The present paper investigates the colour dependence of mineral compositions in clay-rich sedimen... more The present paper investigates the colour dependence of mineral compositions in clay-rich sedimentary strata, mainly clayey silts, the emphasis being on iron-bearing minerals (rather than clay minerals) by using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (57Fe-MS). The PXRD-based phase analysis has demonstrated the variable compositions of samples, consisting of, inter alia, quartz, calcite or gypsum, and admixtures of potassium feldspars and plagioclase. Hematite + goethite (sample D1, dark red), goethite (sample D2, pinkish brown), poorly crystalline goethite (sample D3, orange) and jarosite (sample D4, yellow) have been distinguished. A very low jarosite content was detected in sample D5 (light grey); this did not affect its colour. The potential yellow/brown shades in sample D6 (dark grey), coming from trace amounts of jarosite, are masked by macroscopically visible organic matter. In the case of the two last-named samples (D5 and D6), with trace amounts of ...
Fazy paleogenskiego i neogenskiego rozwoju tektonicznego wybranych rowow na obszarze Wielkopolski... more Fazy paleogenskiego i neogenskiego rozwoju tektonicznego wybranych rowow na obszarze Wielkopolski In the Wielkopolska (Great Poland) area, there occur numerous tectonic grabens which were active in the Palaeogene and Neogene. The similarities and differences between their development are presented on the example of the Czempin, Szamotuly, Lubstow, and Wladyslawow Grabens. Using various methods of palaeotectonic analysis, the stages of accelerated subsidence of the grabens, i.e. tectonic phases, were indicated. The extent of vertical movement in the studied grabens were compared and it was affirmed that there is a connection between the occurrence of older dislocations and salt structures in the deep basement. From among the examined grabens, the Lubstow Graben is the deepest one, and shows the most complex geological structure. The Czempin and Szamotuly Grabens are characterized by relatively simple geological structure, where the stratigraphic completeness and tectonic style are ve...
From a geological and palaeogeographical point of view, the area of the Adamów Graben in the vici... more From a geological and palaeogeographical point of view, the area of the Adamów Graben in the vicinity of Turek ranks amongst the best known in central Poland, with several opencast mines located here where lignite was exploited for 57 years. These large-surface exposures provide a good opportunity for detailed geological studies of strata of Late Cretaceous to Holocene age. However, the present research focuses mainly on those deposits, forms and structures that have been most thoroughly examined and are best exposed. These are Cretaceous marls and gaizes, Paleogene ‘blue clays’ and the ‘Koźmin Gravels’, Neogene sandstones, as well as the Quaternary glacial ‘Lake Koźmin’, involutions and ‘Koźmin Las’. Some of these, e.g., the ‘Koźmin Gravels’ and ‘Koźmin Las’, are not known from other Polish territories. Furthermore, results obtained by the authors over a period of nearly 30 years also include data on palaeogeographical changes across some Cenozoic intervals, especially during the e...
Widera, M., Zieliński, T., Chomiak, L., Maciaszek, P., Wachocki, R., Bechtel, A., Słodkowska, B.,... more Widera, M., Zieliński, T., Chomiak, L., Maciaszek, P., Wachocki, R., Bechtel, A., Słodkowska, B., Worobiec, E. and Worobiec, G. 2021. Tectonic-climatic interactions during changes of depositional environments in the Carpathian foreland: An example from the Neogene of central Poland. Acta Geologica Polonica, 71 (4), 519–542. Warszawa. Many geological problems have not been convincingly explained so far and are debatable, for instance the origin and changes of the Neogene depositional environments in central Poland. Therefore, these changes have been reconstructed in terms of global to local tectonic and climatic fluctuations. The examined Neogene deposits are divided into a sub-lignite unit (Koźmin Formation), a lignite-bearing unit (Grey Clays Member), and a supra-lignite unit (Wielkopolska Member). The two lithostratigraphic members constitute the Poznań Formation. The results of facies analysis show that the Koźmin Formation was deposited by relatively high-gradient and well-drain...
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2020
This paper focuses on deformational structures seen at macro and mesoscales within the first Mid-... more This paper focuses on deformational structures seen at macro and mesoscales within the first Mid-Polish lignite seam (MPLS-1) currently exploited by the Konin Lignite Mine. In fact, the majority of examples presented herein come from the Jóźwin IIB and Tomisławice opencasts. The deformations are divided into two groups; they are tectonic and sedimentary ones. The first group includes deformations of the floor, faults, cleats, and seismically-induced structures such as breccia and deformed lamination. The second group covers compactionally-induced deformations of MPLS-1 roof, sedimentary breccia, and slumps. All these deformations are described and then briefly interpreted in this paper. Although in a few cases in the formation of sedimentary deformations, the contribution of the tectonic factor as a trigger mechanism seems obvious. This is supported by the fact that the mentioned lignite seam is mined in the areas of grabens that were tectonically active during the development of th...
The present study focuses on alternative methods of exploiting lignite in comparison to conventio... more The present study focuses on alternative methods of exploiting lignite in comparison to conventional opencast mining and combustion in power plants for the generation of electricity. In Poland, opencast lignite pits cover large areas, creating social and environmental conflicts. In order to stabilise the production level of electricity and reduce the negative effects of opencast mining, alternative ways of exploiting lignite are suggested, one of these being underground gasification in situ. The Złoczew lignite deposit, which will most likely be exploited in the near future, provides an opportunity to discuss the unconventional method of underground coal gasification (UCG). On the basis of technological and geological criteria that have been established to determine the suitability of Polish lignite for underground gasification, resources to be used this way have been estimated. Through gasification, over 15 million tonnes of lignite can be utilised, which is about 2.5 per cent of r...
This study addresses the complex geology caused mainly by tectonic and glaciotectonic processes i... more This study addresses the complex geology caused mainly by tectonic and glaciotectonic processes in lignite-bearing areas of Poland. Tectonics played a dominant role in the deformation of peat/lignite seams during their deposition. This is especially true for deep grabens where the thickest lignite seams were deposited (e.g., Bełchatów). Conversely, glaciotectonics led to the post-depositional deformation of other deposits (e.g., Sieniawa). The effects of tectonic and glaciotectonic processes in this region are investigated using both simplified geological cross-sections and photography. The size, depth and architecture of the glaciotectonic structures verified in this study demonstrate the importance of their consideration during the exploration and exploitation stages of such lignite deposits, as well as the planning of construction projects in areas strongly transformed by glaciotectonics.
The present paper investigates the colour dependence of mineral compositions in clay-rich sedimen... more The present paper investigates the colour dependence of mineral compositions in clay-rich sedimentary strata, mainly clayey silts, the emphasis being on iron-bearing minerals (rather than clay minerals) by using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (57Fe-MS). The PXRD-based phase analysis has demonstrated the variable compositions of samples, consisting of, inter alia, quartz, calcite or gypsum, and admixtures of potassium feldspars and plagioclase. Hematite + goethite (sample D1, dark red), goethite (sample D2, pinkish brown), poorly crystalline goethite (sample D3, orange) and jarosite (sample D4, yellow) have been distinguished. A very low jarosite content was detected in sample D5 (light grey); this did not affect its colour. The potential yellow/brown shades in sample D6 (dark grey), coming from trace amounts of jarosite, are masked by macroscopically visible organic matter. In the case of the two last-named samples (D5 and D6), with trace amounts of ...
Fazy paleogenskiego i neogenskiego rozwoju tektonicznego wybranych rowow na obszarze Wielkopolski... more Fazy paleogenskiego i neogenskiego rozwoju tektonicznego wybranych rowow na obszarze Wielkopolski In the Wielkopolska (Great Poland) area, there occur numerous tectonic grabens which were active in the Palaeogene and Neogene. The similarities and differences between their development are presented on the example of the Czempin, Szamotuly, Lubstow, and Wladyslawow Grabens. Using various methods of palaeotectonic analysis, the stages of accelerated subsidence of the grabens, i.e. tectonic phases, were indicated. The extent of vertical movement in the studied grabens were compared and it was affirmed that there is a connection between the occurrence of older dislocations and salt structures in the deep basement. From among the examined grabens, the Lubstow Graben is the deepest one, and shows the most complex geological structure. The Czempin and Szamotuly Grabens are characterized by relatively simple geological structure, where the stratigraphic completeness and tectonic style are ve...
From a geological and palaeogeographical point of view, the area of the Adamów Graben in the vici... more From a geological and palaeogeographical point of view, the area of the Adamów Graben in the vicinity of Turek ranks amongst the best known in central Poland, with several opencast mines located here where lignite was exploited for 57 years. These large-surface exposures provide a good opportunity for detailed geological studies of strata of Late Cretaceous to Holocene age. However, the present research focuses mainly on those deposits, forms and structures that have been most thoroughly examined and are best exposed. These are Cretaceous marls and gaizes, Paleogene ‘blue clays’ and the ‘Koźmin Gravels’, Neogene sandstones, as well as the Quaternary glacial ‘Lake Koźmin’, involutions and ‘Koźmin Las’. Some of these, e.g., the ‘Koźmin Gravels’ and ‘Koźmin Las’, are not known from other Polish territories. Furthermore, results obtained by the authors over a period of nearly 30 years also include data on palaeogeographical changes across some Cenozoic intervals, especially during the e...
Widera, M., Zieliński, T., Chomiak, L., Maciaszek, P., Wachocki, R., Bechtel, A., Słodkowska, B.,... more Widera, M., Zieliński, T., Chomiak, L., Maciaszek, P., Wachocki, R., Bechtel, A., Słodkowska, B., Worobiec, E. and Worobiec, G. 2021. Tectonic-climatic interactions during changes of depositional environments in the Carpathian foreland: An example from the Neogene of central Poland. Acta Geologica Polonica, 71 (4), 519–542. Warszawa. Many geological problems have not been convincingly explained so far and are debatable, for instance the origin and changes of the Neogene depositional environments in central Poland. Therefore, these changes have been reconstructed in terms of global to local tectonic and climatic fluctuations. The examined Neogene deposits are divided into a sub-lignite unit (Koźmin Formation), a lignite-bearing unit (Grey Clays Member), and a supra-lignite unit (Wielkopolska Member). The two lithostratigraphic members constitute the Poznań Formation. The results of facies analysis show that the Koźmin Formation was deposited by relatively high-gradient and well-drain...
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2020
This paper focuses on deformational structures seen at macro and mesoscales within the first Mid-... more This paper focuses on deformational structures seen at macro and mesoscales within the first Mid-Polish lignite seam (MPLS-1) currently exploited by the Konin Lignite Mine. In fact, the majority of examples presented herein come from the Jóźwin IIB and Tomisławice opencasts. The deformations are divided into two groups; they are tectonic and sedimentary ones. The first group includes deformations of the floor, faults, cleats, and seismically-induced structures such as breccia and deformed lamination. The second group covers compactionally-induced deformations of MPLS-1 roof, sedimentary breccia, and slumps. All these deformations are described and then briefly interpreted in this paper. Although in a few cases in the formation of sedimentary deformations, the contribution of the tectonic factor as a trigger mechanism seems obvious. This is supported by the fact that the mentioned lignite seam is mined in the areas of grabens that were tectonically active during the development of th...
The present study focuses on alternative methods of exploiting lignite in comparison to conventio... more The present study focuses on alternative methods of exploiting lignite in comparison to conventional opencast mining and combustion in power plants for the generation of electricity. In Poland, opencast lignite pits cover large areas, creating social and environmental conflicts. In order to stabilise the production level of electricity and reduce the negative effects of opencast mining, alternative ways of exploiting lignite are suggested, one of these being underground gasification in situ. The Złoczew lignite deposit, which will most likely be exploited in the near future, provides an opportunity to discuss the unconventional method of underground coal gasification (UCG). On the basis of technological and geological criteria that have been established to determine the suitability of Polish lignite for underground gasification, resources to be used this way have been estimated. Through gasification, over 15 million tonnes of lignite can be utilised, which is about 2.5 per cent of r...
This study addresses the complex geology caused mainly by tectonic and glaciotectonic processes i... more This study addresses the complex geology caused mainly by tectonic and glaciotectonic processes in lignite-bearing areas of Poland. Tectonics played a dominant role in the deformation of peat/lignite seams during their deposition. This is especially true for deep grabens where the thickest lignite seams were deposited (e.g., Bełchatów). Conversely, glaciotectonics led to the post-depositional deformation of other deposits (e.g., Sieniawa). The effects of tectonic and glaciotectonic processes in this region are investigated using both simplified geological cross-sections and photography. The size, depth and architecture of the glaciotectonic structures verified in this study demonstrate the importance of their consideration during the exploration and exploitation stages of such lignite deposits, as well as the planning of construction projects in areas strongly transformed by glaciotectonics.
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