wavespeed model, followed by refinements using phase-weighted stacking and synthetic seismograms to yield the final model. Travel times combined with ray tracing were used to derive the S wavespeed model, which was also refined using phase-weighted stacking and synthetic seismograms. The presence of a high wavespeed upper mantle lid in the S model overlying a low wavespeed zone (LWZ) around 210- to - 345-km depth that is not observed in the P wavespeed model was inferred. The 410-km discontinuity shows similar characteristics to that in other continental regions, but occurs slightly deeper at 420 km. Depletion of iron and/or enrichment in aluminium relative to other regions are the preferred explanation, since the P wavespeeds throughout the transition zone are slightly higher than average. The average S wavespeed structure beneath southern Africa within and below the transition zone is similar to that of the IASP91 model. There is no evidence for discontinuity at 520-km depth. The 660-km discontinuity also appears to be slightly deeper than average (668 km), although the estimated thickness of the transition zone is 248 km, similar to the global average of 241 km. The small size of the 660-km discontinuity for P waves, compared with many other regions, suggests that interpretation of the discontinuity as the transformation of spinel to perovskite and magnesiowu¨ stite may require modification. Alternative explanations include the presence of garnetite-rich material or ilmenite-forming phase transformations above the 660-km discontinuity, and the garnet– perovskite transformation as the discontinuity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/265 Files in this item: 1
Simon_L71_2003.pdf (2.274Mb) -
De Waele, B.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Mapani, B.S.E.; Tembo, F. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The Mesoproterozoic Irumide belt is a northeast-trending structural province stretching from central Zambia to the Zambia–Tanzania border and northern Malawi. Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic transcurrent shear zones within reactivated parts of the Palaeoproterozoic Ubendian belt define its northeastern limit. The northwestern margin is defined by the largely undeformed basement lithologies of the Bangweulu block. An intensely folded and sheared zone at the southeastern margin of the Mporokoso Group sedimentary depocentre on the Bangweulu block, interpreted to have developed above a thrust at the basement-cover interface, indicates that far-field effects of the Irumide Orogen also affected the southeastern part of the Bangweulu block sedimentary cover. To the west and southwest, Irumide and basement lithologies were reworked by the Damara–Lufilian–Zambezi Orogen within the Neoproterozoic Zambezi and Lufilian belts. The Choma–Kalomo block, previously regarded as the southwesterly continuation of the Irumide belt, is a distinct Mesoproterozoic province, while a succession of structurally juxtaposed tectonic terranes in eastern Zambia record a deformation event related to the Irumide Orogen. The lithological units identified in the Irumide belt include: (1) limited Neoarchaean rocks emplaced between 2.73 and 2.61 Ga and representing the oldest rocks in the Bangweulu block; (2) ca. 2.05–1.85 Ga volcano-plutonic complexes and gneisses representing the most important components in the Bangweulu block; (3) an extensive quartzite–metapelite succession with minor carbonate forming the Muva Supergroup, and deposited at ca. 1.85 Ga; (4) granitoids emplaced between 1.65 and 1.55 Ga; (5) a minor suite of anorogenic plutons (nepheline syenite and biotite granite) restricted to the far northeastern Irumide belt and emplaced between 1.36 and 1.33 Ga; (6) voluminous syn- to post-kinematic Irumide granitoids emplaced between 1.05 and 0.95 Ga. Crustal shortening and thickening in the Irumide belt are shown by northwestward-directed thrusts and related folds and metamorphic parageneses recording a clockwise medium-pressure/medium-temperature P–T–t path. Metamorphic grades range from greenschist facies in the foreland to the northwest to upper amphibolite facies in the southeast, with local granulites. Peak metamorphism is diachronous across the belt and bracketed between 1.05 in the southeast and 1.02 Ga in the northwest. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/398 Files in this item: 1
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Becker, T.; Schreiber, U.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Armstrong, R. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Two main Mesoproterozoic provinces occur in southern Namibia: (1) The high-grade Namaqua Metamorphic Complex (NMC) composed of a supracrustal sedimentary succession and interpreted as a passive margin sequence in the west of the Kalahari craton; (2) The Sinclair Group and its northeastern correlatives, composed of two main magmatic and metamorphic units, reflecting northeast-directed subduction, which started before 1.37 Ga and lasted until about 1.1 Ga. These two units were tectonically juxtaposed during the 1.1– 1.03 Ga Namaqua orogenic event. The Kairab–Kumbis Metamorphic Complex comprises metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks intruded by the 1.37 Ga arc-related Aunis tonalite. The mafic volcanic rocks from this complex have geochemical features of island arc calcalkaline basalts; they were emplaced and metamorphosed along an active margin before 1.37 Ga. The 1.2–1.1 Ga low-grade unmetamorphosed volcanic and immature sedimentary rocks of the Sinclair Group and its northwestern equivalents rest disconformably on the Kairab–Kumbis Complex. They occur in fault-bounded depocenters defining a regional arc-shape structure up to 100 km-wide and with a minimum length of 2000 km. The plate tectonic setting of this arc is best constrained by the composition of volcanic rocks from the 1.2 Ga Barby Formation and coeval granitoids; they comprise high-K calcalkaline rocks suggesting emplacement in an active continental margin setting. The final stage of this continental arc evolution is recorded in the <1.1 Ga tholeiites of the Opdam Formation. High Ti-content and flat REEpatterns in the tholeiites suggests an extensional event, whereas high Th/Ta and La/Nb ratios, low Ce/Pb values and negative anomalies for Nb–Ta suggest a subduction-related setting for the mantle source from which the mafic magmas were derived. Docking of continents led to the slab detachment, allowing interaction between the asthenospheric mantle and the mantle wedge enriched during the subduction process. The magmatic underplating related to this event induced the genesis of large-scale batholitic granitoid bodies in the NMC and a 1.1–1.0 Ga high-grade LP/HT metamorphism, with mineral assemblages indicating an anti-clockwise P–T–t path. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/385 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2006RocksofNamibia.pdf (3.444Mb) -
Atlhopheng, J.R.; Ekosse, G. I. E. (Bioline http://www.bioline.org, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: A mineralogical investigation of duricrust suites in Letlhakeng valley, and five pans around Jwaneng in Botswana was undertaken in order to know the mineral assemblages and infer on their landscape formation. In Letlhakeng, duricrusts comprised calcretes, silcretes and ferricretes. Calcretes were dominated by the minerals: calcite, quartz and to a lesser extent dolomite. Silcrete mineralogy was dominated by quartz, opal, and some occurrences of palygorskite, microcline and rutile. The intermediate forms of cal-silcretes yielded quartz, muscovite, and kaolinite. Ferricretes occurred on an area of the valley capping, with minerals dominated by goethite and haematite. The indurates are believed to have been formed through groundwater mechanisms. The general lowering of the valley, led to precipitation of the duricrusts. The pans were dominated by calcrete and silcrete only. The calcretes mineralogy was mainly calcite, dolomite and quartz. Illite-montmorillonite and sepiollite were also present. Samples of pan clay floor, other than being dominated by calcite, dolomite and quartz, also had sepiollite ferrian. Pans and valleys are accumulation sites, with polygenetic modes of genesis. The duricrusts have undergone several alterations throughout time. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/679 Files in this item: 1
Atlhopheng_JASEM_2007.pdf (494.4Kb) -
Meck, M.L.; Atlhopheng, J.; Masamba, W.R.L.; Ringrose, S.; Diskin, S. (Bentham Open, http://www.benthamscience.com/open/tomj/index.htm, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This study set out to establish the major minerals at Dorowa and determine which of those are likely to host metals that may leach into surface and groundwater. This study comes after a preliminary assessment of the water quality in the Save River downstream of the Dorowa phosphate mine in Zimbabwe showed an increase in conductivity, iron content, manganese content, nitrates and hardness when compared to those taken before the mining area. X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) was used to establish the major minerals at Dorowa whilst Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP- MS) was used to establish the chemistry of the rocks. The results from this study show that the major minerals in the rocks around Dorowa are feldspars, pyroxenes, apatite, magnetite and calcite. The metals hosted by the rocks include Ag, As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Sb, Se and Zn. The study concludes that the minerals likely to host metals are calcite and apatite. Metal hosting is higher in apatite minerals than in calcite. Metal hosting by the other minerals observed in the study area is low. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1109 Files in this item: 1
Atlhopheng_OMJ_2011.pdf (848.6Kb)