The bear in Eurasian plant names: Motivations and models

Ethnolinguistic studies are important for understanding an ethnic group's ideas on the world, expressed in its language. Comparing corresponding aspects of such knowledge might help clarify problems of origin for certain concepts and words, e.g. whether they form common heritage, have an independent origin, are borrowings, or calques. The current study was conducted on the material in Slavonic, Baltic, Germanic, Romance, Finno-Ugrian, Turkic and Albanian languages. The bear was chosen as being a large, dangerous animal, important in traditional culture, whose name is widely reflected in folk plant names. The phytonyms for comparison were mostly obtained from dictionaries and other publications, and supplemented with data from databases, the co-authors' field data, and archival sources (dialect and folklore materials). More than 1200 phytonym use records (combinations of a local name and a meaning) for 364 plant and fungal taxa were recorded to help find out the reasoning behind bear-nomination in various languages, as well as differences and similarities between the patterns among them. Among the most common taxa with bear-related phytonyms were Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Heracleum sphondylium L., Acanthus mollis L., and Allium ursinum L., with Latin loan translation contributing a high proportion of the phytonyms. Some plants have many and various bear-related phytonyms, while others have only one or two bear names. Features like form and/or surface generated the richest pool of names, while such features as colour seemed to provoke rather few associations with bears. The unevenness of bear phytonyms in the chosen languages was not related to the size of the language nor the present occurence of the Brown Bear in the region. However, this may, at least to certain extent, be related to the amount of the historical ethnolinguistic research done on the selected languages

Future prospects for CO2 storage in geological structures of the Rotliegend Poznań Basin

Budowa geologiczna basenu Poznania, stanowiącego część polskiego permskiego basenu czerwonego spągowca, stwarza bardzo korzystne warunki do wielkoskalowej sekwestracji CO2. Znacznej miąższości utwory o korzystnych parametrach petrofizycznych, których przestrzeń porowa jest wypełniona solanką, tworzą megastrukturę przykrytą szczelnie od góry znaczącym pakietem ewaporatów cechsztyńskich o doskonałych parametrach izolujących. Szczelność tę potwierdzają liczne złoża gazu ziemnego, które utworzyły się w lokalnych niewielkich wyniesieniach morfologicznych. Z kolei szczelność peryferyjnych części niecki poznańskiej (kompleksu składowania) dokumentują złoża gazu, wytworzone w formie pułapek litologicznych na skutek wyklinowania się warstw kolektorskich czerwonego spągowca bądź zaniku jego cech zbiornikowych. Ten ogromny zawodniony zbiornik dodatkowo jest nasycony gazem ziemnym rozpuszczonym do warunków nasycenia w jego wysoko zmineralizowanych solankach. Znaczna ilość złóż gazu ziemnego została już wyeksploatowana, pozostała jednak infrastruktura instalacji powierzchniowych, a szczególnie korytarzy gazociągów przesyłowych, które mogłyby być wykorzystane do przesyłu sekwestrowanego CO2, np. z aglomeracji Poznania. Wykonane do chwili obecnej modelowania statyczne i dynamiczne, potwierdziły możliwość składowania w omawianej megastrukturze kilkuset mln ton CO2.Rotliegend geology of the Poznań Basin, being part of the Polish Permian Basin, provides favourable conditions for large-scale CO2 storage. The Rotliegend deposits of significant thickness and advantageous petrophysical parameters, where the pore space is filled by brine, form a mega-structure sealed at the top by a thick unit of Zechstein evaporites. The quality of these seals is confirmed by the existence of several gas fields, originated in relatively small geomorphological traps. In turn, integrity of peripheral parts of the storage complex in the Poznań Basin is proven by the presence of gas fields originated as stratigraphic (upslope thinning reservoir lithofacies) or digenetic (decreasing reservoir conditions) gas traps. In addition, this large aquifer is saturated by natural gas, dissolved in highly mineralized brines, up to the maximum saturation phase. The majority of gas fields are depleted, but surface infrastructure has remained, especially gas pipeline systems, which can be used for transferring sequestrated CO2, for example, from Poznań agglomeration. Static and dynamic modeling has proved the possibility of storage of several hundred million metric tons of CO2 in this mega-structure

Ordovician-Silurian shale gas resources potential in Poland : evaluation of Gas Resources Assessment Reports published to date and expected improvements for 2014 forthcoming Assessment

The paper comprises a brief history and results of Assessment Reports of shale gas resources for the Polish Ordovician-Silurian Basin. The Reports have been confronted in the context of used criteria of assessing. The comparison shows that the early, most optimistic assessments (Wood Mackenzie, ARI & EIA) were based on very generalized data and different assessment methods than those used in the PGI and USGS Reports. In turn, the PGI and USGS Reports, based on USGS assessment methodology, were not so diverse taking into account the presented extreme low values of recoverable gas resources and the used methods of shale gas occurrence probability. The terms EUR (Estimated Ultimate Recovery) and AU (Assessment Unit), used in the USGS methodology of shale gas and shale oil resources assessment are characterized. The paper also presents assessment methods of technically and economically recoverable shale gas, and the significance of "sweet spots" as areas with the greatest probability for shale gas productivity. Finally, proposals for the reconstruction of future work on the new assessment (at the turn of 2014) of recoverable shale gas resources for the Polish Ordovician-Silurian Basin are recommended. The future assessment of shale gas resources should be more detailed, not only due to new geological input data (including results of exploration wells), but also thanks to segmentation of the whole Ordovician-Silurian assessment area into five smaller regional assessment units. The paper presents the criteria of area segmentation and the characteristics of proposed assessment units. The key geological, geophysical and geochemical criteria, which should be taken into consideration in the methodology of new shale gas resources assessment, are compiled. Moreover, to better understand the peculiarity of the Polish Ordovician-Silurian shales and reservoir attributes, and to fit these to shale gas recovery technology, the lessons coming from the US shale basins are discussed. In summarizing, the authors, presenting the conclusions and recommendations, refer to future shale gas resources assessment that, in their opinion, would help particularize the results and thus make them more authenticated

Sand sheets interaction with aeolian dune, alluvial and marginal playa beds in Late Permian Upper Rotliegend setting (western part of the Poznań Basin, Poland)

The Upper Rotliegend deposits of the western part of the Poznań Basin, Poland, represent three main sedimentary environments: aeolian desert (dunes and sand sheets), alluvial plain (alluvial covers with wadi deposits) and marginal playa. In arid periods, dunes prograded into areas dominated by alluvial sedimentation. During wet periods, alluvial deposits eroded the aeolian deposits and prograded onto dune fields. Playa sediments were deposited among aeolian or alluvial sediments during periodic expansions of the playa. These aeolian, alluvial and playa deposits are arranged in depositional sequences. Boundaries between sequences are marked by rapid changes in depositional facies; and by erosional bounding surfaces. Maximum Wetting Surfaces have been distinguished within some parts of the depositional sequences, which enable regional correlations. The sections studied are composed of thick sequences of sand and sand-gravel sheets. The sand sheets represent periods of stratigraphic condensation. Systems of sand sheets are typical of marginal areas of ergs. We distinguish nine depositional complexes (units) numbered 1-9 from base to top, respectively. These subdivisions are based on the interpretation of the sedimentological record in palaeoclimatic terms, and in terms of major erosional boundaries, which are probably of regional extent. In the aeolian deposits, major boundaries are associated with deflation surfaces related to the stabilization of groundwater levels. In the marginal playa deposits, the most important boundaries are correlated to transgressive surfaces that developed during playa expansion. Time gaps represented by the boundaries and the scale of erosion below them, are difficult to estimate. The depositional system of the Upper Rotliegend was dominated by sand and sand-gravel sheets, and is either a unique feature in the entire Southern Permian Basin or, as we assume, sand sheets occur more com monly in the Rotliegend than has been previously thought

Geology of the Zechstein basement of the Legnica-Głogów Copper District (LGOM) and its surroundings: a critical overview

Dokonano przeglądu dotychczasowych badań i koncepcji dotyczących tektoniki podcechsztyńskiego podłoża Legnicko- -Głogowskiego Okręgu Miedziowego (LGOM). Przedstawiono własną, zmodyfikowaną wersję modelu budowy jednostek strukturalnych tego podłoża oraz rozwoju i zasięgu dolnopermskiej pokrywy osadowej. Zastosowano zintegrowaną analizę sedymentologiczną, strukturalno-tektoniczną w powiązaniu z analizą danych geofizycznych, grawimetrycznych i magnetycznych. Zaproponowano model, w którym skały podcechsztyńskiego podłoża obszaru LGOM przypisano do północnej strefy waryscyjskich internidów, a tym samym do bloku przedsudeckiego. Przedłużenie na północ bloku przedsudeckiego jest reprezentowane przez blok Sieroszowic znajdujący się w obrębie strefy środkowej Odry, reprezentowanej przez środkowoodrzańskie uskoki, odpowiednio – południowy i północny. W środkowej części obszaru LGOM znajduje się jednostka tektoniczna określona jako rów Głogowa, w północnej części – uskok śląsko-lubuski oraz fragment południowej części rozległej strefy rozłamów środkowej Odry.On the background of a critical review of earlier studies and concepts concerning the structure of the Zechstein basement of LGOM, the authors’s own, modified version of its tectonic model is presented, accompanied by that explaining the sedimentation and areal extent of the Lower Permian sedimentary cover. Integrated sedimentological, structural and tectonic analysis was applied in conjunction with geophysical analysis based on gravimetric and magnetic data. As a result of the analysis, the pre-Permian basement of the LGOM area is interpreted to be part of the northern Variscan internides and, at the same time, to constitutea northerly extension of the Fore-Sudetic Block (Sieroszowice Block). Within the LGOM area, in its southern part, there are Middle Odra Fault Zone, comprising the southern Middle Odra Fault (Lubin trough) and northern Middle Odra Fault, separated with the Sieroszowice Block. In the middle part of the LGOM area located is the Głogów trough, cut by the Silesia-Lubusz fault in its northern segment and by the southern part of the vast Middle Odra Deep Fracture Zone

Ordovician-Silurian shale gas resources potential in Poland : evaluation of Gas Resources Assessment Reports published to date and expected improvements for 2014 forthcoming Assessment

The paper comprises a brief history and results of Assessment Reports of shale gas resources for the Polish Ordovician-Silurian Basin. The Reports have been confronted in the context of used criteria of assessing. The comparison shows that the early, most optimistic assessments (Wood Mackenzie, ARI & EIA) were based on very generalized data and different assessment methods than those used in the PGI and USGS Reports. In turn, the PGI and USGS Reports, based on USGS assessment methodology, were not so diverse taking into account the presented extreme low values of recoverable gas resources and the used methods of shale gas occurrence probability. The terms EUR (Estimated Ultimate Recovery) and AU (Assessment Unit), used in the USGS methodology of shale gas and shale oil resources assessment are characterized. The paper also presents assessment methods of technically and economically recoverable shale gas, and the significance of "sweet spots " as areas with the greatest probability for shale gas productivity. Finally, proposals for the reconstruction of future work on the new assessment (at the turn of 2014) of recoverable shale gas resources for the Polish Ordovician-Silurian Basin are recommended. The future assessment of shale gas resources should be more detailed, not only due to new geological input data (including results of exploration wells), but also thanks to segmentation of the whole Ordovician-Silurian assessment area into five smaller regional assessment units. The paper presents the criteria of area segmentation and the characteristics of proposed assessment units. The key geological, geophysical and geochemical criteria, which should be taken into consideration in the methodology of new shale gas resources assessment, are compiled. Moreover, to better understand the peculiarity of the Polish Ordovician-Silurian shales and reservoir attributes, and to fit these to shale gas recovery technology, the lessons coming from the US shale basins are discussed. In summarizing, the authors, presenting the conclusions and recommendations, refer to future shale gas resources assessment that, in their opinion, would help particularize the results and thus make them more authenticated

Potential for shale gas and tight gas exploration in Poland

Głównym obiektem, spełniającym kryteria decydujące o możliwości występowania gazu ziemnego w skałach ilastych, są utwory górnego ordowiku i syluru w basenie bałtyckim i basenie lubelsko-podlaskim. Kryteria takie częściowo spełniają również ilaste kompleksy w obrębie utworów dolnego karbonu w strefie wielkopolskiej (rejon monokliny przedsudeckiej). Niekonwencjonalne akumulacje gazu ziemnego w skałach ilasto-mułowcowych, aczkolwiek o bakteryjnej genezie, mogą występować również w mioceńskim zapadlisku przedkarpackim. Największe perspektywy dla poszukiwania złóż gazu ziemnego zamkniętego związane są z eolicznymi i fluwialnymi piaskowcami czerwonego spągowca, głównie w strefie NE monokliny przedsudeckiej. Akumulacje gazu ziemnego zamkniętego mogą występować również w piaskowcach kambryjskich na obszarze kratonu wschodnioeuropejskiego, środkowo- i górnodewońskich utworach węglanowych w basenie lubelskim, jak również w piaskowcach kredowych i paleogeńskich w głębiej pogrążonych partiach orogenu Karpat zewnętrznych. Utwory dolnego karbonu w strefie wielkopolskiej lokalnie spełniają warunki dla współwystępowania w profilu kompleksów drobnoklastycznych zawierających gaz w łupkach oraz kompleksów piaskowcowych zawierających gaz zamknięty.The main target for shale gas exploration in Poland is the Upper Ordovician to Silurian black graptolitic shale at the East European Craton (Baltic Basin, Lublin-Podlasie Basin; Eastern and Northern Poland). Existence of such petroleum system is in this case confirmed by presence of gas shows. Locally criteria for shale gas exploration are meet by shales within the Lower Carboniferous section in Wielkopolska zone (region of Fore-Sudetic Monocline; Western and SW Poland). Unconventional accumulation of biogenic gas might exist within shales and mudstones of the Outer Carpathian Miocene Foredeep (SE Poland). The high potential for tight gas exploration is suggested for the Rotliegend eolian and fluvial sandstones, mainly in the region of NE Fore-Sudetic Monocline. Accumulations of tight gas might exist also in the Cambrian sandstones of the East European Craton, the Middle to Upper Devonian carbonates of the Lublin Basin, and also in the Cretaceous to Paleogene sandstones in the deep parts of the Outer Carpathian thrust belt (SE Poland). The Lower Carboniferous in Wielkopolska zone, composed of deep marine shales, mudstone and sandstone, might contain both shale and tight gas

Evolution of the Rotliegend Basin of northwestern Poland

The Rotliegend Basin of northwestern Poland is characterized by a complex structure that reflects syndepositional reactivation of fault systems related to the Teisseyre-Tornquist (TTZ) and Sorgenfrei-Tornquist (STZ) zones. This basin is superimposed on the Caledonian Trans-European Suture Zone and encroaches eastward onto the East European Craton and southwestward onto the Variscan Externides. Latest Carboniferous and Early Permian sinistral wrench movements along the TTZ and STZ, causing disruption and erosional truncation of the Variscan foreland basin and the external Variscan fold-and-thrust belt, were accompanied by the extrusion of voluminous volcanics. During the deposition of the Upper Rotliegend sediments, earlier formed fault systems were recurrently reactivated, controlling the subsidence of an array of troughs and uplift of horst blocks. During deposition of the upper parts of the Upper Rotliegend, when tectonic activity had abated, subsidence and broadening of the Polish Basin was controlled by thermal relaxation of the lithosphere. Analysis of wireline logs, calibrated by cores, and their regional correlations permits to distinguish nine successive Upper Rotliegend depositional cycles. These involve alluvial fan, fluvial, lacustrine, playa-lake and aeolian deposits and are separated by conspicuous lithofacies and/or erosional boundaries. Lithofacies maps developed for each of these depositional cycles allowed to retrace the palaeogeographic evolution of the Polish Rotliegend Basin, with supporting cross-sections providing insight into its structural development. Palaeoclimatic factors, such as rapid humidity changes, combined with tectonic activity, played an important role in the development of the different depositional cycles and their boundaries. Tectonics controlled the development of accommodation space and the lack thereof, as well as uplift and erosion of clastic source areas. The Polish and North German Rotliegend basins were separated during the deposition of the Drawa (Parchim and Mirow) and the earlier part of the Noteć (Rambow and Eldna) formations by the vast area of palaeohigh. Subsequently this high was overstepped by sediments of the upper part of the Noteć (Peckensen and Mellin) Formation, resulting in the coalescence of these basins. A tentative correlation of depositional cycles evident in the Polish and North German Rotliegend basins is presented

High gas reservoirs in Poland

Najważniejszą formacją zbiornikową w Polsce, mającą potencjał do występowania złóż gaz ziemnego zamkniętego, są eoliczne piaskowce czerwonego spągowca w północnej części monokliny przedsudeckiej oraz na obszarach przylegających do niej od północy i wschodu. Piaskowce karbonu dolnego również mogą zawierać nagromadzenia gazu ziemnego zamkniętego, głównie w południowej i południowo-zachodniej części strefy wielkopolsko-dolnośląskiej. Pośrednie przesłanki pozwalają stwierdzić, że w obrębie utworów karbonu górnego w centralnej, zachodniej i południowo-zachodniej części basenu górnośląskiego mógł się wykształcić system węglowodorowy z gazem ziemnym centralnych stref basenu. Potencjał występowania złóż gazu ziemnego zamkniętego w pozostałych analizowanych formacjach określono jako niski.The main tight gas reservoir formation in Poland is the Rotliegend eolian sandstone in the northern part of the Fore-Sudetic Homocline and adjacent areas located further north and east. The Lower Carboniferous sandstone might also contain tight gas accumulation, mainly in the southern and south-western part of the Wielkopolska—Lower Silesian zone. Indirect constrains allows to suggest that Basin Centered Gas System might have developed in the Upper Carboniferous complex of the central, western and south-western part of the Upper Silesian Basin. The other analyzed formations have low potential for development of tight gas accumulations