Aromatic hydrocarbons from the Middle Jurassic fossil wood of the Polish Jura

Aromatic hydrocarbons are present in the fossil wood samples in relatively small amounts. In almost all of the tested samples the dominating aromatic hydrocarbon is perylene and its methyl and dimethyl derivatives. The most important biomarkers present in the aromatic fraction are dehydroabietane, siomonellite and retene, compounds characteristic for conifers. The distribution of discussed compounds is highly variable due to such early diagenetic processes affecting the wood as oxidation and the activity of microorganisms. MPI1 parameter values (methylphenanthrene index) for the majority of the samples are in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, which results in the highly variable values of Rc (converted value of vitrinite reflectance) ranging from 0.45 to 0.70%. Such values suggest that MPI1 parameter is not useful as maturity parameter in case of Middle Jurassic ore-bearing clays, even if measured strictly on terrestrial organic matter (OM). As a result of weathering processes (oxidation) the distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons changes. In the oxidized samples the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons, both polycyclic as well as aromatic biomarkers decreases

Copper matrix composites reinforced with volcanic tuff

This paper presents a manufacturing method, properties and possible use of copper matrix composites reinforced with particles of volcanic tuff. The composites were obtained by powder metallurgy and reinforced with Filipowice tuff mined near Cracow, Poland. The influence of tuff particles content on the properties of the copper matrix composites such as conductivity, durability and microstructure was assessed. Tuff was introduced into a copper matrix in an amount of 5, 15 and 30 % by volume. The composites were used to prepare the nozzle tips of resistance welding electrodes, and initial tests were performed of the behavior and stability of the materials during the welding process of steel sheet

Ordovician Jeleniów Claystone Formation of the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland - reconstruction of redox conditions using pyrite framboid study

The aim of this research is to reconstruct palaeoredox conditions during sedimentation of the Jeleniów Claystone Formation deposits, using framboid pyrite diameter measurements. Analysis of pyrite framboids diameter distribution is an effective method in the palaeoenvironmental interpretation which allow for a more detailed insight into the redox conditions, and thus the distinction between euxinic, dysoxic and anoxic conditions. Most of the samples is characterized by framboid indicators typical for anoxic/euxinic conditions in the water column, with average (mean) values ranging from 5.29 to 6.02 μm and quite low standard deviation (SD) values ranging from 1.49 to 3.0. The remaining samples have shown slightly higher values of framboid diameter typical for upper dysoxic conditions, with average values (6.37 to 7.20 μm) and low standard deviation (SD) values (1.88 to 2.88). From the depth of 75.5 m till the shallowest part of the Jeleniów Claystone Formation, two samples have been examined and no framboids has been detected. Because secondary weathering should be excluded, the lack of framboids possibly indicates oxic conditions in the water column. Oxic conditions continue within the Wólka Formation based on the lack of framboids in the ZB 51.6 sample

A geotouristic valuation of the Marsyangdi Valley in the Annapurna Himal region and its potential for the development of geotourist attractions // Ocena geoturystyczna doliny Marsyangdi regionu Annapurny Himal i jej potencjał w tworzeniu atrakcji geotur.

The Marsyangdi Valley in the Annapurna Himal region is one of the most popular tourist-trekking attractions in Nepal. The performed evaluation of geotourist (geomorphological and hydrographic) objects and phenomena demonstrated a wide range of forms and, correspondingly, a huge potential for the develop- ment of geotourist attractions. The structure of The Marsyangdi Valley, which is a representative of a valley region of the High Himalaya, situated on metamorphic rocks, shows the co-existence of three major geomorphic processes: glacial, fuvial and slope, which determine specifc landscape forms. Since the late 20th cen- tury, the landscape has been heavily affected by anthropogenic factors (grazing, land cultivation, settlement), reaching as far as 3500 meters above sea level, as well as by the dynamic growth and development of tourism. Expanding tourist infrastructure contributes to, inter alia, the degradation of the narrow valley bottom (tourist accommodation) and to increased mass movement on tourist trails. Despite its negative effects, tourism also exerts a positive infuence on the preservation of the cultural heritage (sacred sites), which largely dominate the landscape and are a signifcant tourist attraction. The research was instrumental in de- fning the Marsyangdi Valley, characteristic of a geomorphologi- cal trail, as an excellent and qualifed attraction in geotourist-ex- ploratory tourism. //Dolina Marsyangdi należąca do regionu Annapurny Himal jest jedną z najpopularniejszych atrakcji turystycznych – trekkin- gowych Nepalu. Przeprowadzona pod kątem obiektów i zjawisk geoturystycznych (geomorfologicznych i hydrografcznych) ocena ukazała jej dużą różnorodność form, a tym samym duży poten- cjał atrakcji geoturystycznych. W strukturze doliny Marsyangdi, będącej przykładem dolin obszaru Himalajów Wysokich, wy- różniono współistnienie trzech głównych procesów geomorfolo- gicznych: glacjalnych, fuwialnych i stokowych, warunkujących specyfczne formy o wysokich walorach krajobrazowych, które od końca XX wieku podlegają szybkiej destrukcji w wyniku an- tropopresji. Czynniki antropogeniczne tj. hodowla, uprawa, czy osadnictwo sięgające nawet do 3500 m n.p.m., a obecnie jesz- cze turystyka, przyczyniają się do wzrostu aktywności procesów geomorfologicznych m.in. ruchów masowych, w tym na szlakach turystycznych. Jednakże oprócz negatywnego wpływu turystyki na uwagę zasługuje jej pozytywne oddziaływanie w szczególno- ści w kwestii ochrony dziedzictwa kulturowego, czego przykładem są odnawiane obiekty sakralne stanowiące niezwykłą dominantę krajobrazu oraz istotną atrakcję turystyczną. Badania pozwoliły zdefniować obszar Doliny Marsyangdi jako odpowiedni do upra- wiania turystyki kwalifkowanej, poznawczej – geoturystyki

“American scientists have discovered…” The image of the USA’s scientific output presented in the Polish opinion-forming press

The paper presents the results of the research conducted on the extensive corpus of press material. The purpose of the research was to show the frequency of references to the American scientific sources in the Polish press, specifically in popular science articles published in the weekly and daily papers. The analysis covered the period of 1975–2005 (and also the year 2015). The frequency of references to U.S. sources has been contrasted with the results on references to other countries (Poland, the former USSR, and Russia, in particular), as well as with the bibliographic data on the sum of citations of academic papers in individual countries. The research was carried out using quantitative methods (content analysis, bibliographic analysis of citations). The obtained results confirm the preference of the Polish popular science discourse for the sources originating from the Western culture, especially from the United States

Geotouristic attractions of the Saaremaa Island according to the opinions of tourists.

The article presents chosen geotouristic attractions of Saaremaa. High landscape values and touristic attractiveness are typical of the island. They may be observed in the Vilsandi National Park with rich fauna and fl ora, and geological and morphological forms, together with historic mills, houses, military objects from the 1st and 2nd world wars and industrial objects connected with recent fi shing in the area. Rocky cliffs and the highest cliff in Saaremaa – Panga – as well as the meteorite lake Kaali are other objects with high touristic attractiveness located on a geotouristic trail. Medieval churches from the 12th and 13th centuries and the impressive Kuressaare castle also draw tourists’ attention. The architecture of those buildings refl ects the geological history of the island. As a result of fi eld works, the an understanding of the motivation behind the visitors to the Saarte Geopark was obtained. As such, the author was able to determine their touristic profi le. On the basis of their opinions, an analysis and evaluation of touristic development and touristic attractions infl uencing geotouristic attractiveness of the island was conducted.//W artykule przedstawiono wybrane miejsca geoturystyczne Saaremy, które obok wysokich walorów krajobrazowych wyróżniają się dużą atrakcyjnością turystyczną. Należą do niej m.in. Vilsandi National Park, z bogatą fl orą i fauną, formami geologicznymi i morfologicznymi, z zabytkowymi wiatrakami, domami, obiektami militarnymi z I i II wojny światowej oraz obiektami przemysłowymi związanymi z niedawno jeszcze praktykowanym rybołówstwem. Następnymi obiektami o wysokiej atrakcyjności turystycznej, położonymi na szlaku geoturystycznym, są skalne klify z najwyższym klifem Saremy, Pangą oraz wielka osobliwość przyrodnicza, którą jest jezioro meteorytowe Kaali. Na uwagę zasługują pochodzące z XII i XIII wieku średniowieczne kościoły oraz imponujący zamek w Kuressaare, zawierające w materiałach, z których są zbudowane historię geologiczną wyspy. W wyniku prac terenowych uzyskano wiedzę dotyczącą motywacji odwiedzających Saarte Geopark. W ten sposób określono ich profi l turystyczny. Na podstawie opinii turystów dokonano analizy i oceny zagospodarowania turystycznego oraz walorów turystycznych wpływających na atrakcyjność geoturystyczną wyspy

Miejsce wołoskiego dziedzictwa kulturowego w nauczaniu regionalnym na obszarze Beskidu Małego (Północnej Żywiecczyzny)

The article raises an issue of a place of a highlander cultural heritage of the Beskid Mały in the inhabitants’ regional identity. The agro-shepherd economy, nowadays rejected and forgotten due to urbanization caused by industrial development in the second part of the 20th century, is a part of this heritage. In the article the role played by old Wallachian agro-shepherd economy with its forms which are a great ethnographic curiosity of the region and which shape extraordinary cultural landscape, was presented. Ethno-geographical research allowed to pay attention to the process of cultural illiteracy especially of Wallachian cultural heritage. The attempt to define it was based on school education and complemented with interviews with adult inhabitants of the western Beskid Mały. As researches prove, the knowledge on highlander heritage is presented only in the forms of regional teaching during extracurricular lessons (folk bands, workshops, competitions etc.) organized by regional cultural centers. On the other hand, adult society has problems with defining its cultural affiliation, at the same time influencing objective message of history, tradition and culture.Artykuł przedstawia znaczenie dziedzictwa kulturowego góralszczyzny na obszarze Beskidu Małego północnej Żywiecczyzny dla edukacji regionalnej. Edukacji ta, dla określenia dziedzictwa kulturowego góralszczyzny ze względu na uwarunkowania historyczno-społeczne oraz problemem określenia tożsamości kulturowej mieszkańców, jest trudna do realizacji programu nauczania na poziomie szkolnym. Jak wykazały badania obraną obecnie drogą, jest nauczanie regionalne realizowane przez nielicznych propagatorów wiedzy krajoznawczej podczas lekcji wychowawczych lub historii, a także podczas zajęć pozaszkolnych organizowanych przez gminne ośrodki kultury. Prowadzone badania etno-geograficzne na obszarze Beskidu Małego pozwoliły zwrócić uwagę na proces analfabetyzmu kulturowego genezy góralszczyzny. Zwrócono również uwagę na rolę gospodarki pastersko-rolnej stanowiącej wielką osobliwość etnograficzną regionu w zapisie i ochronie wołoskiego dziedzictwa kulturowego. 

Possibility of Using a Geopolymer Containing Phase Change Materials as a Sprayed Insulating Coating - Preliminary Results

Geopolymers have been known for decades and classified as inorganic polymers, characterized by high resistance to high temperatures. They can be successfully used for the thermal insulation of buildings, especially in the foamed form. The addition of phase change materials (PCMs) in such materials may also increase the heat capacity of the materials, therefore, using them for building cladding can increase the thermal comfort of the building and prevent it from overheating. This study tests the addition of PCMs to geopolymers by spraying and presents the results. Additionally, the study includes preliminary experience concerning the technology of applying these materials, along with selected test results that assess the properties of the produced coatings. The results indicate that the addition of PCMs in the amount of 15% can increase the heat capacity of geopolymer materials by about 150-180%, and the foamed geopolymer coatings produced have a thermal conductivity in the range of 0.07-0.09 W/mK