https://hdl.handle.net/10481/32074 2026-04-11T12:03:21Z 2026-04-11T12:03:21Z Ruiz Fuentes, Alejandro Aerden, Domingo G.A.M. Bosch, Delphine Bruguier, Olivier Corsini, Michel Lardeaux, Jean-Marc Münch, Philippe https://hdl.handle.net/10481/112043 2026-03-12T07:50:21Z

Integrated Petrology, Geochronology and 3D Microstructural Analysis of Garnetiferous Micaschists: Insights Into the Tectono-Metamorphic Evolution of the Betic Cordillera Ruiz Fuentes, Alejandro; Aerden, Domingo G.A.M.; Bosch, Delphine; Bruguier, Olivier; Corsini, Michel; Lardeaux, Jean-Marc; Münch, Philippe Integration of microstructural, petrological and geochronological techniques has allowed detailed characterization of the timing and metamorphic features of deformation events in the Betic Cordillera. Phase equilibrium modelling, thermobarometric estimations, in situ U–Pb monazite geochronology and Ar–Ar geochronology (amphibole and micas) have been applied to key samples containing well-constrained deformation fabrics and garnet porphyroblasts of different timing that can be distinguished based on their specifically orientated inclusion trails. Our study helps constrain the timing and kinematics of initial crustal thickening stages in the Alpujárride complex, followed by orogenic collapse and renewed continental collision around 17 Ma. In the underlying Nevado-Filábride complex, multiple garnet generations coexisting in a single investigated sample record a similar history ending with garnet growth under low-pressure/high-temperature conditions around 13 Ma. New age constraints for microstructural trends fossilized within porphyroblasts refine the sequence of changing shortening directions previously linked to the plate-motion interplay between the Alborán Domain, Iberia and Africa from Eocene to Middle Miocene. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU) (FPU17/01874 [MICIU], PID2022-136678NB-I00 [AEI/MICIU/FEDER], 10.13039/501100011033 [AEI/MICIU/FEDER]), Junta de Andalucía (P18-RT-3275, B-RNM-301-UGR18, RNM148) and Universidad de Granada.

Aerden, Domingo Gerard Ruiz Fuentes, Alejandro https://hdl.handle.net/10481/112042 2026-03-12T10:35:41Z

X-ray computed microtomography of spiral garnets: A new test of how they form Aerden, Domingo Gerard; Ruiz Fuentes, Alejandro Garnet porphyroblasts with spiral shaped inclusion trails of two micaschist samples have been investigated with X-ray computed tomography. For each garnet crystal, the orientation of its internal Foliation Intersection/Inflexion Axes (FIA) was measured, its volume and shape orientation, the latter via calculation of best-fit ellipsoids. Additionally, image analysis of inclusion trails was performed in slices passing through garnet centres oriented normal to FIA. Our data demonstrate subvertical and subhorizontal preferred orientations of the inclusion trails and of the porphyroblast crystals themselves in both samples. This supports a genetic model in which garnets periodically overgrew a succession of vertical and horizontal foliations during alternating crustal shortening and gravitational collapse without significantly rotating. The fact that both samples come from areas previously identified as regional shear zones supports the idea that porphyroblasts are able to maintain stable positions even in such environments. Our study exemplifies the strength of X-ray computed micro-tomography compared to previous techniques based on serial thin sections for distinguishing multiple FIA sets present in single samples. We thank Mohammad Sayab for performing the X-ray scans of both samples at the Geological Survey of Finland with financial support of Academy of Finland RAMI infrastructure project (#293109). This research was supported by projects CGL2016-80687-R AEI/FEDER of the Spanish government, project RNM148 of the regional government of Andalusia, and a Ph.D. scholarship awarded to A. Ruiz-Fuentes (FPU17/01874) by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte.

Milena-Pérez, A. Piñero García, Francisco Benavente Herrera, José Exposito-Suárez, V. W. Vacas-Arquero, P. Ferro García, María Ángeles https://hdl.handle.net/10481/109889 2026-01-19T12:09:59Z

Uranium content and uranium isotopic disequilibria as a tool to identify hydrogeochemical processes Milena-Pérez, A.; Piñero García, Francisco; Benavente Herrera, José; Exposito-Suárez, V. W.; Vacas-Arquero, P.; Ferro García, María Ángeles This paper studies the uranium content and uranium isotopic disequilibria as a tool to identify hydrogeochemical processes from 52 groundwater samples in the province of Granada (Betic Cordillera, southeastern Spain). According to the geological complexity of the zone, three groups of samples have been considered. In Group 1 (thermal waters; longest residence time), the average uranium content was 2.63 ± 0.16 μg/L, and 234U/238U activity ratios (AR) were the highest of all samples, averaging 1.92 ± 0.30. In Group 2 (mainly springs from carbonate aquifers; intermediate residence time), dissolved uranium presented an average value of 1.34 ± 0.13 μg/L, while AR average value was 1.38 ± 0.25. Group 3 comes from pumping wells in a highly anthropized alluvial aquifer. In this group, where the residence time of the groundwater is the shortest of the three, average uranium content was 5.28 ± 0.26 μg/L, and average AR is the lowest (1.17 ± 0.12). In addition, the high dissolved uranium value and the low AR brought to light the contribution of fertilizers (Group 3). In the three groups, 235U/238U activity ratios were similar to the natural value of 0.046. Therefore, 235U detected in the samples comes from natural sources. This study is completed with the determination of major ions and physicochemical parameters in the groundwater samples and the statistical analysis of the data by using the Principal Component Analysis. This calculation indicates the correlation between uranium isotopes and bicarbonate and nitrate anions. The authors wish to thank the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), given its support to the Radiochemistry and Environmental Radiology Laboratory of the University of Granada since 1993 as a member of the laboratories of the Spanish Sparse Network for Environmental Surveillance.

Martínez Moreno, Francisco José Galindo Zaldívar, Jesús Liñán Baena, C González Castillo, María Lourdes Benavente Herrera, José Martínez-Martos, M Del Rosal Padial, Y Fernández Rodríguez, L. E. Tendero Salmeron, Víctor Madarieta-Txurruka, A https://hdl.handle.net/10481/109887 2026-01-19T12:02:32Z

Development and collapse of karstic cavities in folded marbles: Geomorphological and geophysical evidences in Nerja Cave (southern Spain) Martínez Moreno, Francisco José; Galindo Zaldívar, Jesús; Liñán Baena, C; González Castillo, María Lourdes; Benavente Herrera, José; Martínez-Martos, M; Del Rosal Padial, Y; Fernández Rodríguez, L. E.; Tendero Salmeron, Víctor; Madarieta-Txurruka, A Karstic evolution leads to the growth and collapse of cavities by the interaction between geological structures and the hydrogeological framework. Nerja Cave developed within marbles belonging to the Alpujarride complex of the Internal Zones in the Betic Cordillera of Spain. The residual gravity anomaly map of the karstified areas –surrounding the known Nerja Cave– may indicate a likely elongated parallel cave system, N-S oriented, unknown up to present, and formed by both small shallow and large deep caves below a nearby hill located north-westwards to the known cave. At the east hillside, a moderate gravity anomaly minimum and geomorphological evidence (vertical walls and sunken terrains) suggest the presence of an old collapsed cave. At the west hillside, a marked gravity minimum is associated with a strongly folded marble layer without evidence of collapse. An electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profile across the hill –in the E-W direction– supports an interpretation of several voids, two of the bigger ones located on either side of the hill. The combination of geomorphological, ERT and gravity forward modelling indicate the location of unknown caves, one of them partially collapsed. These caves, located at a higher topographic level than the known Nerja Cave, may represent an early stage of cave development, and suggest the preferred dissolution of some layers in the folded marbles. This field example provides new insights on the interaction of structure in the karstic evolution that determines the cavity stability. The authors wish to thank the Nerja Cave Research Institute for its support. In addition, we thank ENADIMSA Company for gravity data and the Speleology Club of Nerja Cave (David Jimena, Alfonso Atencia, Eduardo de la Monja, Adolfo Moyano) for their essential help in the acquisition of the profile. We would like to acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their positive comments, which have contributed to improve the original manuscript. This research was founded by projects 4427-00 from Nerja Cave Foundation, FCT/UIDB/50019/2020 – IDL (founded by FCT, Portugal) and CGL2016-80687-R (AEI/FERDER) from Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and RNM148 group, project AGORA P18-RT-3275 and PAPEL B-RNM-301-UGR18 from Junta de Andalucía-FEDER.

Llamas, Marta Inés Jiménez Gavilán, Pablo Luque-Espinar, J. A. Benavente Herrera, José Candela, Lucía Sanmiguel-Martí, M Rambla-Nebot, J Aranda-Mares, Jose Luis Vadillo-Pérez, Iñaki https://hdl.handle.net/10481/109877 2026-01-19T11:12:05Z

Hydrogeological, hydrodynamic and anthropogenic factors affecting the spread of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in water resources of the Granada plain (Spain) Llamas, Marta Inés; Jiménez Gavilán, Pablo; Luque-Espinar, J. A.; Benavente Herrera, José; Candela, Lucía; Sanmiguel-Martí, M; Rambla-Nebot, J; Aranda-Mares, Jose Luis; Vadillo-Pérez, Iñaki The anthropogenic organic contaminants contemplated in the environmental legislation, as well as those of emerging concern, threaten the quality of water resources to a degree that remains largely unknown. Contaminant exposure in the aquatic environment is a crucial element if a full understanding of the risk is pursued. There are still many uncertainties about the occurrence of organic pollutants and behavior in the hydro(geo)logical media in large scale areas. The case study of the unconfined aquifer of the Granada Plain (approximately 200 km2) is presented here. Two surface and groundwater monitoring campaigns were conducted (March 2017 and June 2018). In total, 41 out of 171 target organic pollutants were detected, at least once: 17 pharmaceuticals or drugs of abuse, 21 pesticides or their metabolites and three polyaromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, physico-chemical parameters were measured during the monitoring campaigns and hydrochemical parameters and stable isotopes (δ2H, δ18O, δ13C) were analyzed. Statistical tests confirmed the significance of seasonal changes for some of these parameters (e.g., EC, Cl-, F-, δ18O, δ13C), revealing the influence from snowmelt water input on streams and the intensification of irrigation. In March 2017, the group of pesticides (largely represented by triazines) predominated, whereas the frequency of detection of pharmaceuticals increased substantially in June 2018. Results suggest four main factors affecting the spatial and seasonal variation of organic pollutants in the aquifer: the anthropogenic factor determining the period of contaminant release throughout the year (pesticide application period and growth of tourism) along with irrigation practices that include reclaimed wastewater; unsaturated zone thickness; hydraulic gradient and river-groundwater hydraulic connection. The latter can be especially important in the case of those contaminants whose main path of entry into the aquatic environment occurs through wastewater discharge into streams (i.e., pharmaceuticals). This article is a contribution to the Research Groups RNM-308 and RNM 128 of the “Junta de Andalucía” and the project “Study, detection and behavior of emerging contaminants in anthropized watersheds in Andalusia-EMAN (P20_397)”. We are grateful to technical translation specialists GeoTranslations for proofreading the English version. We would also like to thank the Associate Editor, and the anonymous reviewers, who largely contributed to the improvement of the manuscript.