Mineralogy and trace element relative solubility patterns of shallow marine sediments affected by submarine tailings disposal and artisanal gold mining,Buyat-Ratototok district,North Sulawesi,Indonesia

Shallow marine sediments of the Buyat-Ratototok district of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, are affected by submarine disposal of industrial gold mine tailings and small-scale gold mining using mercury amalgamation. Industrial mine tailings contained 590–660 ppm arsenic, 490–580 ppm antimony, and 0.8–5.8 ppm mercury. Electron microprobe survey found both colloidal iron–arsenic-phases without sulphur and arsenian pyrite in tailings and sites to which tailings had dispersed, but only arsenopyrite in sediments affected by artisanal mining. Antimony in tailings was present as antimony oxides, colloidal iron–antimony phases, colloidal iron–antimony phases, and stibnite in sediments affected by both types of mining. A sequential extraction found that 2% of arsenic held in tailings and tailings-contaminated sediments was exchangeable, 20–30% was labile, including weakly adsorbed, carbonate- and arsenate bound, 20–30% was metastable, probably incorporated into iron or manganese oxyhydroxides, or strongly adsorbed to silicate minerals, and 40–48% was relatively insoluble, probably incorporated into sulphides or silicates. Arsenic in sediments affected by artisanal gold mining was 75–95% relatively insoluble. Antimony in all sediments was >90% relatively insoluble. Relative solubility patterns of most other metals did not differ between industrial tailings-affected, artisanal-mining affected areas, and fluvial sediments. Results suggest that submarine tailings disposal is not suitable for refractory Carlin-like gold deposits because ore processing converts arsenic to forms unstable in anoxic marine sediments. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Heavy metal concentrations in shallow marine sediments affected by submarine tailings disposal and artisanal gold mining,Buyat-Ratototok district,North Sulawesi,Indonesia

Trace element concentrations in shallow marine sediments of the Buyat-Ratototok district of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, are affected by submarine disposal of industrial gold mine tailings and unregulated dumping of tailings and wastewater from small-scale gold mining using mercury amalgamation. Industrial mine tailings contained 590–690 ppm arsenic, 490–580 ppm antimony, and 0.8–5.8 ppm mercury. Tailings-affected sediment As and Sb concentrations were 20–30 times higher than in muddy sediments not contaminated with tailings, and 50–60 times higher than pre-mining average. Highest mercury concentrations were observed in sediments affected by small-scale mining using mercury amalgamation (5–29 ppm). Concentrations of most other trace elements were comparable in sediments affected by both types of mining and were slightly higher than regional averages for sediments collected before the onset of industrial mining. Elevated concentrations of both As and Sb in approximately equal proportions suggest tailings dispersal of at least 3.5 km. Mercury released from artisanal gold mining dispersed up to 4 km from river mouths. Slight increases in concentrations of non-mercury trace elements in areas affected by artisanal mining over pre-industrial mining concentrations were probably caused by increased rates of erosion. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Geological and anthropogenic influences on sediment metal composition in the upper Paracatu River Basin, Brazil

This work reports a geochemical study of sediments from the upper Paracatu River Basin. The objective is to define the influences of Au, Zn, and Pb mineral deposits and mining activities on the sediment metal sources, distribution, and accretion. The samples were analyzed using ICP/OES, AAS, and XRD techniques and were treated with principal components analysis and the geo-accumulation index. The main geochemical processes that control the sediment composition are pyrite oxidation, muscovite weathering, carbonate dissolution, and the erosion of oxisols enriched with Zn and Pb. The upper Rico Stream has high Al, Fe, Cu, Cr, Co, and Mn concentrations due erosion of oxisols and pyrite oxidation and muscovite alteration present in the parental rock. The artisanal alluvial gold mining increased the primary rock-minerals?? weathering and Hg sediment concentration. The lower Escuro River and Santa Catarina Stream are enriched with Zn and Pb due the erosion of metal-rich soils formed over galena, sphalerite, calamine, and willemite mineral deposits located upstream. Elements such as Ca, Mg, and Ba have low concentrations throughout the sampled area due the high solubility of these metals-bearing minerals. The dispersion of metals is limited by the basin geomorphology and their affinity to silt-clayey minerals and Fe and Mn oxides and hydroxides in circumneutral pH waters.     

Mercury pollution in two gold mining areas of the Brazilian Amazon

Gold has been exploited intensively in the Brazilian Amazon during the past fifteen years using garimpo methods (small-scale gold mining). In this study, two gold mining areas were investigated, the municipalities of Pocone and Alta Floresta located in the state of Mato Grosso. Central Brazil. The elemental mercury (Hg) used in amalgamating the gold, the final stage of the ore dressing process, has caused abnormal Hg concentrations in waterways. This has occurred principally in the Amazon region, where most of the ore prospected is alluvial. Background levels of metals were determined by analyzing sediments and soils located upstream of the anthropogenic inputs and unaffected by mining activities. The study aimed to evaluate the pollution level in sediments and soils, taking into account drainage waters directly affected by gold mining. ‘Geoaccumulation indexes’ (Igeo) of Hg in sediments from both study areas were used to assesses the pollution level in the aquatic environment. The geoaccumulation indexes of Hg in sediments of the Bento Gomes River in Pocone indicate a relatively high degree of pollution at some sites, even reaching class 4 (1.85 mg/kg). However, when the river reaches the Pantanal swamp, Hg concentrations drop considerably to 0.30 mg/kg. This drop seems to be due to accumulation of metals in the sediments of a lake (sampling site PG-24), which retains most of the sediments transported by the Bento Gomes River. Accumulation of metals in the lake also occurred for Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and Mn. In the region of Alta Floresta, total Hg concentrations in sediments of the Teles Pires River were studied in the grain size fractions < 74 μm and > 74 μm. Hg concentrations in bottom sediments of this river were higher than those found in the Pocone region, with increases of 1.5 to 30 times the background, and thus reaching an Igeo up to class 5.     

Mercury contents in the vertical profiles through alluvial sediments as a reflection of mining in Idrija (Slovenia)

The influence of geomorphological factors to Hg contamination of the Idrijca River alluvial sediments because of the historical mining and ore roasting activities has been studied. Main source of Hg in alluvial sediments was dumping of ore roasting residues and mining waste into the river channel and its erosion downstream. The position of the material in relation to the geomorphological properties is highly related with its Hg content. Floodplains were found to be the most contaminated geomorphological units (mean Hg content 335 mg/kg), with Hg concentration rapidly dropping in the first terrace (155 mg/kg). The least contaminated material was found in the higher terraces (3.8 mg/kg). Sampling upstream Idrija (average Hg content is 22.1 mg/kg) shows that not only mine and ore roasting plant increased Hg levels in alluvial deposits but also contaminated sites upstream Idrija contribute to Hg contamination. Geochemical background for alluvial sediments for this area is estimated to be 0.75 mg/kg. Downstream Idrija, 9 hotspots were determined where highly contaminated material is actively eroded and carries a high risk of further contamination of the So?a River and northern Adriatic Sea ecosystems.     

Assessment of Hg-contamination in soils and stream sediments in the mineral district of Nambija,Ecuadorian Amazon (example of an impacted area affected by artisanal gold mining)

The Nambija Mineral District (NMD) is located in the southeastern part of Ecuador, east of Zamora (Zamora Chinchípe's country), Ecuadorian Amazon. In this district, Au occurrences have been know since colonial and pre-colonial times, but only after the early 1980s has intensive artisanal Au mining activity been developed. Currently, the different NMD Au occurrences continue to be exploited by artisanal operations and are difficult to control in the study area. The environmental impacts due to Au mining are a consequence of the illegal situation and deficiency in controlling the techniques of ore exploitation. The Au extraction is carried out by outdoor amalgamation, so the indiscriminate use of Hg by artisanal miners, associated with careless methods of tailings disposal, has caused occupational exposure and environmental degradation. The present study evaluated the geochemical dispersion and concentrations of local contamination of metallic Hg in soils, stream sediments and mine tailings in the NMD area. This article aims to contribute to the discussion of environmental changes caused by the artisanal Au mining in the Nambija district. A total of 82 samples (32 soil, 40 stream sediment and 10 mine tailings) were analyzed. The results were compared with the Hg levels in soil and stream sediments considered not to be contaminated in the Nambija mining area and in other areas where Hg is mined in the Amazon basin. In this work, mean total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations of 1.7 μg g⁻¹ in soils and 2.7 μg g⁻¹ in stream sediments have been found. Mercury values in the mine tailing samples revealed values ranging from 89 to 1555 μg g⁻¹. The results found for Hg in the different analyzed materials pointed to contamination of the studied area by this metal, while soil erosion is responsible for an increase in stream sediment's T-Hg concentrations in the different aquatic ecosystems of the Nambija Creek and Nambija River.     

Flood and alluviation caused by iron sand minings (kanna-nagashi) in the Chugoku mountains, southwestern Japan

The rapid development of the western Okayama plain between 1600 and 1900 was largely influenced by much supply of tailings derived from the iron sand mining in the upper reaches of the river Takahashi. This is evidenced by the high frequency of floods in this period and the high percentage of granitic materials including iron slag grains in the alluvial sediments.     

Iron ore mining promotes iron enrichment in sediments of the Gualaxo do Norte River basin,Minas Gerais State,Brazil

The objective of the present study is to assess the influence of iron ore mining on Fe concentrations in fluvial sediments of the Gualaxo do Norte River basin (Minas Gerais State, Brazil). Initially background values were determined for Fe by means of the boxplot representation, the iterative 2σ technique and the calculated distribution function, using geochemical data obtained for alluvial terraces. Geochronologic analyses in carbonaceous materials attested for the proposed background values. After that, chemical analyses of active drainage sediments collected along the entire basin were carried out and a geochemical map of the study area was prepared. The mean background value for Fe is relatively high (8.2 wt %), when compared to the Fe concentration in the Earth’s crust (5.6 wt %). Such background value is strongly associated with the geological characteristics of the region. It was observed that most of the high Fe concentrations were detected in active sediments collected in the main river of the basin and not in its tributaries. This suggests that Fe enrichment is not only linked to the local geology but also to possible increase resulting from accidental leakage of iron ore mining tailings from containment dams and lakes upstream. It is suggested that measures that help stop or minimize such impact be adopted. The large capacity of Fe to adsorb and form complexes with toxic metals implicates in environmental hazards that may not be restricted only to the Gualaxo do Norte river basin, but may affect the other basins downstream.     

山东惠民凹陷中央隆起带古近系沙河街组层序地层特征及控制因素研究

结合山东惠民凹陷中央隆起带古近系层序地层学研究,依据层序中湖平面变化特点和相应的沉积物特征,提出了构造运动和气候是本区层序地层发育的主要控制因素。中央隆起带古近系沙河街组二、三、四亚段可划分为 3种层序类型,即断陷初期型、强断陷期型和断陷后期型层序。由于构造运动导致湖岸线向盆地方向退缩,产生下降体系域,本次研究采用了体系域的四分法,即一个完整层序由低位、湖侵、高位和下降四个体系域组成,并且层序界面位于湖平面最大下降的位置,介于下降域和低位域之间。断陷初期红色地层层序,受气候因素控制明显,既不同于冲积地层层序,也不同于正常湖相地层层序,在层序演化上有其独特的特点。受构造作用和沉积物补给条件的影响,研究区发育三种沉积密集段,不同类型的沉积密集段在层序中所处位置不同,控制着不同的烃源岩厚度和油气资源储量。     

珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd元素的分布特征及成因

根据珠江三角洲平原区44个钻孔揭示的第四系,对晚更新世以来沉积物的地球化学特征进行了系统分析,结合沉积物粒度,探讨了珠江三角洲平原区第四纪沉积物Cd的分布特征、高含量来源及迁移富集规律。研究结果表明：①珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物的Cd含量地区差异较大,西江、北江冲积区为主要富集区,而潭江和东江冲积区为背景区。②物质来源、沉积物粒度、沉积环境与有机质含量共同影响了珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd的含量分布,西江、北江冲积区受控于富Cd的泥盆系、石炭系砂页岩,而东江、潭江冲积区主要由贫Cd的燕山期花岗岩等限定;沉积物平均粒径（φ值）与Cd含量存在显著正相关关系;另外,温暖湿润、海陆交互作用强烈的沉积环境与富含有机质的地区有利于Cd的聚积富集。③西江、北江流域相对富Cd岩石风化的产物,特别是具高强度Cd含量的铅锌多金属矿区,是西江、北江冲积区Cd高含量的主要来源。④珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd的高含量区分成西江、北江西北部和东南濒海两大片区,究其原因,前者由区域发育的铅锌多金属矿控制,后者则受海陆交互作用沉积环境的影响。     

Volcanic domes and gold mineralization in the Pueblo Viejo district, Dominican Republic

Gold mineralization in the Pueblo Viejo district, Dominican Republic, is spatially and temporally related to a series of Early Cretaceous volcanic domes. Separate but overlapping hydrothermal cells, centered on the domes, together deposited more than 40 million oz. of gold, 240 million oz. of silver, 3 million tonnes of zinc, and 0.4 million tonnes of copper. Two principal deposits (Moore and Monte Negro) and a number of smaller deposits (Cumba, Mejita, Upper Mejita, Banco V, Arroyo Hondo I and II) have contributed ore since mining commenced in 1975. New geologic mapping has identified a series of previously unrecognized volcanic domes that vary from andesite to dacite in composition. A dacite porphyry dome intrudes epiclastic sediments in the Moore deposit and is surrounded by a baked contact metamorphic aureole. Crumble breccias of mixed epiclastic and pyroclastic origin mantle andesite domes in the Monte Negro, Cumba, and Mejita deposits. Epiclastic volcanic sediments surrounding each of the domes reflect the composition of the local source rock. Andesite domes of the Monte Negro deposit are surrounded by andesitic volcaniclastic sediments. Epiclastic sediments surrounding a dacite porphyry dome in the Moore deposit contain detrital quartz eyes and debris flows of dacite porphyry. A series of at least seven volcanic centers interfinger, overlap, and are interbedded with locally derived epiclastic sediments. Field relations indicate that volcanic dome emplacement, epiclastic sediment accumulation, hydrothermal alteration, and gold mineralization were coeval events. Domes were emplaced in a shallow subaqueous environment on the flanks of an emergent volcanic edifice. Hydrothermal cells responsible for gold mineralization are controlled by high-angle faults. These same faults influenced the emplacement of volcanic domes, an essential step in the development of gold ore in the Pueblo Viejo district. Received: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 29 September 1999     

Migration and speciation transformation mechanisms of mercury in undercurrent zones of the Tongguan gold mining area,Shaanxi Loess Plateau and impact on the environment

In order to study the migration and transformation mechanism of Hg content and occurrence form in subsurface flow zone of gold mining area in Loess Plateau and its influence on water environment, the field in-situ infiltration test and laboratory test were carried out in three typical sections of river-side loess, alluvial and proluvial strata in Tongguan gold mining area of Shaanxi Province, and the following results were obtained: (1) The source of Hg in subsurface flow zone is mainly caused by mineral processing activities; (2) the subsurface flow zone in the study area is in alkaline environment, and the residual state, iron and manganese oxidation state, strong organic state and humic acid state of mercury in loess are equally divided in dry and oxidizing environment; mercury in river alluvial or diluvial strata is mainly concentrated in silt, tailings and clayey silt soil layer, and mercury has certain stability, and the form of mercury in loess is easier to transform than the other two media; (3) under the flooding condition, most of mercury is trapped in the silt layer in the undercurrent zone where the sand and silt layers alternate with each other and the river water and groundwater are disjointed, and the migration capacity of mercury is far less than that of loess layer and alluvial layer with close hydraulic connection; (4) infiltration at the flood level accelerates the migration of pollutants to the ground; (5) the soil in the undercurrent zone is overloaded and has seriously exceeded the standard. Although the groundwater monitoring results are safe this time, relevant enterprises or departments should continue to pay attention to improving the gold extraction process, especially vigorously rectify the small workshops for illegal gold extraction and the substandard discharge of the three wastes, and intensify efforts to solve the geological environmental problems of mines left over from history. At present, the occurrence form of mercury in the undercurrent zone is relatively stable, but the water and soil layers have been polluted. The risk of disjointed groundwater pollution can not be ignored while giving priority to the treatment of loess and river alluvial landform areas with close hydraulic links. The research results will provide a scientific basis for water conservancy departments to groundwater prevention and control in water-deficient areas of the Loess Plateau.     

Postglacial stratigraphic evolution of a current-influenced sandy shelf: offshore Kujukuri strandplain,central Japan

Sandy shelf sediments are important elements of clastic sedimentary systems because of their wide distribution in the geological record and their significance as hydrocarbon reservoirs. Although many studies have investigated shelf sediments influenced by waves or tidal currents, little is known about shelf sediments influenced by oceanic currents, particularly their lithofacies characteristics and stratigraphic evolution. This study investigated the stratigraphic evolution of shelf sediments off the Kujukuri strandplain facing the Pacific Ocean, which is influenced by the strong Kuroshio Current. Sediment cores were obtained from six locations on the Kujukuri shelf (34 to 124 m water depth) using a vibrocorer. The dominant lithofacies is mud-free sand with low-angle cross-lamination associated with alternating beds of finer and coarser sand with cross-lamination. These display depositional processes influenced by storm waves and the Kuroshio Current, respectively. This finding is consistent with the previously presented modern and historical observations of the Kuroshio Current and estimates of the storm-wave base. Radiocarbon dates show that the sediment succession formed during the last transgressive and highstand stages after 13·1 ka. The depositional processes during the stages represent a transition from storm waves with abundant sediment supply to both storm waves and the Kuroshio Current with sediment starvation mainly due to its trapping in the strandplain. Comparison to other Holocene–Modern shelf systems suggests that the sandy shelf successions are strongly influenced by oceanic currents under conditions of limited riverine input and open coastal geometry. The resultant sand-dominated succession is characterized by reversal of the proximal to distal grain-size trend compared to the fining for most other recognized wave/storm-dominated shelf successions. This is because of seaward increase in the influence of the Kuroshio Current. Thus, shelf deposits are naturally complex, and these may be further complicated by the additional influence of oceanic currents above the usual wave-dominated and tide-dominated end members.     

Genetic types of metaconglomerates at the Paleoproterozoic basement of the Krivoi Rog iron ore basin

The Paleoproterozoic basement of the Krivoi Rog iron ore basin comprises five genetically different lithopetrographic types of metaconglomerates that make up stratigraphic and lithofacies successions ranging from the proluvial to shallow-basin formations. The dominant type is represented by the basal flow (proluvial and alluvial) metaconglomerates. Variations in the lithopetrography of metaconglomerates reflect the evolution of paleofacies and paleotectonic constraints.     

1:25000沟系沉积物地球化学测量方法有效性探讨——以东昆仑巴隆地区为例

青海东昆仑地区是青海省重要的金、铜、铁多金属成矿区,1∶250 000、1∶50 000水系沉积物地球化学测量工作在该区域圈定了众多的异常区,但总体查证程度偏低。为实现该区域找矿重大突破,选定巴隆地区部署开展了以采集水系沉积物为主、残坡积岩屑物质为辅的1∶25 000沟系沉积物地球化学测量工作,取得了较为突出的找矿效果。该项工作表明,在青海省东昆仑地区,1∶25 000沟系沉积物地球化学测量方法是一种有效的地质找矿工作手段。该方法能有效克服东昆仑地区北部水系不发育、风成物干扰严重,南部高山区碎石流发育、影响水系沉积物汇聚等因素对找矿的干扰,相对传统的地质找矿方法在异常查证过程中的适用性、可操作性更强,找矿效果好,能实现矿体的精确定位,对东昆仑的地质找矿工作具有借鉴作用。     

Bryolithochemical studies in the search for and evaluation of gold-silver mineralization based on stream sediments (northeastern Russia)

The first bryolithochemical studies have been carried out within the Dukat ore field (Balygychan-Sugoi trough, northeastern Russia), in its northeast (Dukat Au-Ag deposit, Chaika site) and on its eastern flank (Au-Ag ore occurrence, Piritovyi site). Sampling was made along primary water streams draining Au-Ag ore zones, because the headstreams localized in the permafrost zone are poor in alluvial sediments or lack them, whereas the stream banks and beds are overgrown with aquatic and semiaquatic mosses. We examined samples of moss cushions with loose sediments (fine silt suspension and sand-silt material). The study has shown that moss cushions are an effective natural trap extracting finely dispersed, ultradisperse, and colloid-dispersed particles, including ore ones, from water stream suspension. The contents of major elements indicating Au-Ag mineralization (Au, Ag, Hg, Sb, As, Pb, and Zn) in the bryolithochemical and lithochemical samples were compared. The highest contents of these elements have been revealed in the bryolithochemical samples. Scintillation analysis shows a predominance of finely dispersed Au and Ag particles. The chemical composition of lithoparticles and probable species of elements indicating mineralization were studied by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. It has been concluded that the bryolithochemical stream sediments are an integral part of the lithochemical ones and can also be effectively used to reveal geochemical anomalies and identify the corresponding ores. It is shown that the bryolithochemical sediment streams bear important information about the chemical composition of primary ores, as they have the same major indicator elements (Au, Ag, Hg, Sb, As, Pb, and Zn) and nearly the same mineral composition (finely dispersed gold and silver, electrum, silver sulfosalts, and simple sulfides). The proposed bryolithochemical research is promising not only for northeastern Russia but also for other areas with similar landscapes, primarily areas where lithochemical and bryolithochemical stream sediments form in the northern subarctic and arctic environments.     

Inhibition of dissolution within shallow water carbonate sediments: impacts of terrigenous sediment input on syn-depositional carbonate diagenesis

The early diagenetic chemical dissolution of skeletal carbonates has previously been documented as taking place within bioturbated, shallow water, tropical carbonate sediments. The diagenetic reactions operating within carbonate sediments that fall under the influence of iron‐rich (terrigenous) sediment input are less clearly understood. Such inputs should modify carbonate diagenetic reactions both by minimizing bacterial sulphate reduction in favour of bacterial iron reduction, and by the reaction of any pore‐water sulphide with iron oxides, thereby minimizing sulphide oxidation and associated acidity. To test this hypothesis sediment cores were taken from sites within Discovery Bay (north Jamaica), which exhibit varying levels of Fe‐rich bauxite sediment contamination. At non‐impacted sites sediments are dominated by CaCO₃ (up to 99% by weight). Pore waters from the upper few centimetres of cores show evidence for active sulphate reduction (reduced SO₄/Cl^? ratios) and minor CaCO₃ dissolution (increased Ca²⁺/Cl^? ratios). Petrographic observations of carbonate grains (specifically Halimeda and Amphiroa) show clear morphological evidence for dissolution throughout the sediment column. In contrast, at bauxite‐impacted sites, the sediment is composed of up to 15% non‐carbonate and contains up to 6000 μg g^?1 Fe. Pore waters show no evidence for sulphate reduction, but marked levels of Fe(II), suggesting that bacterial Fe(III) reduction is active. Carbonate grains show little evidence for dissolution, often exhibiting pristine surface morphologies. Samples from the deeper sections of these cores, which pre‐date bauxite influence, commonly exhibit morphological evidence for dissolution implying that this was a significant process prior to bauxite input. Previous studies have suggested that dissolution, driven by sulphate reduction and sulphide oxidation, can account for the loss of as much as 50% of primary carbonate production in localized platform environments. The finding that chemical dissolution is minor in a terrigenous‐impacted carbonate environment, therefore, has significant implications for carbonate budgets and cycling, and the preservation of carbonate grains in such sediment systems.     

A terrestrial-shallow marine transition in the archean opemisca group east of Chapais,Quebec

The Stella and Hauy Formations of the Archean Opemisca Group in the eastern Chapais Syncline feature numerous fluvial to shallow marine transitions throughout the stratigraphic sequence. During the first depositional phase (Stella Formation), relatively high gradient alluvial fans prograde into a shallow marine environment. The coarse clastic sediments reflect a Scott-type depositional environment. The initial depositional environment is envisaged to be a high-energy, wave- and storm (flood) -dominated coastline bordered by coastal alluvial fans. Shallow marine deposits consist of coarse- to very coarse-grained sandstones and intraclast and pebble to cobble conglomerates. The prevalent shallow marine sediments are related to storm and/or flood deposition.Terrigenous sediments of the Donjek-type depositional environment prevail during the second depositional phase (Hauy Formation). The shallow marine sediments, although still wave- and storm (flood) -dominated, are finergrained, and when correlated with the terrigenous sediments imply a lower gradient and a maturing of the coastline. Furthermore, contemporaneous volcanism of andesitic (shoshonitic) to basaltic composition, occurs during this evolutionary stage. The sedimentary basin gradually evolved during the two depositional phases.The repetition of terrigenous and shallow marine sediments throughout the stratigraphic sequence, coarsening- and fining-sequences in the conglomerates, and the alluvial fan setting strongly suggest a fault-bounded basin margin. Tectonic uplift of the hinterland initiates alluvial fan progradation onto the shelf, whereas quiescent periods are documented by marine transgression. The clast composition of the conglomerates and the alluvial fan environment suggest local derivation of clasts.The synvolcanic Chibougamau Pluton and the Lake Dore Complex acted as a stable basement during deposition of the Opemisca Group. The small landmass served as a stable platform for shallow marine deposition, even when tectonically influenced. A late phase intraplutonic (cratonic) development of an initial backarc basin system (internal zone of the Abitibi greenstone belt) is proposed as the overall depositional setting of the Chapais basin.     

Types of sedimentary environment in alluvial sediments distinguished on the basis of its chemical constitution: the example of the lower course of the Obra river (Western Poland)

Research concerning chemical constitution of alluvial sediments was done in the lower course of the Obra river (Western Poland). The fragment of vertical profile, which consisted of various alluvial sediments (fine sands, peats, and sandy silts) was chosen for detailed analysis. The main research problem was to determine if lithology and chemical constitution of alluvial deposits are interconnected in a distinct way within studied section of the Obra river valley, and, if changes of chemical elements’ concentration could be used to illustrate depositional processes, which take place in riverbed and floodplain. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, and K were determined in collected sediment samples. Next, geochemical groups of alluvial sediments were distinguished using cluster analysis. Investigated changes of chemical elements’ concentration show that there is a distinct border between the environment of organic sediments, which marks the place of former functioning of the Obra riverbed, and sandy silts, which were deposited within floodplain during floods. Besides, floodplain sediments, riverbed sediments, and reductive environment within peat deposits were singled out on the basis of the analysis.     

Terraced fills of Pleistocene and Holocene age in the Rheidol Valley,Wales

The legacy of repeated Pleistocene glaciations has endowed many Welsh river valleys with locally thick successions of glacial and alluvial sediments. Investigations of a well-preserved flight of terraced sediments with good exposures at Capel Bangor, on the Afon Rheidol, mid-Wales, has allowed its Quaternary valley fill stratigraphy to be examined in detail. Study has revealed five terraced fills consisting of seven distinct sedimentary units. These range from Late Devensian ice-contact and ice-marginal deposits, to Holocene high-sinuosity stream sediments with episodes of man-induced accelerated deposition of fine-grained alluvium, and to aggradation and subsequent incision associated with historic metal mining. Examination of general sedimentary properties (e.g., granulometry, sedimentary structures, terrace surface morphology) show both differences in the pattern and controls of deposition and also progressive changes over Late Devensian and Holocene times. The sediments of the Rheidol Valley record the response and subsequent recovery of a drainage basin to glaciation, and the increasing influence of man on sediment yields, channel processes, and sediment quality.