Industrial sources of CO2 emissions in Poland in the light of underground storage possibilities

Industrial sectors responsible for large part of CO₂ emissions in Poland are characterized from the point of view of possibilities of sequestration of this gas by underground storage. On the basis of official statistics and data obtained from local administration and individual plants, attempt was made to evaluate the magnitude of emissions from selected categories, sub-categories and sectors of the industry (in accordance with methodology of IPCC), concentration of CO₂ in combustion gases and those emitted by industry, and to identify major point sources of emission of this gas in Poland. A special attention was paid to those sectors of industry that may be the first to act as a source of carbon dioxide for sequestration by underground storage in the nearest future. To cite this article: R. Tarkowski, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Distribution of sedimentary organic matter in Anisian carbonate series of S Poland: evidence of third-order sea-level fluctuations

The stratigraphic distribution of sedimentary organic matter in Anisian carbonate series of southern Poland is studied with respect to relative sea-level fluctuations. Palynofacies patterns clearly reflect transgressive–regressive trends that are interpreted in terms of third-order cyclicity. Major flooding phases are detected by maximum abundance of marine plankton in the upper Bithynian and Pelsonian. Transgressive and highstand deposits are recognized by changes in the terrestrial input of organic particles and the relative percentages and diversity of the plankton group. The palynological data support the sequence stratigraphic interpretation based on sedimentological features and geochemical signatures. The corresponding eustatic signals of sedimentary and organic facies are discussed. The study highlights the potential of palynofacies analysis for sequence stratigraphical interpretation.     

Private property restitution: the geographical consequences of official government policies in Central and Eastern Europe

The restitution of private property has been a widespread and controversial part of the post-socialist transformation in Central and Eastern Europe, raising issues about social justice and the responsibilities of national governments for the actions of their predecessors. This paper reviews the implementation of the restitution process in the countries of the region and assesses the impact on the social and economic landscape. The policy has been most extensive in Germany and most controversial in Poland, and the impacts in these two countries are considered in detail. The results show that everywhere restitution has resulted in winners and losers, with some claimants having long-lost property returned, but too often at the cost of residents losing their homes. However, an important benefit, notably in Germany's New Bundesländer, has been the introduction of much-needed new investment into the urban fabric of towns and cities, although the landscape impacts elsewhere have been less significant. Nevertheless, throughout Central and Eastern Europe restitution policies have helped governments to come to terms with a difficult aspect of the past and move forward.     

Fractal dimension of faults network in the upper silesian coal basin (Poland): Preliminary studies

Fractal analysis of faults network, tremor foci spatial distribution as well as the Gutenberg-Richter relationship could further explain whether the biggest seismic events are connected with recent tectonic activity. Fractality of fault systems geometry, as a first step of the analysis, was tested fro a part of the USCB embodying the main structural units. The cluster analysis and the box counting methods were employed.The calculated fractal dimension of fault network was 1.98 for the whole area yet for considered structural units it was close to 1.6. The results point to similarity of studied fault pattern to river network. Faults within selected tectonic units make separate sets which have a distinct geometry and origin. The value of 1.6 is an upper limit to the fracture geometry of rocks that can be explained on the basis of Griffith energy balance concept.     

Thermal maturation of the Lower Palaeozoic strata in the southwestern margin of the Malopolska Massif,southern Poland: no evidence for Caledonian regional metamorphism

Conodont colour alteration index (CAI) values have been used for the assessment of the thermal history of Lower Palaeozoic strata in the southwestern margin of the Malopolska Massif, along the contact with the Upper Silesian Massif. The CAI data provide no evidence for a previously suggested greenschistgrade regional metamorphism in the Cracow-Myszkow zone during the Caledonian epoch. Near Zarki, the Silurian rocks display a relatively uniform thermal overprint (CAI values of 4) resulting from sedimentary burial during the early Late Carboniferous. The estimated maximum temperatures of 200–220°C can be explained by an elevated heat flow associated with the Cracow Fault system. This thermal maturation level was locally enhanced (CAI values up to 8) after the Westphalian, due to the magmatic activity caused by the Variscan regional extension.     

A conceptual model of hydraulic networks in carbonate rocks, illustrated by examples from Poland

 Hydraulic networks of carbonate rocks usually consist of three types of spaces: pores, fissures, and caverns; sometimes filled forms also are present. At sufficiently large scales, the spaces are assumed to be homogeneous with arbitrary boundaries and to be characterized by mean values of parameters. A conceptual model and its schematic presentation demonstrate the importance of particular parameters for flow and solute transport, and they explain the responses of pumping rates and water levels to changes in boundary conditions. Three examples characterize some typical networks: (1) chalk in eastern Poland, representing fissured aquifers with a high storage volume for solutes in stagnant matrix water; (2) Middle Triassic limestones in southern Poland, representing fissured-cavernous aquifers; however, a large storage volume for solute transport is in mostly stagnant matrix water; and (3) Triassic dolomites in the same area, representing porous-fissured-cavernous aquifers with a considerable storage volume in the matrix, which can partly be released (20%), considerably contributing to the total specific yield. For the last two types of aquifers, the hydraulic conductivity near pumping wells and mine galleries usually quickly increases in time due to suffosion of filled forms, which leads to a temporal large increase of the inflows. Received, April 1997 Revised, January 1998, August 1998 Accepted, May 1998     

Environmental problems in the Sudetes, Poland

Due to the abundance of mineral deposits associated with the metamorphic rocks of the Sudetes, the area was intensively settled and developed by the end of the Middle Ages. Several centuries later, the first attempts were made to rehabilitate the devastated natural environment. The advent of capitalism brought further damage to the environment, which has remained almost unchanged to this day. Improvements in the context of transfrontier cooperation have arisen out of the economic crisis and the disintegration of the Soviet bloc. However, the Sudetes are still a problem area, and various industries are competing for local resources. The main problem facing the region is the need to rehabilitate its natural environment and create a more balanced local economy. Tourism, forestry, agriculture and ‘clean’ industrial technologies have the greatest potential. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variations in technical infrastructure and private economic activity in the rural areas of Southern Poland

Restructuring the Polish countryside is a complex and urgent task. Adapting agriculture for EU entry will mean a considerable reduction in employment and rural diversification is needed because other sectors of the national economy will not be able to absorb all the displaced people if they arrive in the towns. However, providing non-agricultural employment in rural areas depends to a large extent on the technical infrastructure available: running water, sewerage systems, gas supply and telecommunications. The paper deals with voivodeships in southern and southwestern Poland (formerly Galicia) and shows that while much progress has been made since the end of the communist period, the inherited inequalities are being perpetuated and in some cases increased. However, even where the infrastructure is satisfactory, private business does not develop at a uniform rate and action is needed to stimulate communities in remoter rural areas, particularly in the eastern part of the study region. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characteristics of high-mountain karst based on GIS and Remote Sensing

Spatial data were used to develop complex characteristics of a high-mountain karst. The numeric elaboration was conducted using the analytical capabilities of GIS software. Analysis was based on spatial data gained by elaborating aerial photography. The results were presented in map sets, as well as Geographic Information System format. The set of matched numerical methods used and the proposed algorithm for data analysis may be applied at other karst sites.     

An opportunistic trace fossil assemblage from the flysch of the Inoceramian beds (Campanian-Palaeocene), Bystrica Zone of the Magura Nappe, Carpathians, Poland

A relatively poorly diversified trace fossil assemblage from thin- and medium-bedded flysch of the Inoceramian beds in the Polish Outer Carpathians is dominated by postdepositional r-selected Chondrites, Planolites and Helminthoida. Predepositional K-selected forms are very rare. This, together with a lack of evidence for bottom erosion and the relatively dark colour of interbedded mudstone and siltstone, suggest that low sediment oxygenation was the main factor controlling benthic life. Preservational factors, related to the fluid consistency of sediment and to mixed layers, seem to be present, but subordinate. Small-scale changes of diversity and abundance of the trace fossils within the sections probably reflect changes in sediment oxygenation.