Sedimentology and magnetic susceptibility of the Couvin Formation (Eifelian, South Western Belgium): Carbonate platform initiation in a hostile world

The Eifelian of Belgium is mainly characterised by a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sedimentation on a ramp profile. In this context, the Couvin Formation is the more important and remarkable exception. It represents a carbonate platform initiation in a hostile environment. This work is mainly based on the stratotype, corresponding to two stratigraphic sections located in Couvin, along the southern border of the Dinant Synclinorium. These sections are the Eau Noire and Falaise de l'Abime sections. Unfortunately, they are discontinuous. To allow a better understanding of the sedimentary dynamics, the data are complemented by a shorter but continuous section located in Villers-la-Tour (3.5 km West of Chimay). Petrographic study leads to the definition of 14 microfacies which are integrated in a palaeogeographical model. It corresponds to a platform setting where the reef complex is mainly constituted by an accumulation of crinoids, stromatoporoids and tabulate corals. The microfacies evolution is interpreted in terms of bathymetrical variations. It shows a general shallowing-upward trend encompassing the vertical succession of fore-reef settings, reef development, back-reef and then lagoon environment. This interpretation is supported by trends in mean magnetic susceptibility data, providing a better understanding of the sedimentary dynamics. Moreover, these data show positive correlation with concentrations of detritic minerals, but an inverse relationship with well washed skeletal limestones. The comparison of the three studied sections leads to considerations concerning the lateral variability in the Couvin Formation indicating more agitated conditions in the Abime Member in Villers-le-Tour section

Disused Jurassic regional stage from Belgium: Virtonian

An overview of the definition and history of the Virtonian is given with the argumentation for the abandonment of this disused regional stage

A fourth level of Frasnian carbonate mounds along the south side of the Dinant Synclinorium (Belgium)

An additional level of Frasnian mounds has been recognized in the La Boverie quarry at Rochefort and in four boreholes drilled in the Nord quarry at Frasnes, on the south side of the Dinant Synclinorium. It occurs between the Arche and Lion Members belonging respectively to the Moulin Liénaux and Grands Breux Formations, in the middle part of the stage. The new name of La Boverie Member is introduced at the top of the Moulin Liénaux Fm., for the deposits lying between the Arche and Bieumont Members; the latter is the basement of the Lion mound. The same succession has been observed in the sections of Moulin Bayot close to Vodelée, in the southeastern part of the Philippeville Anticlinorium. The La Boverie Member starts with rather deep bioclastic sediments, after the collapse of the carbonate factory at the top of the Arche mound. In the upper part of the lithostratigraphic unit, there is a thin buildup characterized by relatively shallow facies. The solitary rugose corals Macgeea boveriensis n. sp., M. socialis SOSHKINA, 1939 and Sinodisphyllum posterum (IVANIA, 1965) collected in the lower part of the La Boverie Member are described in detail whereas the revision of S. kielcense (ROZKOWSKA, 1979) occurring in the Bieumont Member is also provided

Sedimentologie et coraux du bioherme de marbre rouge Frasnien (F2j) de Tapoumont (Massif de Phillippeville, Belgique)

The sedimentological study of the Frasnian Tapoumont red marble bioherm (Philippeville antiform, Belgium, «F2j» based on rugose corals) enables recognition of twelve microfacies. They range from sponge spicule mudstones to crinoidal, coral rudstones. Water agitation and light supply normally control the bioherm growth, but three environments do not follow the rule. They are characterized by the abundance of microorganic mats, now in form of irregular plurimetric fenestrae. cemented by radiaxial calcite. They are more and more abundant towards the centre of the buildup. Four lateral microfacies are studied. The bioherm geometry is discussed, and a weak sedimentary slope is proposed

Sedimentologic and paleoclimatic reconstructions of carbonate factory evolution in the Alborz Basin (northern Iran) indicate a global response to Early Carboniferous (Tournaisian) glaciations

© 2016 Elsevier B.V.The Lower Carboniferous Mobarak Formation records the development of a storm-sensitive pervasive carbonate factory on the southern Paleo-Tethyan passive margin following the opening of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean into the Alborz Basin along the northern margin of Gondwana. Its depositional facies encompass inner ramp peritidal environments, peloidal to crinoidal shoals, storm to fair-weather influenced mid-ramps, proximal to distal shell beds and low energy outer ramps. Sedimentological analyses and foraminiferal biostratigraphy reveal four events affecting carbonate platform evolution in the Alborz Basin during the Lower Carboniferous: (1) A transgression following global temperature rise in the Early Tournaisian (middle Hastarian) caused the formation of thick-bedded argillaceous limestones. This interval correlates with Early Tournaisian nodular to argillaceous limestones in the Moravia Basin (Lisen Formation, Czech Republic), the Dinant Basin (Pont d'Arcole Formation, Belgium), and at the Rhenish Slate Mountains (Lower Alum shale, Germany). (2) Late Hastarian–early Ivorian glaciations previously identified in Southern Gondwana but had not yet recognized in Northern Gondwana were recorded through a sequence boundary. (3) During the Late Tournaisian–Early Visean?, a differential block faulting regime along the basin's margin caused uplift of the westernmost parts of the Alborz Basin and resulted in subsidence in the eastern part of the central basin. This tectonically controlled shift in depositional regime caused vast sub-aerial exposure and brecciation preserved in the top of the Mobarak Formation in the western portion of the Central Alborz Basin. (4) Tectonic activity coinciding with a progressive, multiphase sea level drop caused indirectly by the Viséan and Serpukhovian glaciations phases ultimately led to the stagnation of the carbonate factory. Paleothermometry proxies, the presence of foraminiferal taxa with a northern Paleo-Tethyan affinity and evidence for arid conditions in the terrestrial hinterland place the Alborz Basin at lower latitudes than the approximately 45ο–50ο southern paleolatitude reported thus far

Complications associated with transobturator sling procedures: analysis of 233 consecutive cases with a 27 months follow-up

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Backround</p> <p>The transobturator tape procedure (TOT) is an effective surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. However data concerning safety are rare, follow-up is often less than two years, and complications are probably underreported. The aim of this study was to describe early and late complications associated with TOT procedures and identify risk factors for erosions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was a 27 months follow-up of a cohort of 233 women who underwent TOT with three different types of slings (Aris^®, Obtape^®, TVT-O^®). Follow-up information was available for 225 (96.6%) women.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were few per operative complications. Forty-eight women (21.3%) reported late complications including <it>de novo </it>or worsening of preexisting urgencies (10.2%), perineal pain (2.2%), <it>de novo </it>dyspareunia (9%), and vaginal erosion (7.6%). The risk of erosion significantly differed between the three types of slings and was 4%, 17% and 0% for Aris^®, Obtape^®and TVT-O^®respectively (P = 0.001). The overall proportion of women satisfied by the procedure was 72.1%. The percentage of women satisfied was significantly lower in women who experienced erosion (29.4%) compared to women who did not (78.4%) (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.38, P < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Late post operative complications are relatively frequent after TOT and can impair patient's satisfaction. Women should be informed of these potential complications preoperatively and require careful follow-up after the procedure. Choice of the safest sling material is crucial as it is a risk factor for erosion.</p