Structure and thermal history of the Wełnowiec dump, Poland : a municipal dump rehabilitated with coal waste

The Wełnowiec municipal dump, Katowice, Poland, rehabilitated with coal waste, is self-heating and igniting. This paper presents a novel application of the use of electrical- and resistivity geophysical methods in the investigation of burning coal waste to help explain why the heating occurred. Geoelectrical methods allowed the internal structure of the dump to be revealed, and the municipal wastes and their rehabilitation cover containing coal waste to be differentiated. Instead of a planned 2.2-m-thick multi-barrier system, the cover consists of irregularly distributed material of varying thickness ( 5%). This caused the fire to arise 3–4 years after the coal waste deposition. In areas where the rehabilitation layer is<3m thick, a landslide enabled oxygen access, initiating self-heating. Changes in conductivity clearly identify sites of active burning where measured conductivity values are more than twice those for parts of the dump with no thermal activity. Field observations in particular, complemented to a degree by petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data, enabled four types of heating zones to be distinguished, namely, (1) initial zones of fire overtaking new volumes of coal waste, (2) active zones with temperatures < 400–500 °C in exhalation vents, (3) overburned zones characterized by long-lasting high temperatures (800-900 °C) and (4) short-lived zones, ephemeral (< 1–2 months) with temperatures between 70 and 100 °C. The geophysical methods applied could not distinguish between these zones. The combined results strongly suggest that the use of coal waste as a remediation layer covering waste dumps should be prohibited. Coal waste which, by its nature, is too prone to unpredictable self-heating and self-ignition with the potential environmental consequences that follow

Algal mats transport diaspores and carpological remains in shallow lakes

Algal mats in lakes and reservoirs can transport diaspores and carpological remains of plants, and thus may influence the creation of taphocoenoses. In 2012, I quantified carpological remains in two types of algal mats from a small reservoir in southern Poland. Mats formed by filamentous algae participate primarily in the original transport of diaspores, and can influence their concentration and facilitate their migration, mainly between the shores of the reservoir. Diatom mats partake primarily in diaspore redeposition, but can also cause their dispersal between the shore zone and the central part of the reservoir. This research demonstrates that mats built by diatoms contain far more remains and are more biologically diverse than filamentous algal mats. Movement of carpological remains observed in both types of algal mats points to their role in the formation of taphocoenoses and suggests that algal mats must be considered when interpreting macrofossil records

Organic geochemistry of the Grodziec beds (Upper Carboniferous) : Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland

Five lithologically different rock samples from the "Niwka" brickyard exposure, including one coal sample, were geochemically characterized as regards their mineral composition and sedimentary organic matter present in them. Various methods, including: X-ray diffraction, solvent extraction, group separation by preparative thin layer chromatography, infra-red spectroscopy for assessment of the content of different functional groups in total rock extracts and their separated polar compound fractions, and capillary gas chromatography for analysis of aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions. It was found that the "Niwka" brickyard rocks are rich in organic material present as the plant detritus (cane-break) or as compounds adsorbed on clay and carbonaceous minerals. Yields of bitumen extraction, group composition of extracts and content of various functional groups assessed by infra-red spectra seem to be related to mineral composition of the host rocks and type of kerogen present. Higher contents of clay minerals, especially chlorite, enriches both extracts and their polar compound fractions in aliphatic structures while the organic matter of both sandstones analysed contains more condensed aromatic structures and functional oxygen groups. Generally the organic matter of the host rocks was deposited in an oxic environment and belongs to type III kerogen with a dominant terrestrial biogenic source or to type II kerogen of bacterial/terrestrial origin of primary biogenic matter. Its thermal maturity stage can be estimated as end-diagenetic or early catagenetic. The highest maturity is shown by the organic matter in the basal sandstone (the S2 sandstone) and probably is caused by imput of older migrating bitumen. Biodegradation of organic matter seems to be influenced by the mineral composition of the host rock, with a high content of clay minerals giving protection

Biological markers and stable carbon isotope studies of bitumen impregnating Quaternary sediments at Starunia palaeontological site and vicinity (Carpathian region, Ukraine)

Biological markers and stable carbon isotopic compositions of bitumen impregnating the Pleistocene and Holocene sediments around the Starunia palaeontological site (Carpathian region, Ukraine) near discovered remnants of a mammoth and three woolly rhinoceroses, and one almost completely preserved rhinoceros carcass found in 1907 and 1929, were investigated. The research was carried out to assess genetic connections between the bitumen and oils from the nearby deep accumulations of the Boryslav-Pokuttya and Skyba units of the Carpathians. Another aim of these geochemical studies was to reveal the secondary geochemical processes (oxidation and biodegradation) influencing the bitumen, and to determine which environments have been favourable or unfavourable for the preservation of large Pleistocene vertebrates. Bitumen included within the near-surface rocks are not genetically connected with residual organic matter present in Quaternary sediments. Geochemical features, such as distributions of pentacyclic triterpanes and steranes, biomarker parameters and isotope composition indicate that all bitumens originate from oil-prone, Type II kerogen with insignificant admixture of terrestrial Type III kerogen in the middle stage of catagenesis. The oils occurring in deep accumulations in the Starunia area were the sole source of bitumen found in the near-surface sediments. Input of immature organic matter to bitumen from Pleistocene and Holocene sediments has not been found. The main factors differentiating the bitumen were: biodegradation, water washing and/or weathering. Additional influence of transport of bitumen by brine was found. The most favourable conditions for preservation of large, extinct mammals within the Pleistocene muds exist in the vicinity of Nos 22 and 23 boreholes, where bitumen is best preserved. The worst conditions were found in the vicinity of Nos 1, 4, 4' and 15 boreholes. Intensification of biodegradation and weathering effects were followed by intensive, chaotic changes of the remnants of large Pleistocene mammals