Searching for the Parent of the Tunguska Cosmic Body

We present the results of an extensive study of the Tunguska Cosmic Body (TCB) origin on dynamical grounds. To identify the TCB parent, or a plausible candidate, we applied the well-known concept of dynamical similarity whereby we have compared the geocentric and heliocentric dynamical parameters of a selected set of the Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and TCB particles. First, we made use the idea of Kresak by comparing geocentric coordinates of the TCB radiant with those of the NEOs. Second, we studied the long-term dynamical evolution of all NEOs and TCB particles searching for similarities between their heliocentric orbits. As a general result, we observed many more similar cases and a different pattern of the high orbital similarity among the TCB particles and the asteroid orbits than we did for comets.     

Radon-222 in medicinal groundwaters of Szczawno Zdrój (Sudety Mountains, SW Poland)

 Radon is a significant component of the groundwaters that discharge in the springs of Szczawno Zdrój and are recognized as medicinal. However, among the five exploited springs adjoining each other, it is only in Marta Spring that radon occurs in large concentrations (up to 325.6 Bq/dm³). Therefore, the authors have made an attempt to describe and clarify this fact. They found out from their own research and archival data that ²²²Rn dissolves in the waters of Marta Spring after acidulous waters of deep circulation have mixed with poorly mineralized shallow waters in their outflow zone. The genesis of the gas is determined by the content of its parent nuclide, ²²⁶Ra, in the sandstones in the vicinity of the intake. The volume of the rocks providing radon to the waters of this intake has been estimated at several hundred cubic metres. No seasonal fluctuations in radon concentration have been observed and ²²²Rn concentration changes do not seem to be influenced by changes in the concentration of other chemical components of the waters or by the discharge of the intake. The process of dissolving ²²²Rn in the medicinal groundwaters of Marta Spring is the last, the shortest, and the most local of the processes that form the chemical composition and the physical properties of these waters. Received: 7 January 2000 · Accepted: 12 August 2000     

The influence of atmospheric circulation on the type of precipitation (Krak��w, southern Poland)

The paper discusses the impact of atmospheric circulation on the occurrence of various types of precipitation. A 146-year-long precipitation record from Kraków spanning the period 1863?C2008 was used alongside a calendar prepared by Nied?wied? (1981, 2009) describing circulation types covering the period 1873?C2008 and air masses and atmospheric fronts covering the period 1951?C2008 in southern Poland. The influence of atmospheric circulation on precipitation was measured using the frequency, conditional probability and average daily totals of precipitation. Circulation types, air masses and atmospheric fronts exerted influences on precipitation as a result of the seasonal variations of the thermal and moisture properties of air masses. The impact is best expressed by circulation types as these combine the aspect of cyclonicity/anticyclonicity with that of the direction of air advection, the two elements which determine the physical properties of the air. On average, liquid precipitation prevailed in all circulation types, except the Ea type in which snowfall dominated over liquid precipitation. Depending on the season, one of the three types of circulation, Wa, Wc and Bc, were shown to coincide with the greatest amount of liquid and thunderstorm precipitation. There was no single dominant circulation type for mixed precipitation or snowfall. In summer, the circulation types Nc, NEc, Cc and Bc were the most favourable to liquid and thunderstorm precipitation in terms of both probability and totals. In winter, snowfall was the most favoured by the Ec type. Frontal precipitation was twice as likely to occur as air mass precipitation, with the exception of snowfall which was predominantly an air mass type of precipitation in terms of probability, but its greatest totals were recorded on atmospheric fronts.     

Measurable difference in Cherenkov light between gamma and hadron induced EAS

We describe the possible measurable difference in the Cherenkov light component of EAS induced by an electromagnetic particle (i.e., e⁺, e⁻ or γ) and induced by a hadron (i.e., proton or heavier nuclei) in the TeV range. The method can be applied in experiments which use wave front sampling method of EAS Cherenkov light detection (e.g., THEMISTOCLE, ASGAT).     

Multibeam Bathymetry and Slope Stability of Isvika Bay,Murchisonfjorden, Nordaustlandet

A research expedition to the polar region of Murchisonfjorden (Nordaustlandet, Svalbard) on the research vessel Horyzont II took place in August 2009. This paper presents results from an extensive bathymetric measurement campaign of the Isvika Bay, southern part of Murchisonfjorden. The aim of this campaign was to select optimal sites for sediment sampling. A detailed analysis of the bathymetric features is performed with a special emphasis on the slope stability conditions. A simple method for identifying areas of sediment redeposition is proposed. The results confirm that the Isvika Bay has two distinct basins separated by a ridge. Both basins display flat central regions surrounded by steep slopes with gullies. In addition, results of analysed Quaternary geological data have indicated that the area was affected by ice repeated glacial activity in the past and that there is no morphological form typical for glacier erosion and sedimentation.     

The changing role of border zones in the transforming economies of East-Central Europe: The case of Poland

The geopolitical and socio-economic changes in East-Central Europe that started at the beginning of the 1990s has brought about a fundamental change in the status of frontier areas in this region. The paper examines the new transborder relationships as well as the conditions, forms and dynamics of integration processes on the example of Poland. It discusses some stimuli and barriers to cross-border co-operation, including the creation of new transborder institutional embeddedness (e.g. Euroregions). On the other hand, the paper stresses the role of the informal economy in the current development of border zones in East-Central Europe. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition and foraminifers of condensed basal Zechstein (Upper Permian) strata in western Poland: environmental and stratigraphic implications

The basinal facies of the Lopingian Zechstein Limestone in SW Poland consists of thin (often less than 1 m thick) limestones and/or dolomites, often containing the Kupferschiefer (few tens of centimetres thick) at their base, and local thick (up to 90 m) reefal carbonates. The δ¹³C curve of these basal Zechstein deposits strongly suggests that even when the Kupferschiefer is lacking, the thin (condensed) sequences record the entire interval of the Zechstein prior to the onset of evaporite deposition, in contrast to the thick reef sequences which lack the characteristic δ¹³C curve for the lowermost part of the Zechstein. The calcite samples show considerable ranges of δ¹⁸O values. If the maximum δ¹⁸O values are considered to be the closest to the pristine original ones and if δ¹⁸O_water value = 0 is assumed, then the calculated range of palaeotemperatures for the Kupferschiefer and Zechstein Limestone calcite ranges from 19 to 34 °C. The faunal restriction, common dwarf foraminifers and the predominance of lagenids in the foraminiferal assemblage indicate continual dysaerobic conditions and possibly elevated salinity of seawater during deposition of thin basinal Zechstein Limestone deposits. The mixing of shallow and deeper waters in the stratified Zechstein Basin caused by upwelling could result in prolific carbonate precipitation in reefs located at the slope of the marginal carbonate platform of the Zechstein Limestone and in isolated reefs related to palaeohighs within the basin; however, there is no isotopic record of eventual upwelling. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.