Modern sedimentation processes in glacial lakes on the Spitsbergen archipelago (on the example of Lake Bretjørna)

The paper reviews the study results of sedimentation and formation of geochemical characteristics of glacial Lake Bretjørna sediment – as the example of postglacial process in inner areas of Arctic archipelagos. Field research and sampling were carried out in the winter of 2018. The properties of sediments along the profile of the lake were analyzed. The income and accumulation of heavy metals in sediment were assessed. The lithofacies characteristics of the sediments and their spatial distribution were determined. In the paper the main geochemical characteristics of the lake bottom sediments (granulometric composition, organic matter content, as well as the accumulation of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg) are considered. The correlation between the lithological composition of sediments and their micro-component content are shown. Correlation between elements and terrigenous sediments income from Northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula accumulated by the glacier and snow cover of the catchment is obtained. Three associations of trace elements in the group of studied elements are distinguished.

Impact of mechanical stratification on the structural style of the Lublin Basin, SE Poland: results of seismic interpretation and implications for quantification of deformation within the frontal parts of thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts

We demonstrate how lithological and mechanical stratification of Ediacaran–Carboniferous sedimentary package governs strain partitioning in the Lublin Basin (LB) which was incorporated in the marginal portion of the Variscan fold-and-thrust belt. Based on the geometry of seismic reflectors, the pre-Permian–Mesozoic sedimentary sequence was subdivided into two structural complexes differing in structural style. The lower one reveals forelandward-vergent imbrication, while the upper one comprises fold train, second-order deformations, and multiple local detachments. Lithological composition of the upper structural complex controlled geometry, kinematics, and position of compressional deformations in stratigraphic profile. System of foreland-vergent thrusts which links lower and upper detachment developed due to efficiency of simple shear operating in heterogeneous clastic-carbonate-evaporitic strata of the Lower–Upper Devonian age. Internal homogeneity promoted the formation of conjugate sets of thrusts in Silurian shales and Upper Devonian limestones. Structural seismic interpretation combined with sequential restoration revealed localised thickening of Devonian strata and up to 5% difference in length of Devonian horizons. This mismatch is interpreted as a manifestation of distributed shortening, including layer-parallel shortening (LPS), which operated before or synchronously to the initiation of folding. The amount of distributed strain is comparable with numbers obtained in external parts of other fold-and-thrust belts. The outcomes derived from this study may act as a benchmark for studying variability in a structural style of multilayered sequences which were incorporated in the external portion of other fold-and-thrust belts.

Estimation of quantitative criteria of carbonate reservoirs of triassic deposits

This paper discusses the boundary values of the reservoir properties of carbonate rocks of the Triassic sediments of South Mangyshlak, which are important for the interpretation of production geophysical data and for perforating and blasting operations. In terms of lithological composition, Triassic deposits are represented by two types of commercial reservoirs terrigenous and carbonate. Carbonate reservoirs are localized in the volcanic-dolomite and volcanic-limestone strata of the Middle Triassic. These rocks are characterized by a complex type of reservoir: porous-fractured, porous-cavernous and fractured. Sediments of the Upper Triassic occur with erosion on the Middle Triassic sedimentary complex and are represented by alternating tuffaceous, silt-sandy and mudstone rocks. Polymictic sandstones are oil-saturated to varying degrees; oil deposits are confined to them. To substantiate the quantitative criteria of the reservoir, the results obtained during special laboratory studies of the core were used. Filtration studies were carried out, where physical and hydrodynamic characteristics were determined when oil was displaced by displacing reagents. The obtained parameters were used to construct correlations collector non-collector. Using the relationships between the reservoir properties of the reservoir, the dependence of the porosity and permeability on the residual water content, as well as open porosity and permeability on the dynamic porosity, the boundary values were determined.

Mineral Exploration in Mawat Region, Kurdistan-Iraq, Based on Satellite Data and Terrain Prospection

The main goal of the presented exploration was to estimate potential for mineralization in the Mawat ophiolitic massif in Kurdistan, Iraq. The aim of the study was to explore existing copper mineralization and assessor elements gold, platinoids and chromium. Geological exploration detected two types of Cu occurrence a) secondary Cu carbonates (malachite) and b) Cu sulfides (chalcopyrite-pyrite). The Mawat region is mostly built of ultrabasic and basic rocks: peridotites, gabbros, serpentinites and basalts which are heavily deformed, with faults mostly oriented NNW-SSE, and NE-SW. The first phase of exploration comprised digital processing of ASTER and QuickBird satellite images, with appropriate geometrical and radiometric corrections and transformation into coordinate system. Color composite images were produced in different scales. They served to define lithological composition, tectonic settings, location of the points of interest etc. The field work was designed to check satellite data in situ, with focus on perspective rock formations, which might host copper mineralization, and other elements. The host rocks of the ore occurrences are primarily gabbros and metagabbros intersected by diabase dykes, epidote and quartz veins. Secondary mineralization is the product of surficial weathering and it is represented by malachite and limonite. The geophysical survey was very useful in the detection of area with elevated induced polarization and low resistivity. Three perspective areas have been selected for detailed explorations: Waraz, Mirava-Chenara and Konjirin-Kuradawi. The concentration of copper varies highly in very wide ranges; the maximum measured concentration of Cu was determined in Waraz area 6.7%. Some rock samples also show concentration of gold from 0.36 to 2.59 ppm Au. Keywords: Mawat ophiolitic massif, geologic-geophysical explorations, copper mineralization, Kurdistan-Iraq

Occurrence of Tankhoy field coals in South Baikal bottom sediments

The purpose of the study is to describe the first finds of coal-bearing clays and coals in the bottom sediments of the southern basin of Lake Baikal and compare them with terrestrial coal-bearing deposits of the Tankhoy field. Comparative analysis of the lithological composition and colour of bottom sediments and terrestrial sections, as well as the concentration of organic carbon and conducted palynological analysis allowed their correlation. At the lake’s depth of 900 m the authors discovered a coal-bearing strata in situ (st 56), which later was stratigraphically correlated with the terrestrial coalbearing part of the Tankhoy suite. The fragments of coal found in bottom sediments basically along the entire Tankhoy field, especially bedrock coals on the underwater slope in South Baikal up to 1300 m deep prove the distribution of the coal-bearing part of the Tankhoy suite in the sublacustrine part of the lake throughout the entire slope (from 5 to 10 km offshore) and confirm the distribution area of the Tankhoy paleolake over a significant area of the contour of modern southern basin of Lake Baikal. The finds of coal-bearing strata on these and other various sub-bottom depths, i.e. under various pressure and temperature conditions, suggest that coals themselves and coal-bearing mudstones may be a generation facility of secondary microbial methane. This should be taken into account when searching for gas hydrocarbon and gas hydrate accumulations as well as assessing methane cycles in Lake Baikal.

The discovery of structural elements and zones of hydrothermal alterations by using ASTER satellite data in the margins of Gadabay and Murovdag ore districts (Lesser Caucasus, Azerbaijan)

The article considers the discovery of structural elements, zones of hydrothermal alterations and mineralization in the margins of Gadabay and Murovdag regions and the study of prospective areas for mineralization characterized by them by using ASTER satellite data. The main purpose of the research is the definition of the lithological composition of rocks, ring and linear structures and zones of hydrothermal alterations with the help of remote-sensing methods and by better technological development of special radiometric data. In order to detect the lithological composition of associated rocks of alteration zone of endogenous ores, 14 channel data of ASTER has been used. By using stereoscopic images obtained from ASTER data, it was determined that hydrothermal alterations are mainly represented by alunitization, kaolinization, sericitization, silication, pyropilitization and silification in the studied ore regions. These changes were shown to be characteristic for copper-porphyry, gold- copper pyrite, copper-polymetal and gold-copper-porphyry deposits. Strip ratios, principal component analysis (PCA), minimum of noise fraction (MNF) and selection method for least squares (LS) have been used to map hydrothermal alteration zones. The ring structures detected in the area, different fault fractures and lineaments are assessed as favourable geological structural factors for alteration and mineralization. The results obtained by ASTER image analysis confirm the presence of derivative minerals which are considered to be the product of hydrothermal alterations which are densely concentrated (kalium spathization, kaolinization, serictization, pyrophyllitization, alunitization) has been confirmed. The points each with private coordinates have been determined (defined) within separate areas with the help of remote data and relevant anomalous maps prepared. These points are considered favourable geological condition in terms of the type and intensity of hydrothermal alterations in the area. Such areas are considered a sign of indirect search significant for the detection of copper-polymetallic, copper-porphyry, copper-pyrite and gold-pyrite type of mineralization with epithermal origin in the region.

Suitability of the Carbonate Rocks of the Bekhme Formation for Cement Industry, Hareer Mountain, North Iraq, Kurdistan Region

The main lithological composition of different formations in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is the carbonate rocks; some of those rocks are suitable for cement production; such as Qamchuqa Bekhme, Sinjar, Pila Spi and Anah formations. However, the six existing cement plants in are using limestone beds, five of those plants are using limestone from the Sinjar Formation, and one plant is using limestone from the Anah Formation. Recently, performed research works confirmed that the limestone beds within the Qamchuqa, Bekhme and Pila Spi formations are very suitable for cement production. The current research work deals with studying the exposed limestone beds within the Bekhme Formation at Hareer Mountain in the central part of IKR to check their suitability for the cement industry. Accordingly, we collected 12 rock samples from a section within the Bekhme Formation at an almost constant sampling interval (5 m); however, for two samples the sampling interval was 6 and 8 m (sample No. 2 and 12, respectively). Each sample represents a channel sample for the concerned sampling interval to be representative for the thickness of the sampled interval. The total thickness of the sampled section is 64 m with a covered interval of 30 m, totaling up to 94 m. The collected 12 samples were prepared at the laboratory of the University of Kurdistan Hewler and were subjected to XRF test at Mass Cement Plant (Sulaimaniyah) to check the concentration of certain oxides that are used in the Iraqi Standard for cement production. The acquired concentrations of the main oxides (CaO, MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, SO3), and Cl and L.O.I. at each sample were changed to weighted averages and the results were compared with the Iraqi standards for cement industry. The result was the sampled rocks are excellent for cement production.

AGRO ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF DARK GREY SOIL IN IMERETI REGION

Georgia, in particular, the dark grey soils of the middle belt of the Imereti mountain-forest zone are widespread. This soil is of bioclimatic type which analogues are found in many regions of the world forest zone and are formed in geographical and landscape conditions similar to Georgia. According to the vertical zoning, forest dark grey soils are spread from 600-900 meters above sea level to 2000-2100 meters. In Imereti, in the lower zone of the distribution of these soils, they border the yellow and red soils, and in the upper zone, the subalpine soils of the mountain-meadow.They, like the relief of the territory of all mountainous countries, the relief strip of forest dark grey soils in Imereti is very difficult in relief. It is fragmented, which in turn is related to the geological structure, lithological composition of rocks, tectonic processes, erosion-denudation occurrences and more.The thickness of the soil changes with the inclination of the slope, gravel, properties, the greater the slope, the less soil moisture, the slower the soil is washed away, and the dryness of the soil is known to be unfavorable for the plant. Under these conditions, a very small amount of humus-accumulation horizon is formed, which is unsatisfactory in terms of soil protection importance and fertility. At the same time it is noteworthy that the soils of the southern exposure are hotter than those of the north.Dark grey soils are developed on the Tertiary and post-Tertiary sandstones, clays and their overcrop products in the southern Imereti region, which includes the northern slopes of the Meskheti Range, within the Zestafoni, Bagdati, Samtredia, Vani districts. Soil-forming rocks are Lower and Middle Eocene sandstones, marls, clay-shales, erupted (andesites, tuffs) rocks.These soils are developed under broadleaf (hornbeam, chestnut, oak) and deciduous-coniferous forest cover.Sandy soils are spread in Khoni, Baghdati, Vani, Tkibuli, Chiatura, Kharagauli, Imereti region.