Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://services.bepress.com/geologia Recent documents in Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Geologia en-us Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:32:13 PST 3600 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art8 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art8 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:45 PDT Based on their chemical composition ceramic shards from three Bronze Age sites in Transylvania, i.e., Copăceni, Derşida and Palatca respectively, were distinguished by major, trace, and RE elements. Within the Copăceni samples, two subgroups (A and B) showing different chemistry and mineralogy were additionally separated out. The link between chemistry and mineralogy showed clearly the important contribution of the temper to the overall chemistry of the ceramic shards. In turn, the chemistry facilitated the provenance study of the raw materials, which were collected in the vicinity of the sites. In combination with the mineralogy of the ceramics, the chemical analyses can serve as a basis for a geochemical reference set used by further studies. Volker Hoeck Archeology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art7 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art7 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:43 PDT Biogeochemical investigation of Pteropyrum olivieri, a flora of Wadh area in perspective of plant-soil-rock relationship has been made. It is a native of Irano-Turanian region which extended into Saharo-Sindian region of Pakistan. The distribution of P. olivieri and some other co-ecological flora in relation to lithology was also discussed. Field observations showed its controlled population on the serpentine soil. The average abundance of Mg and Ca in soil was estimated as 2.43% and 5.46 respectively. The Mg/Ca ratio of the soils of the study area was below unity (0.445), indicating pedogenesis from serpentinite. Quantitative estimation of Cr, Ni, Co and Cu in soils and plant ash was made. Distribution of these elements has been discussed in context with soil chemistry, average abundance in plant ash and the exclusion mechanism of the flora. The concentration of Cr, Ni and Co in the twigs of P. olivieri is more than the average abundance in the plant ash, while Cu concentration was less. Relationship among Cr, Ni, Co and Cu has been established using scatter-grams to evaluate biogeochemistry of the P. olivieri. Bio-concentration factor (BCF) of the specie attributed Co>Cu>Ni>Cr trend. Present study signifies a number of anomalous zones which can be utilized for the exploration of new hidden mineral deposits in and around Wadh area. The rocks in the anomalous zone served as good host for podiform chromite and associated mineralization. Shahid Naseem Geochemistry Geology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art6 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art6 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:41 PDT The Historical Center of Merida has been classified as a "zone of high patrimonial value" based on the study of topography and the historical documents that show a long-term occupation, non-interrupted since pre-Columbian times when T'Hó was the great capital of the northern region of the Maya area. For the local government, rehabilitation of the Historical Center of Merida has been a great priority. Among others, this project includes preservation of archaeological remains (pre-Columbian or colonial) and detection of karstic zones under the city. In order to prevent damage to the patrimony, ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were carried out employing 200 and 400 MHz antennas along 16,5 Km of the city streets. After data analysis, it was possible to build a map showing the locations of subsurface karst features and archaeological remains below the street pavement, many of which correlate with archaeological platforms proposed in historic documents as well as some of the cenotes recorded in popular memory. As result, for the first time in Mexico, a local government has information available that will allow them to minimize damage to archaeological remains and mitigate risks associated with construction above shallow subsurface karstic zones within this important modern city. Luis Barba Archeology Environmental Geology Geophysics http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art5 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art5 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:40 PDT This paper describes a series of activities carried out by public institutions, whose aim is to identify possible ways of acquiring knowledge and of allowing enjoyment of the Piemonte Region's geological heritage. The activities concern the inventory, the evaluation, the storage and the publication of information, both alphanumerical and geographical, in relation to geosites. A database accessible directly from Web and a Web-GIS application has been developed in order to supply valuable and comprehensive instruments for both, representing the results of research and promoting the knowledge of the geological heritage to a large number of people. Luca Ghiraldi Geology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art4 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art4 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:38 PDT The results of a long-lasting research of sulphation process, which causes an essential deterioration of marble and limestone monuments in Saint Petersburg are reported. Based on a variety of field and analytical methods we can show that the decay process forming a gypsum-rich patina depends mainly on the local environment, the moisture accumulation, and is connected with the fissuring and porosity of the rock and the relief of a monument. Three main stages of gypsum-rich patina formation in the presence of microorganisms were revealed. Olga V. Frank-Kamenetskaya Environmental Geology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art3 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art3 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:37 PDT The paper presents the mineralogy and petrography of the Proconesian marble and Chersonesian limestone, used as building materials from Antiquity to the medieval times in the Tauric Chersonesos, Crimea. The deterioration process, due to the modern time's pollution and the climatic factors, is represented by forming of mainly gypsum-rich patina. The ubiquitous presence of micromycetes favors the stone decay. Alexander V. Mosyagin Mineralogy & Petrology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art2 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art2 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:35 PDT The small region of Kurbini, situated in the north western part of Albania, faces various hazards, due to the particular geographical position marked by the close neighbourhood of the high mountains and the Adriatic Sea. The hydrological and hydrogeological hazards, the deterioration of the groundwater quality, the intense erosion of the soil, the local acidification/contamination/salinization of the soil, and the desertification of land, are the most important geohazards threatening the area. A complex monitoring of all identified risk factors is necessary in order to avoid catastrophic events and irreversible damages. Arjan Beqiraj Environmental Geology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art1 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss2/art1 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:42:33 PDT Thirty-nine samples of kiln furniture or technical ceramic (firing plate, saggars, spacers, props, wads) and six samples of building ceramics (bricks, tiles) from the manufacture of Granges-le-Bourg were studied by optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The kiln furniture is chemically inhomogeneous and belong to a CaO- + MgO-poor (firing plate, saggars) or a CaO- + MgO-rich (props, spacers, wads) group. Bricks and tiles pertain to the first group which was manufactured using decarbonatized top layers of local Triassic dolomitic marls. For the second group, the deeper layers were used. Plate and saggars are covered with a tin oxide opacified glassy coating with no significant reaction zone to the body. Marino Maggetti Archeology http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss1/art12 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss1/art12 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:36:00 PDT Mine soil development at abandoned coal waste pile (Kukla-Václav Nosek mine, Oslavany) represents a possibility to study initial stages of pedogenetic process. Seven soil profiles were uncovered by digging pits at the base and on the slopes and top of the waste pile. Several conclusions concerning soil development at waste pile are possible on the basis of soil profiles description and basic chemistry: 1. Intensive humification was the main pedogenetic process in the initial stages of mine soil evolution at the Kukla waste pile. There is no translocation of clay minerals even in the soil profiles evolving for about 60 years; 2. The youngest soil situated on the top of the waste pile has the most stable granular aggregates. The stability of aggregates corresponds to the increased representation of the total organic matter; 3. Humus quality of the present topsoils in the Kukla waste pile is substantially influenced by the biological recultivation. Martin Ivanov Soil Science http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss1/art11 http://services.bepress.com/geologia/vol54/iss1/art11 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:35:59 PDT Culture and its heritage play a major role in determining landslide risk in the Central Andes. Examples of some of these many possible influences are provided from natural and social science literature and from the author's recent work in Bolivia. Landslide risk appears to have generally increased throughout the last millennium, due largely to anthropogenic modification of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and coping capacity. These changes result from both local and distant pressures and from contemporaneous and pervious cultural factors. Consequently, holistic examination of landslide risk necessitates consideration of culture and its heritage. Nicholas Roberts Environmental Geology