Processes that can disturb the chronostratigraphy of laminated sediments and pollen deposition

The sediment trap technique was used to study the sedimentation processes in two parts of Lake Goci, central Poland, the deep of the main basin and the shallow bay area. From field and lab data was noted that seasonal and annual deposition of pollen grains on the lake bottom was disturbed in the main basin by an increase in water mass dynamics and by resuspension and focusing. Greater concordance between pollen sedimentation and the flowering periods of plants was found in the bay area, where sediment resuspension took place sporadically and with less intensity, compared to the main basin. Futhermore, it is suggested that resuspension of pollen can occur even if laminated sediments are formed, a process which therby diminishes the chronostratigraphic value of sediments and pollen analyses.     

Assessment of climate change and associated impact on selected sectors in Poland

The present paper offers a brief assessment of climate change and associated impact in Poland, based on selected results of the Polish–Norwegian CHASE-PL project. Impacts are examined in selected sectors, such as water resources, natural hazard risk reduction, environment, agriculture and health. Results of change detection in long time series of observed climate and climate impact variables in Poland are presented. Also, projections of climate variability and change are provided for time horizons of 2021–2050 and 2071–2100 for two emission scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 in comparison with control period, 1971–2000. Based on climate projections, examination of future impacts on sectors is also carried out. Selected uncertainty issues relevant to observations, understanding and projections are tackled as well.     

Variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 6362

We report the results of a CCD search for short-period variables in the field of a southern globular cluster NGC 6362. We identified 19 new candidate variables, five of which are cluster RR Lyraes, four are probable SX Phe-type stars and eight are eclipsing binaries. Of the discovered binaries, three are EA-type systems, two of which are located on the cluster CMD in the turn-off region and the third 1 mag above the turn-off point, in the yellow straggler region. Five other systems are of W UMa type, three of which are foreground objects and two are likely cluster members. The remaining two candidates exhibit a modulation of the brightness level with an amplitude of 0.1–0.2 mag; further observations are needed to reveal the nature of their variability. Phased VI light curves for 20 variables (18 RR Lyrae stars and two blue stragglers) located in the central region of the cluster are presented.     

Evolution of the Upper Rhone River discharge and suspended sediment load during the last 80 years and some implications for Lake Geneva

: During this century, the characteristics of the Upper Rhone River discharge, flowing into Lake Geneva, have been altered in response to the changes which have occurred in its watershed. Principally, numerous hydroelectric dams have been constructed on the course of the Rhone River tributaries. At present the major reservoirs can hold about 122010⁶m³ of water, which represents 1/5 of the total annual Rhone River flow. Flow regime characteristics of the river have been modified by the dam operations. Water is released from reservoirs during winter and stored in summer. Large floods have also been reduced in amplitude and frequency. From the available literature data, sediment rating curves have been calculated and used to estimate the evolution of the sediment load from the Rhone River to Lake Geneva. They show that sediment input has decreased by at least a factor 2. This reduction has impacted the occurrence of underflows along the lake bottom, due to the reduction of sediment-laden floods, which in turn may have considerable negative effects on the reoxygenation of Lake Geneva deep waters.     

Formaldehyde in Various Forms of Atmospheric Precipitation and Deposition from Highly Urbanized Regions

Formaldehyde levels were determined in various forms of atmospheric precipitation (rain, snow, road and roof runoff, throughfall) and deposition (rime, hoarfrost, dew) collected over twelve months at various locations in two large urban agglomerations and along two highways. HCHO was found in 303 of 500 samples analyzed, with concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 10.7 mg/dm³. The results confirmed the significant effect of vehicular traffic on formaldehyde levels in various forms of wet deposition. Correlations of formaldehyde levels with other parameters commonly monitored in precipitation and/or deposition were also examined. No correlation was found between HCHO levels and rain volume. On the other hand, positive correlations were found for hydrogen peroxide, non-sea-salt sulphate, nitrate, ammonia, and total organic carbon (TOC). In addition, the effect of selected meteorological parameters (temperature, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall) on the concentration of formaldehyde in various forms of precipitation and runoff (road runoff, roof runoff, throughfall) was studied. The only correlation found was that between HCHO concentration and daily rainfall.     

Eclogite and garnet pyroxenite from Stor Jougdan,Seve Nappe Complex,Sweden: implications for UHP metamorphism of allochthons in the Scandinavian Caledonides

Ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism (UHPM) has recently been discovered in far‐travelled allochthons of the Scandinavian Caledonides, including finding of diamond in the Seve Nappe Complex. This UHPM of Late Ordovician age is older and less recognized than that in the Western Gneiss Region of southwestern Norway, which was related to terminal collision between Baltica and Laurentia. Here we report new evidence of UHPM in the Lower Seve Nappe, recorded by eclogite and garnet pyroxenite from the area of Stor Jougdan in northern Jämtland, central Sweden. Peak‐metamorphic assemblage of eclogite, garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + coesite? yields P–T conditions of 2.8–4.0 GPa and 750–900 °C, constrained by conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling in the NCKFMTASH system. The prograde metamorphic evolution of the eclogite is inferred from inclusions of zoisite and amphibole in garnet, which are stable at lower pressure, whereas the retrograde evolution is recorded by formation of diopsidic clinopyroxene + plagioclase symplectites after omphacite, growth of amphibole replacing these symplectites, and of titanite around rutile. In garnet pyroxenite the peak‐metamorphic assemblage consists of garnet + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + olivine. P–T conditions of 2.3–3.8 GPa and 810–960 °C have been derived based on the conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling in the CFMASH and CFMAS systems. Retrograde evolution has been recognized from replacement of pyroxene and garnet by amphibole. The results show that eclogite was metamorphosed during deep subduction of continental crust, most probably derived from the continental margin of Baltica, whereas the origin and tectonic setting of the garnet pyroxenite is ambiguous. The studied pyroxenite/peridotite of Baltican subcontinental affinity could have been metamorphosed as a part of the subducting plate and exhumed due to the downward extraction of a forearc lithospheric block.     

Groundwater supply of lakes: the case of Lake Raduńskie Górne (northern Poland,Kashubian Lake District)

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to locate and describe groundwater outflows in a selected lake basin and measure the spring output of water and the physical characteristics of the studied waters (temperature and conductivity). The final aim was to gauge the effects of the spring output on the lake hydrology. The time scope of the work included the period from January 2011 to September 2012. The spatial scope of the work included the area of Lake Raduńskie Górne and its direct catchment located in the Kashubian Lake District in northern Poland. Four groundwater outflows were located in the course of the study. Their total output was 4.6 L s^?1 and ranged between 0.5 and 2.5 L s^?1. This produces an annual yield of about 145 000 m³ year^?1. These results confirm that one of the forms of supply to the lakes are the under-lake springs. For lakes located in the area of young glacial accumulation this can be decisive.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis Associate editor D. Gerten     

Application of one-dimensional model to calculate water velocity distributions over elastic elements simulating Canadian waterweed plants (Elodea Canadensis)

One-dimensional model for vertical profiles of longitudinal velocities in open-channel flows is verified against laboratory data obtained in an open channel with artificial plants. Those plants simulate Canadian waterweed which in nature usually forms dense stands that reach all the way to the water surface. The model works particularly well for densely spaced plants.