Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2017
Volume
Vol. 43
Number
No 2
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 43 (2017)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Basic unit size in the analysis of the distribution of spatial landscape elements on the basis of the lithostratigraphic geodiversity of the Ojców National Park (Poland)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Bartuś, Tomasz
Spatial analyses of landscape element diversity are always carried out on the basis of a previously established analytical grid. It divides the research area into 'n' smaller areas - basic units before calculating various landscape measures for each of them. The selection of an appropriate analytical grid, particularly its cell size, is a key issue for the results obtained and conclusions drawn from them. The article describes the procedure of empirical selection of a basic unit size in the medium-scale landscape and geodiversity analyses employing a regular analytical grid with square cells. The established methodology was based on observations of the distribution of the number of studied feature categories in the analytical grid fields. The correctness measures for the selection of the optimal basic unit size were the distributions themselves, as well as selected descriptive statistical parameters. The conducted analyses accurately illustrate the dependences between the variable size of the basic unit size and the number of the studied feature categories. The research conducted proves that the simple empirical approximation of the optimal basic unit size is possible. The proposed procedure allowed the determination of the optimal basic unit size for the variation of the lithostratigraphic units of the Ojców National Park. The optimal unit size for the accuracy data typical for a reference scale 1:50 000 was specified as 500 m.
The forms of occurrence and geochemistry of sulfides in hard coal deposits of the Libiąż Beds in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Southern Poland
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Bielowicz, Barbara; Misiak, Jacek
Samples of coal from the eastern part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, between Jaworzno and Libiąż, were collected from test boreholes and underground excavations in the Janina Coal Mine, southwest Poland. The No. 111-119 hard coal seams are in the upper part of the Cracow Sandstone Series (the Libiąż Beds, Westphalian D). Macroscopically, iron sulfides (pyrite and marcasite) found in hard coal seams are usually in vein and impregnation forms. On the basis of microscopic observations, the following forms of iron sulfides occurrence in the studied coal were observed: framboidal pyrite, euhedral crystals, skeletal and massive vein forms, or pocket-like (impregnation) forms. On the basis of SEM-EDS analysis and X-ray diffraction it can be stated that the iron sulfides observed in coal are a mixture of pyrite and marcasite. WDS analysis in the micro area revealed the chemical composition of sulfides. The iron sulfides contain admixtures of Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, Au, Ag, Sb, Co, and Ni. There was no As and Cd found in the examined minerals. It has been shown that the tested iron sulfides do not include significant admixtures. There is only a slight enrichment in lead in the vein forms of sulfides. In addition to the iron sulfides, individual inclusions of galena and sphalerite within the pyrite and marcasite have been observed.
Physicochemical and geotechnical properties of an ash-slag mixture deposited on a landfill in terms of its use in engineering
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Szwalec, Artur; Gruchot, Andrzej; Mundała, Paweł; Zawisza, Eugeniusz; Kędzior, Renata
Coal combustion ash-slag mixtures have been deposited in landfills in Poland for decades. At the same time, there is a shortfall in the amount of available materials related to the construction and modernisation of transportation infrastructure. Thus, a typical landfill of a power station was chosen and the aim of the study was to assess the suitability of an ash-slag landfill mixture for construction engineering purposes. The following physicochemical analyses were conducted: pH, specific electrical conductivity and determination of the leachability of basic (Ca, Na, K and Mg) and trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu). The content of selected basic and trace elements were determined in the eluates by FAAS and standard methods were applied for geotechnical analyses. The most likely conditions were assumed to the model. The mixture will not jeopardize surface water quality in terms of the concentrations of basic, hazardous or priority elements. The content of these elements also does not exceed permissible concentrations for groundwater. The conductance and pH of the eluates are in compliance with current laws. The solid mixture has favourable geotechnical parameters which are significantly dependent on moisture content. The slope stability calculations for embankments created from the mixture at optimum moisture content and high compaction ($I_{s} \geq$ 0.95) indicate that they will be stable even in the case of high gradients (1:1.5). The slopes will be unstable in conditions of submersion, which should not occur if we assume the embankment will be used for passive flood protection. The mixture is particularly suitable for the purposes of earth structures, provided that they are isolated from water.
Dendrogeomorphological analysis of landslide activity along the planned S-69 road in the Węgierska Górka municipality (Beskid Śląski Mountains, S Poland)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Wiktorowski, Damian; Krąpiec, Marek; Lutka, Mateusz
Our dendrogeomorphological analysis was completed for 4 landslides, situated in the municipality of Węgierska Górka in the Beskid Śląski Mountains in Southern Poland. The local landslides pose a direct threat to the newly designed S-69 expressway running through the north-western part of the municipality. The research material consisted of 127 samples, collected with the use of a Pressler increment borer, from three species of coniferous trees (Norway spruce, Scots pine, and Silver fir). The landslide activity periods were identified on the basis of the splitting of the dendrochronological curves representing the upslope and downslope parts of the tree trunks. The largest number of the studied trees indicated reactions to substrate mass movements in 1964, 1971, 1972, 1984, 1994, 1997, 1998, and 2010. The detailed locations of the sampled trees allowed us to reconstruct the activities of particular landslide sections in time. We identified the fact that parts of the landslides located downslope of the planned road S-69 are more active than parts of the same landslides located above it on the slope. Geological conditions in the studied area favour landslide activity while precipitation is the main triggering factor of landslides.
An investigation of water level fluctuations in Polish lakes in various phases of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2017) Wrzesiński, Dariusz; Ptak, Mariusz
The North Atlantic Oscillation is a macroscale type of circulation determining climate and hydrological conditions in Europe. The paper presents water level fluctuations in 19 Polish lakes in various phases of NAO of the winter season in the years 1976-2010. Correlations of the winter NAO index with monthly, seasonal, maximum, and minimum water stages, and annual water level amplitudes in lakes were calculated. Approximately 20% of the performed tests showed statistical significance. Lakes were recorded where the correlations were significant in a major part of the year, as well as lakes showing no significant correlations in any month. Deviations of mean water stages in the positive and negative phase of NAO from mean water stages were calculated for each of the lakes. This permitted classifying the lakes into two groups by Ward’s method based on deviations of water stages in the positive and negative phase of NAO$_{DJFM}$ from average values. This resulted in the designation of 4 and 5 typological classes of lakes, respectively. Deviations of water stages in lakes in various phases of NAO$_{DJFM}$ from mean values were determined to even exceed 20 cm. The study results can find practical applications in reference to water retention. In view of the observed environmental changes, it is possible that the hydrotechnical infrastructure on lakes will have to be developed in the future. Such a situation will permit the precise control of water level fluctuations for the purpose of the optimal adaptation of lakes for economic purposes.