Metal-bearing particles in snow deposits and stream sediment from a steelworks area in Ravne were analysed using SEM/EDS. The analysis showed that the most important identified metal-bearing phases in both media belonged to anthropogenic phases, such as irregular and spherical Fe-oxides, Fe-alloys, and Fe-silicates with variable contents of Cr, Mn, Ni, V, W, and Mo. Comparison of these phases and their characteristics in both media showed agreement in their compositions and morphologies and indicated their sources are high-temperature processes in steel production. It also showed that spherical metal-bearing phases were transported by the same transport medium, which is the atmosphere, while other phases were transported into stream sediment mostly by other pathways, such as precipitation runoff over contaminated surfaces.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2310229
Different grain size fractions of clastic sediments (40–65, 0.5–3, and ( 0.5 mm) from the Divje babe I cave were chemically analysed. Divje Babe 1 is one of the most important paleolitical sites in Slovenia, and a site where neandertal flute made of bone was discovered. In the chemical composition of the medium and fine fractions, four groups of variables were revealed. Vertical distributions of P2O5, SiO2, and U in the fine fraction suggest five geochemical boundaries. A negative correlation between the content of SiO2 and cavernously corroded clasts (indicating a humidity), indicates a dominant aeolian transport of non-carbonate material into the cave. The chemical characteristics of non-carbonate material indicate that source rocks probably belong to the Triassic volcanic, volcanogenic and terrigenous sedimentary rocks. The formation and transformation of cave sediments were affected by climate and to some extent by the duration of sediment exposure to surface conditions on the cave floor. Congelifracts, a product of frost action, and cavernously corroded clasts, a result of corrosion by condensation and percolating water, were formed before being covered by younger sediments. Thus, the distributions of congelifracts and cavernously corroded clasts can be used to interpret climate changes in the period of 39.7 to 116.1 ka, with at least four hiatuses lasting from 9.0 to 39.7 ky. Based on the relative abundance of congelifracts, the palaeoclimate record can be correlated with global temperature changes established by oxygen isotopes δ18O from the Greenland ice. The results were published in 2 papers in the same journal, placed in the first quartile.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2430293
The purpose of contribution is to present the result of first systematic multi-element soil characterisation along the Stavnja River (Bosnia and Herzegovina), known for its iron mining and processing, and brown coal mining activities. Attention to trace metals contamination associated with mining activities has risen in the last decades because of the associated health hazards and risks. The goal of this work is the presentation of chemical composition of soil along the entire Valley in relation to lithological backgrounds, dominant natural and anthropogenic and other influential factors. According to the results of multivariate statistics such as cluster analysis, and factor analysis (FA), four dominant geochemical associations of elements were recognized. The spatial distributions of particular elements across the urban and industrial as well as countryside were determined using the universal kriging method. The proportions of anthropogenic and geogenic impact to metal concentrations in topsoil and subsoil was assessed. The association represents the chemical elements mostly anthropogenically entered into environment. Distribution of this association represents the consequences of influences mining and metallurgical activities in the past. Three natural geochemical associations: Ni-Cr-Co-Mg, Th-La-As-Sc, and Al-Ti-V-Ga are mainly influenced by heterogeneous lithology units properties.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2423893
The paper presents the results of granulometrical, geochemical and mineralogical characterisation of sediments underlying the Velenje lignite seam as drilled through the P-9k/92 borehole in the central part of the Pliocene intramontane Velenje Basin. This study of differently lithified sediments/sedimentary rocks is based on analyses of 32 samples from 21 core intervals at the depth of 562.6–580.0 m (end of the borehole). Grain size was analysed on 12 samples, 24 samples were investigated geochemically, while mineral composition was obtained with X-ray diffraction (XRD) on 23 samples, and optical microscopy was performed on 7 samples. Granulometry of very low lithified samples revealed that they are mostly clayey silts ()85 % of the silt fraction), only two are silty sands and one is pebbly/rubbly sandstone. Well-lithified clastites are all sandstones cemented by calcite, siderite and/or marcasite. Geochemical analysis indicated that most samples are SiO2 + Al2O3 rich ()60–80 %). Some sediments, mostly at the base of the profile, are enriched in Fe2O3 and inorganic C both indicating the presence of siderite. At the top of the profile, thin limestone and gravelly sandstone beds contain a high CaO content and have high loss on ignition (LOI). Qualitative XRD analysis and microscopy showed that all clastic sediments consist of quartz, kaolinite and muscovite/illite. Feldspars occur sporadically, mainly in sands and sandstones. Gypsum was found in some samples of siltstones. Pyrite occurs only in a sample of limestone at the top of the profile. Also marcasite was found only in one sample.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2425685
The paper provides a description of the petrographic and mechanical characteristics of granodiorite from the Pohorje Mountains (NE Slovenia) and of its use as a natural stone. The stone is a grey coloured calc-alkaline igneous rock of Miocene age (18.7 Ma). It is considered the highest quality natural stone in Slovenia. It is characterised by high density, low water absorption, and low open porosity, so that it exhibits high frost and salt resistance, as well as a high compressive strength and an extremely high flexural strength. It is widely recognized throughout Slovenia by its durability and its decorative white aplite-pegmatite veins, and is currently the most frequently used natural stone in Slovenia. It is mainly used as paving and cladding material for residential buildings, churches, and other structures, as well as in public areas, where it adds special character to many of the larger towns and cities. Several important buildings, some of which have been declared cultural monuments of national importance, are also decorated with this stone, including the Slovenian Parliament, the Republic Square business complex, and the Faculty of Law of the University of Ljubljana, if we mention just the ones located in Ljubljana.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2173543