Melt–wall rock interaction in the mantle shown by silicate melt inclusions in peridotite xenoliths from the central Pannonian Basin (western Hungary)

In this paper we present a detailed textural and geochemical study of two equigranular textured amphibole-bearing spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Szigliget, Bakony–Balaton Highland Volcanic Field (BBHVF, western Hungary) containing abundant primary silicate melt inclusions (SMIs) in clinopyroxene rims and secondary SMIs in orthopyroxene (and rarely spinel) along healed fractures. The SMIs are dominantly composed of silicate glass and CO₂-rich bubbles. Clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene are zoned in both studied xenoliths, especially with respect to Fe, Mg, Na, and Al contents. Cores of clinopyroxenes in both xenoliths show trace element distribution close to primitive mantle. Rims of clinopyroxenes are enriched in Th, U, light rare earth elements (LREEs) and medium REEs (MREEs). Amphiboles in the Szg08 xenolith exhibit elevated Rb, Ba, Nb, Ta, LREE, and MREE contents. The composition of silicate glass in the SMIs covers a wide range from the basaltic trachyandesite and andesite to phonolitic compositions. The glasses are particularly rich in P₂O₅. Both primary and secondary SMIs are strongly enriched in incompatible trace elements (mostly U, Th, La, Zr) and display a slight negative Hf anomaly. The development of zoned pyroxenes, as well as the entrapment of primary SMIs in the clinopyroxene rims, happened after partial melting and subsequent crystallization of clinopyroxenes, most probably due to an interaction between hot volatile-bearing evolved melt and mantle wall-rocks. This silicate melt filled microfractures in orthopyroxenes (and rarely spinels) resulting in secondary SMIs.     

Computer estimation of intensities: The 1985 Berhida,Hungary, earthquake

In this paper a computerized method for the intensity estimation from macroseismic observations is presented. The successive steps of the MSK intensity scale (2° to 10°) receives weights according to the observations marked on the earthquake questionnaires. These weights are summed for the individual scale steps. The distribution of these summed weights and their relation to an experimentally chosen function of the criterion make it possible to estimate the appropriate intensity value and its reliability. By computer evaluation of earthquake reports an objective comparison of estimated intensities given by different seismologists can be made, provided that uniform earthquake questionnaires are used. The application of this method will result in more homogeneous intensity data.     

Problems of site selection for nuclear waste disposal in a loess-covered hill environment in Hungary

Problems of the long-term storage of nuclear waste produced by the Paks power plant have recently come to the fore in Hungary. After an extensive debate between investors and the local population the decision makers took the side of those having opposed the establishment of the waste disposal site in the initially proposed environment. Several studies have been conducted to support both pros and cons. Although the idea was rejected finally, this debate has proven that comprehensive research prior to decision making is indispensable in similar cases.Regretfully, the academic staff of the GRIHAS was invited to participate in the expertise too late, in 1988, to investigate the geomorphological and social-economic environmental conditions of the proposed site. The latter cannot be neglected since the settlement pattern, demographic structure, character of economic activities, the level and state of the infrastructure — though indirectly — exert a long-term impact on the circumstances of the operation of the site, the living conditions of the people working there and on the use of the environment. Any harmful effect from the secondary wastes to be deposited could endanger the security of the local population, that is why a thorough geographical analysis based on field research in the immediate and wider surroundings of the site is necessary already in the phase of decision preparation.     

Terrestrial radioisotopes in black shale hosted Mn-carbonate deposit (Úrkút, Hungary)

Previously, little attention has been paid to terrestrial radioisotopes (U, Th, ⁴⁰K) occurring in manganese ores, despite the fact that the biogeochemical relationship between Mn and U is versatile. Occurrence of terrestrial radioisotopes in great amounts during mining on a long-term causes significant radiation exposure. It is important to inspect black shale-hosted manganese ores from this aspect, as black shales are typically potential U-rich formations. Despite the increased radon concentration in the mine, based on the detailed major elements, trace elements and gamma spectroscopy inspection of the rock types of deposit, the U, Th enrichment was undetectable. However, the U and Th content of about average terrestrial abundance of the great ore amount may be in the background of the increased radon concentration level. This Mn-carbonate ore deposit in spite of the low U content exhibit potential radon danger for miners, which can be eliminated with intensive air change only.     

The parameters of an infinite homogeneous elliptical cylinder determined from its gravity effects

Summary The Fourier transform of the vertical component of the attraction of a homogeneous horizontal infinite elliptical cylinder is computed. By comparing this function with the Fourier transform of the vertical component, determined experimentally, it is possible to determine the mass of the cylinder per unit length, as well as the position of the centre and of both the foci of the ellipse representing the cross-section of the cylinder.Decicated to Academician Alois Zátopek on His 65th Birthday     

Titanium in ureyite: A substitution with vacancy

Solubility of Ti⁴⁺ in ureyite (cosmochlor, NaCrSi₂O₆) was experimentally studied at 1 atmosphere and ≈1000°C, using sodium disilicate as flux. Microprobe analyses indicate that at low titanium concentrations the substitution of titanium in ureyite is almost exclusively in the M1 site, coupled with a vacancy in the M2 site. At higher TiO₂ contents, a small additional amount enters the tetrahedral site. If the solubility of titanium is similar in jadeite and acmite, the □TiSi₂O₆ substitution could contribute significantly to the vacancy content of natural titanium bearing omphacites.     

In-mine geoelectric investigations for detecting tectonic disturbances in coal seam structures

The methods of in-mine seam-sounding and transillumination (geoelectric tomography) for the detection of tectonic disturbances of coal seams were developed by the Department of Geophysics of the University of Miskolc in the 1970–80’s with the effective support of the former “Borsod” Coal Mines Ltd. The paper gives an overview about the theory of seam-sounding and a special geoelectric tomographic inversion, and introduces the in-mine geoelectric seam-sounding and transillumination measurement systems using vertical electrode dipoles. In the second part the paper, the results of an in-mine geoelectric measurement are presented, which was carried out in order to detect tectonic disturbances of the Miocene aged coal seams situated in Slovakia. As results of the geophysical investigation, the authors forecasted the tectonic features in the coal seam. The company confirmed the results by independent information about seam disturbances and tectonic features arising from the excavation of the investigated area.     

Simulating the lateral transport of ichthyoplankton in the Potomac estuary

Previous simulations of potential ichthyoplankton entrainment by power generating stations on the Potomac estuary have not included the influence of lateral transport in distributing eggs and larvae over the nursery area. Therefore, two-dimensional, vertically-averaged hydrodynamic and kinematic models of passive organism transport were developed to represent advective and dispersive processes near the proposed Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station. Although the more refined model did not substantially alter the estimate of ichthyoplankton entrainment, it did reveal that lateral inhomogeneities in hydrodynamics could engender severalfold differences in entrainment probabilities on opposite sides of the estuary. Models of higher resolution and greater biological detail did not project greater total entrainment by the Douglas Point plant, because the volume of nontidal flow past the site was large in comparison to the proposed rate of cooling water withdrawal.