The formation of fan-deltas in mountain lakes: Findings from Zelené Kežmarské Lake (Slovakia)

Fan-deltas are formed in mountain lakes, contributing to changes in shorelines' shapes and filling lake basins with sediments. Factors that condition sediment delivery to the lakes and the formation of fan-deltas are not fully understood. This study aims to identify processes forming fan-deltas in mountain lakes based on the sedimentary architecture of a fan-delta filling Zelené Kežmarské Lake (Slovakia). Our study is based on ground-penetrating radar and seismic refraction surveys conducted over the lake and debris-flow fans in its vicinity, and grain-size analyses of the surface deposits. The internal structure of the fan-delta comprises foreset deposits representing the fan-delta lobes. Mouth bars were identified in the near-shore zone. The fan-delta is built of sands and silty sands whereas an alluvial debris-flow dominated fan west of the lake contains gravels. A general trend of downslope fining of the fan surface sediments, disturbed by zones of coarse gravels, was identified in the surficial sediments forming the fan. The fan-delta was formed by depositional events in humid periods, alternating with dry periods featured with a small or no deposition. The lake-level steadily rose in the humid periods and remained stable in dry periods. The contrast between the coarse sediments forming the alluvial debris-flow dominated fan, and sands forming the fan-delta was caused by a selective deposition. Coarse gravels in the fan were mobilized in humid periods but did not reach the lake-shore. The reason was a basement rock ridge situated parallel to the lake shore. Sands were delivered to the fan-delta in humid periods owing to frequent high-energy flows. A deposition of silts took place in dry periods. The studied fan-delta might preserve the sedimentary record of three humid periods from the last 200 years. However, further studies are needed to establish the timing of the fan-delta formation.     

Changes of GPR spectra due to the presence of hydrocarbon contamination in the ground

The location of hydrocarbon contamination in the ground using the GPR method is based mainly on information taken from reflected signals. In the cases investigated in Polish contaminated sites, such signals were very seldom recorded. A long time after spillage, contamination takes the form of plumes with different size and distribution, which depends on geological and hydraulic properties of the ground. In this paper, it is shown that the set of hydrocarbon plumes should be described with a stochastic model, and such plumes may generate the scattered waves which cause changes in the power spectra. It has been observed that the power spectra of GPR signals over contaminated areas are quite different from such spectra over clear ones. These differences were discussed in this paper on the basis of theoretical analysis, numerical modelling and the results of GPR terrain surveys.     

Origin and evolution of volatiles in the Central Europe late Variscan granitoids,using the example of the Strzegom-Sobótka Massif,SW Poland

Mineralogy and Petrology - The results of the new Electron Microprobe Analysis of apatite, hornblende and biotite crystals of the hornblende-biotite variety of the Strzegom-Sobótka granite...     

SH waves in a layer with temperature dependent properties

The paper deals with the problem of SH harmonic wave propagation in an elastic layer with temperature dependent properties. The shear modulus and mass density are linearly dependent on temperature. The layer is rested on a rigid foundation and the upper boundary is free of loadings. The boundary planes are kept at different constant temperatures. The wave velocity and amplitude of stresses are analysed.     

Main properties of sands hydrophobized by alkoxysilane emulsions

The results of laboratory tests and geotechnical view on sands hydrophobized by alkoxysilane emulsions are presented. For the soils subjected to this process, very low permeability and no capillary elevation was observed. Laboratory tests also indicate that other physical and mechanical properties of hydrophobized sands remain nearly untouched, i.e., the considered hydrophobisation process does not reduce the strength of soils. Properly composed alkoxysilane emulsions can also solidify in pores to produce a stabilizing silicate binder. The filtration barriers in ground and soil stabilization are thus considered as possible applications of the hydrophobized soils. The process of treatment of granular soils with alkoxysilanes is neutral for the environment and the cost of implementation of the method is relatively low.     

The application of well logging and seismic modeling to assess the degree of gas saturation in Miocene strata (Carpathian Foredeep, Poland)

The presence of natural gas in the pore space of reservoir rocks results in a significant decrease in P-wave velocity. Even low gas saturation can generate seismic anomalies (DHI) and false image of gas accumulation of economic importance. This article presents an attempt to evaluate gas saturation from 2D seismic section in the Miocene sandstone strata in the south-eastern part of the Carpathian Foredeep. The ESTYMACJA program and the Biot-Gassmann model were used to study the dependence between elastic parameters and saturating fluids (water and gas) recorded in wells. Series of calculations was carried out using a method of fluid substitution for various gas saturation. The applicability of seismic data for evaluating gas saturation of reservoir beds was assessed with the use of 1D modelling (synthetic seismograms) and 2D modelling (theoretical seismic section) calculated for different gas saturation. The proposed methodology can be used to identify low and high gas-saturated zones and contour the reservoir.     

Ito equations out of domino cellular automaton with efficiency parameters

Ito equations are derived for simple stochastic cellular automaton with parameters describing efficiencies for avalanche triggering and cell occupation. Analytical results are compared with the numerical one obtained from the histogram method. Good agreement for various parameters supports the wide applicability of the Ito equation as a macroscopic model of some cellular automata and complex natural phenomena which manifest random energy release. Also, the paper is an example of effectiveness of histogram procedure as an adequate method of nonlinear modeling of time series.     

Scales of Turbulent Eddies in a Compound Channel

Experimental research was undertaken to investigate the changes in scales of turbulent eddies (macro- and microeddies) in a compound channel and the influence of rigid, emergent floodplain vegetation on scales of turbulent eddies. The results of eight tests for different roughness conditions (smooth bed, rough bed) and with a tree system on the floodplains from two earlier studies are presented. The increase of the channel roughness resulted in a decrease of longitudinal sizes of macroeddies in the whole channel. Trees on the floodplains resulted in disintegration of the sizes of macroeddies, making values of sizes more uniform. A more significant decreasing influence on sizes of macroeddies in the whole channel was exerted by an increase of the main channel sloping bank roughness, having a higher effect than a twofold decrease in the floodplain trees density. The microeddies’ sizes are larger in the main channel centreline than on the floodplains and the smallest ones were present in the main channel/floodplain interface.