Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Cryogenic Ridges: A New Speleothem Type, Bogdan P. Onac, Daniel M. Cleary, Oana A. Dumitru, Victor J. Polyak, Ioan Povara, Jonathan G. Wynn, Yemane Asmerom

International Journal of Speleology

Cryogenic cave carbonates have been described from several formerly or presently glaciated karst caves. In most of these occurrences, they precipitated as loose grains or aggregates with various morphologies and sizes. Here, we report on a new speleothem type (cryogenic ridges) identified in Sohodoalele Mici Cave (SW Romania) within a large chamber near the entrance shaft. This study was motivated by the presence of a network of calcite ridges over the stalactites’ surface and by the observation that during winter, these speleothems are covered by a thin ice layer. The higher δ¹⁸O (−3.5 to –1‰) and …

Past Hydroclimate And Vegetation Variation In Romania Inferred From Isotopic Geochemistry And Pollen Of Cave Bat Guano, Daniel Martin Cleary

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While an abundance of paleo-records related to hydroclimate and vegetation exist in East-Central Europe, currently there is a scarcity of reconstructions that have the resolution to effectively capture the past 2000 years. A more complete understanding of this interval is important as it includes significant climatic events such as the Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age, and the post-industrial revolution human induced climate change. A solution to increasing our understanding of these events is the use of cave bat guano, a relatively underutilized source of climatic information.

Cave bat guano piles commonly have near annual deposition and in Europe can …

A Reply To The Comment On “Assessing Preservation Priorities Of Caves And Karst Areas Using The Frequency Of Endemic Cave-Dwelling Species” By Nitzu Et Al. (2018), Int. J. Speleol., 47 (1): 43-52, Eugen I. Nitzu, Ioana N. Meleg, Andrei Giurginca

International Journal of Speleology

No abstract provided.

Caves As Observatories For Atmospheric Thermal Tides: An Example From Ascunsă Cave, Romania, Virgil Drăgușin, Laura Tîrlă, Nicoleta Cadicheanu, Vasile Ersek, Ionuț Mirea

International Journal of Speleology

As part of a microclimate study at Ascunsă Cave, Romania, we used Gemini Tinytag Plus 2 data loggers to record cave air temperature variability. At one of the monitoring points we recognized the presence of semidiurnal cycles on the order of a few thousands of a degree Celsius that could be produced under the influence of the semidiurnal tidal components of the Sun (S₂) or the Moon (M₂). Using a Gemini Tinytag Plus 2 data logger with an external probe we measured core rock temperature and showed that it does not influence the cave air temperature …

Geological Characteristics Of Underground Gas Storages From Romania, Isabela Falk

Studia UBB Geologia

Underground gas storages from Romania are located in south Romania (in the Moesian Platform) and in Transylvanian Basin. They are converted from depleted gas reservoirs. Those from south have bigger capacity because the reservoirs are thick and stratiform, consisting of unconsolidated sand, with high porosity and permeability. The Transylvanian storages have smaller capacity because the layers are thinner, consisting of interbedded sandstones, silts and marls, with many lithological and facies variations, lower porosities and permeabilities. Geology of the reservoir has to be well known before constructing a deposit. Most important parameters are: depth of the reservoir, thickness, porosity, permeability, pore …

New Data On The Western Transylvanides Along The Ampoi Valley (Southern Apuseni Mts., Romania), Erika Suciu-Krausz, Ramona BăLc, Florin Borbei

Studia UBB Geologia

In order to clarify some of the issues regarding the mineralogical content and the source area of the Cretaceous deposits from Ampoi Valley basin (Southern Apuseni Mountains) fourteen lithologic logs were drawn from the Ampoi Valley both side tributaries (Slatinii, Ruzi, Vâltori, Valea lui Paul, Feneş, Călineasa, Fierului Brook, Bobului, Satului, Tăuţi, Galaţi, Presaca Ampoiului, Valea Mică and Valea Mare brooks). The main sedimentary rock types were identified (conglomerates, wacke and lithic sandstones, clays, and marls). The sandstones were classified according to the ternary diagrams. Their petrographic features revealed both a magmatic and a metamorphic source area for them.

Clay Mineral Association In The Salt Formation Of The Transylvanian Basin And Its Paleoenvironmental Significance, Nicoleta Bican-Bris̡An, Alexandru Hosu

Studia UBB Geologia

The investigated clay fraction was separated from salt samples recovered from three boreholes located in the Praid salt deposit area. For comparison, samples collected from Turda deposit (Franz Josef adit, the Rudolf and Ghizele chambers) and from the salt massif from Sărăţel were also analyzed. The qualitative investigations evidenced a clay minerals association dominated by illite and chlorite accompanied by subordinate amounts of kaolinite, smectite, fibrous clays (sepiolite, palygorskite), and in minor amounts, by 14/14 chlorite/vermiculite and chlorite/smectite interstratifications. A quantitative evaluation (%) including a standard graphical representation was performed only for the borehole samples (Praid), according to the vertical …

A Novel Morphological Type Of Siderite In The Jamesonite Paragenesis From Herja (Maramures County, Romania), Virgil Ghiurcă, Dana Pop

Studia UBB Geologia

The loose jamesonite felted masses found in several vein-type Miocene ore deposits in Romania, at Herja in particular, host a very rich and peculiar mineral assemblage. This study concerns a novel morphological type of loose siderite crystals identified in this paragenesis. Additional to their macroscopic and microscopic investigation, powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) analysis was carried out. Based on XRPD patterns, some pseudoxehagonal prisms, up to 10 mm in size, black to dark brown in color, with rugged surfaces and microscopic mosaic-like structures, were proved to be siderite. The described morphological type of siderite represents a novelty for Herja ore deposits, …

Microbialitic Structures In The Sarmatian Carbonate Deposits From Simleu Basin, Hyam Daoud, Ioan I. Bucur, CăLin Bruchental

Studia UBB Geologia

The Sarmatian deposits from the Şimleu basin are developed in two facies: terrigenous and calcareous. An attempt to distinguish the main types of Sarmatian limestone microfacies was made by Bucur et al. (1992). The present study provides more detail of the sedimentary facies and fabrics of these limestones, emphasizing the essential contribution of microbialites to their formation. The following types of microbialite and microbial structure were found: (1) thrombolites with clotted fabric and fenestral structures; (2) microbial crusts on bioclasts; (3) peloidal microbialites (4) agglutinated microbialites; (5) stromatolites and laminoid-fenestral structures. All these structures played an important role in the …

The Impact Of Human Activities In The Gutaiului Mountains, Romania, Angelica Feurdean, Ciprian Astalos

Studia UBB Geologia

The examination of pollen and charcoal from the Gutâiului Mountains in northwestern Romania and the archaeological evidence from surroundings provides some information on how past human activities have changed the vegetation in this region. The first evidence of potential human influence upon the woodlands is manifested by fire clearance recorded at approximately 7900 cal. yr BP coinciding with the Early Neolithic. The charcoal peaks at ca. 5750, 3300, 2700, 1500, 1000 cal. yr BP, and during the last 300 years are associated with episodes of decline of main woodland constituents (Ulmus, Tilia, Fraxinus, and Corylus), and the expansion of fire-precursors …

Upper Cretaceous - Lowermost Miocene Lithostratigraphic Units Exposed In Alba Iulia-Sebes-Vintu De Jos Area (Sw Transylvanian Basin), Vlad Codrea, Emanuel Paul Dica

Studia UBB Geologia

A main area where several Uppermost Cretaceous-Lower Cenozoic formations are exposed in the SW Transylvanian Depression is the region outlined by the localities Alba Iulia, Sebeş, Vinţu de Jos (Alba district). In Maastrichtian, continental formations belonging to the post-Laramian cover began their deposition. In Early Cenozoic, the dominance of continental formations continued, but some short marine transgress events occur too, with specific marine and brackish deposits interbedded into the continental successions. Some new lithostratigraphic units are proposed: Vurpăr (Maastrichtian), Şard (Maastrichtian-Late Eocene), Bărăbanţ (Oligocene) and Sântimbru (Aquitanian) formations. Ighiu Fm. (Late Eocene-Early Oligocene) is also reinterpreted. This region is an …

Tracking Lateglacial And Early Holocene Environmental Change: A Palaeolimnological Study Of Sediment At Preluca Tiganului, Nw Romania, Angelica Feurdean

Studia UBB Geologia

Palaeoecological, palaeohydrological, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Late Glacial and the early Holocene have been performed from sediment accumulated in a small former crater lake, in the GutâI Mountains, NW Romania. Pollen, lithology, mineral magnetic, and loss-on-ignition analyses in conjunction to radiocarbon dating have been use for this purpose. The data indicates that during the Late Glacial period, vegetation dynamics were likely driven by climatic fluctuations. The climate events during the Late Glacial are well mirrored in local vegetation assemblage development, and past lake level fluctuations. These climatic events recorded in south-eastern Europe, are well correlated with the climate events …

Nouvelles Contributions A La Connaisance De L'Histoire De La Vegetation Holocene Des Monts Rodnei (Carpates Orientales), Ioan TanțăU

Studia UBB Geologia

New Contributions to the Knowledge of the Holocene Vegetation History of Rodnei Mountains. Two sequences originating from one peat bog in Poiana Ştiol (Rodnei Mts.) were pollen analyzed. The vegetation history is described since the Atlantic period. In this period the vegetation is dominated by Picea together with Corylus, Ulmus and Alnus viridis. The components frequencies of the Quercetum mixtum (Quercus, Fraxinus, Tilia, Corylus) rarely exceed 10%. The vegetation of the Subboreal period is dominated by the Carpinus and that of the Subatlantic is dominated by Fagus. Picea pollen is well represented belong the entire sequences.

Note On A Meteor Fall Near The Oradea Fortress At The End Of The Xviith Century, Mihai Georgița

Studia UBB Geologia

During the preparation of a new siege of the Austrian imperial army upon the Oradea fortress - still occupied by the Turks, an astronomical event was noticed by the high rank officers. At the end of a long war report forwarded by general Veterani to Emperor Leopold II on the 20th of April 1692, a brief version of a note by general Auersperg on this meteor fall was also included. There he mentioned about a “fire ball” that was noticed in the skies on April 8th around 10 p.m., that went beyond the blockade, fortress and the army forefront, and …

Mineralogy Of The Pollutant Products Formed In The Masca Exploration Area (Lower Iara Valley Basin, Cluj County, Romania), Lucreția Ghergari, Judit Gál

Studia UBB Geologia

In the present study the mineralogy of a tailing dam situated in the Maşca mining area is discussed. Our aim was to point out the physicochemical processes, which occur under the action of the exogenous factors. The studied samples were collected from different levels of the dam wall, from the Maşca mine and Iara river waters. The applied analytical methods are: transmission polarized microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and atomic absorption spectrometry. The physicochemical parameters have been measured in situ and in the laboratory. The minerals present in the tailings are represented by: garnets (andradite-grossular and almandine series), diopside, …

Raman Spectroscopy On Gem-Quality Microcrystalline And Amorphous Silica Varieties From Romania, Dana Pop, Ciprian Constantina, Dan TăTar, Wolfgang Kiefer

Studia UBB Geologia

Previous micro-Raman investigations on a wide range of types of microcrystalline silica samples have evidenced the presence of a new silica polymorph, i.e. moganite, in virtually every sample. In order to test the ubiquity of moganite in such geological materials in Romania, micro-Raman measurements were performed on gem-quality microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony, including agate and jasper) and additionally on quasi-amorphous silica (opal, silicified wood) samples from different occurrences. All the studied materials, including the quasi-amorphous varieties contain moganite in variable amounts (from traces up to local concentrations of 75 wt. %). Establishing correlations between colour and texture of the chemically-“pure” micro-crystalline …

Metallogeny Of The Gold Quadrilateral: Style And Characteristics Of Epithermal - Subvolcanic Mineralized Structures, South Apuseni Mts., Romania, Șerban-Nicolae Vlad, Eugen Orlandea

Studia UBB Geologia

The Romanian territory contains numerous ore deposits mined since pre-Roman times. An assessment of historical gold production of the Gold Quadri-lateral (GQ) yielded a total estimate of 55.7 Moz of gold throughout an area of 2400 km2. Interpreted in terms of mineralization density this is 23,208 oz of gold/ km2. The geological setting of the GQ is represented mainly by Tertiary (14.7 My to 7.4 My) calc-alkaline volcano-plutonic complexes of intermediate character in sedimentary basins of molasse type. These basins are tectonically controlled by NW-SE lineation across early Alpine magmatic products, i.e. subduction related Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous igneous association (island arc …

Correlations Between The Air Pollution And The Rainfall Composition In Jiului Valley Area, Eugen Traistă, MăDăLina Ionică, Vlad Codrea, Ovidiu Barbu

Studia UBB Geologia

Rainfall composition is conditional on the air quality. If the air is polluted, the rainfall will be also polluted. In fact, rainfall contains the same compounds like the air as nitrites, nitrates, sulphites, sulphates, ammonia etc. Some cations like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium are present in rainfall because of dust. This paper presents the air qualities and the soil composition influenced by the rainfall in one of the most polluted mining areas from our country, Jiului Valley.

Facies Analysis Of The Late Cretaceous Deposits From Corni Quarry (North-Eastern Border Of Gilău Mountains), Emanoil SăSăRan, Liana SăSăRan

Studia UBB Geologia

The Late Cretaceous deposits outcropping along the northeastern border of Gilău Mountains form a NW-SE-oriented crest. The crest is delimited westwards by the crystalline formations of Baia de Arieş Nappe. Within these deposits, two distinctive sedimentary complexes could be separated: a) The Gosau-type facies formation, that can be correlated to the “Lower Gosau Subgroup” (Wagreich & Faupl, 1994), represented by alluvial/fluvial fans and shallow marine deposits; b) The flysch-type formation, that is similar with the “Upper Gosau Subgroup” (Wagreich & Faupl, 1994) and includes deep sea deposits (hemipelagites/turbidites).The syndepositional and postdepositional tectonics controlled the sedimentation and facies distribution; the shallow …

Aspects De L'Histoire De La Végétation Tardiglaciaire Et Holocène Dans La Région Des Subcarpates De La Courbure (Subcarpates De Buzau), Ioan TanțăU, Maurice Reille, Sorina FăRcaș, Jacques-Louis De Beaulieu

Studia UBB Geologia

A Late Glacial - Holocene sequence from the Bisoca peat bog (Buzăului Subcarpathians) was studied from palynological point of view. The vegetation history, supported by 12 14C dates is described since the end of the Late Glacial. At the onset of the Holocene Ulmus became established by around 9,700 B.P.; Quercus, Fraxinus, Tilia, Corylus became established almost simultaneously by around 9,500 B.P. The local establishment of Carpinus is about 6,200 B.P. Its maximum occurred since 5,000 B.P. Fagus pollen is regularly recorded since 7,000 B.P. Its absolute dominance took place at about 2,000 B.P.

Microbial Structures And Microencrusters In The Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous Deposits From Buila-Vânturariţa Massif (South Carpathians), Andreea Ut̡A, Ioan I. Bucur

Studia UBB Geologia

The Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous limestones from Buila-Vânturariţa massif partly consisting of reef build-ups, are characterised by an important component of microbial organisms. This paper describes and illustrates some of the most important structures interpreted as having a microbial nature: “Tubiphytes” and Bacinella-type structures, cyanobacterial structures, micritic crusts, and peloidal structures. Most of these structures are related to different shallow-water environments, from intertidal, high-energy environment, to protected low energy subtidal environment.

Secondary Sulfates Found In An Old Adit From Rosia Montana, Romania, Bogdan P. Onac, Daniel Vereș, Joe Kearns, Mirona Chirienco, Adrian Minuț, Radu Breban

Studia UBB Geologia

Recent investigation on several secondary minerals formed in old mining galleries in the Cârnic district (Roşia Montană, Romania) enabled us to characterize ten minerals. Out of these ten identified minerals, the discovery of jokokuite is the first reported occurrence in the Carpathians. A second mineral identified as apjohnite represents a new occurrence in Romania. Along with these two rare minerals, some other species of the halotrichite group (pickeringite, halotrichite, apjohnite, and dietrichite), iron sulfates, and K-Al sulfates were identified. Minerals were identified using light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The chemical composition of …

The First Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Dinosaur Footprints From Transylvania (Romania), Matei Vremir, Vlad A. Codrea

Studia UBB Geologia

An Uppermost Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) site exposing dinosaur footprints is reported from the Sebes̡ area (Transylvanian Depression). This is the first dinoturbated layer discovered in our country, containing also numerous bones belonging to various dinosaurs. The track-site is located near Lancrăm village and provides only two quite well preserved footprints (one track). The medium sized (FL = 23,3 cm; FW = 17,8 cm; pace = 103 cm; ST = 200 cm) plantigrad-tridactyle footprints belong to Ornithopedoidei, according to their morphology. An assignment to the Iguanodontichnus CASAMIQUELA & FASOLA, 1968 group seems to be appropriate (tentatively, associated to the “Rhabdodon” iguanodontian dinosaur). …

Preliminary Data On The Mineralogy Of Limestone And Skarn-Hosted Caves From Baita (Bihor County, Romania), Bogdan P. Onac, Paul Damm

Studia UBB Geologia

This paper presents the mineralization of five medium-size limestone-caves and eleven skarn-hosted caves from the upper part of Cri¿ul B¾ißei River (Bihor Mountains). Apart from berlinite – AlPO4, the other minerals reported from the limestone caves are common carbonates, phosphates or oxy-hydroxides. In turn, the skarn-hosted caves contain a diversity of minerals, including wittichenite, luzonite, natrolite, norsethite, rosasite, glaukosphaerite, aurichalcite, azurite, malachite and chalcanthite. Five of these minerals have never before been identified in a cave environment and moreover, three are new occurrences in Romania. Some of these minerals are hydrothermal in origin, whereas alteration and/or hydration of primary hydrothermal …

A Paleoecological Reconstruction Of The Late Glacial And Holocene Based On Multidisciplinary Studies At Steregoiu Site (Gutai Mts., Romania), Angelica Feurdean, Leif BjöRkman, Barbara Wohlfarth

Studia UBB Geologia

High resolution analyses of pollen, mineral magnetic properties, loss of ignition, lithostratigraphy and AMS 14C measurements of lake sediments and peat deposits accumulated in the former crater lake of Steregoiu (Gutâiului Mts., NW Romania), gave new and important information about vegetation and climate changes from the period GS-2 to the present. During the Lateglacial, three cold events were recorded: before 14,700 cal. years BP (GS-2), 14,050–13,800 cal. years BP (GI-1d), 12,900-11,500 cal. years BP (GS-1), and a warm climatic event between 13,800-12,950 cal. years BP (GI-1c to GL-1a). The Late Glacial/Holocene transition around 11,500 cal. years BP, was determined by …

Aspects Of Romanian Early Jurassic Palaeobotany And Palynology. Part Iv. A New Species Of Weltrichia From Anina, Mihai E. Popa

Studia UBB Geologia

A new species of bennettite genus Weltrichia BRAUN, Weltrichia givulescui n.sp., is defined, described and discussed. Its age is Sinemurian and it was recorded associated with Zamites aninaensis foliage from Anina, South Carpathians, Resita Basin, where these species are confined to the upper sandstone sequences of the Valea Tereziei Member, Steierdorf Formation, between the Coal seams no. 6 and 8.

Liotia Ornata N.Sp. (Mollusca, Gastropoda) From Badenian Of Borod Basin (Nw Romania), Mirela Popa

Studia UBB Geologia

A new small-sized gastropod species was identified in Badenian deposits (Borod Formation) in the eastern part of Borod Basin (west of Apuseni Mts.), and was described in this study under Liotia ornata n. sp.

Coralgal Facies Of The Upper Eocene-Lower Oligocene Limestones In Letca-Rastoci Area, Ioana Prica

Studia UBB Geologia

In this paper are described the coralgal facies identified in the Upper Eocene-Lower Oligocene limestone succession (Cozla Formation) outcropping in two quarries at Letca and Rastoci (Sălaj district, Romania). In the studied profiles the coral and algae limestones are interlayered with bioclastic limestones with foraminifera. On the top of relatively deep water deposits, coral and algae crusts and dendritic corals coated by algae were deposited. The environment registered a gradual deepening, the deposits being completely immersed, while bioclastic limestones with foraminifera were recurrently formed. This cycle is repeated, the whole succession being caracterized by several such “parasequences”.

Contributions To The Knowledge Of Flora And Vegetation Of The Tertiary In The Extracarpathian Area Of Romania, RăZvan Givulescu

Studia UBB Geologia

The author presents the fossil flora and vegetation of the extracarpathian regions of Romania: on one hand, the Eocene-Oligocene-Late Dacian fossil floras from the southern area, and on the other hand - the Sarmatian ones from the eastern area. It is insisted on the Sarmatian as compared to the one from Transylvania. There are important similarities with the southern area, but none as concerns the eastern one. The characteristic feature of the area comprised between the Carpathians and the Prut is the absence of the Lauraceae and the massive presence of Betulaceae. The author suggests the creation of a palaeofitogeographic …

Late Quaternary Palaeoclimate Reconstruction Based On Clay Minerals Assemblage From Preluca Tiganului (Gutai Mountains, Romania), Lucreția Ghergari, Bogdan P. Onac

Studia UBB Geologia

Several core samples were extracted from the overgrown crater lake of Preluca Tiganului, NW Romania. The overall lithology and the mineral assemblages (mostly clay) described from different levels within these cores, suggest three main periods having humid or dry conditions. Based on these findings, palaeoclimate conditions can be reconstructed the over the time period spanning 15,000 to 13,500 cal. years BP.