Grain size and mineralogical indicators of weathering in the Oberlaab loess-paleosol sequence, Upper Austria

Grain size analyses, bulk and clay mineralogical data were used to characterize weathering within the loess-paleosol-sequence of Oberlaab in Upper Austria. Soil horizons can be clearly identified by the calculation of weathering index Kd from granulometric parameters. The mineralogical composition of the bulk samples shows increasing weathering intensity from the top to the bottom. The weakest weathering stage 1 is not present in Oberlaab, because all samples are free of carbonate minerals. Weathering stage 2 can be found in the upper part of the profile, whereas stage 3 is mainly present in the lowermost horizons. The highest weathering stages 4 and 5 are not present in Oberlaab. The clay mineral distribution in the profile is dominated by the disappearance of primary chlorite in the upper part of the profile and the neoformation of vermiculites from illite by pedogenesis in the lower part. Two different types of mixed layer minerals were found in the pedocomplexes. An illite/chlorite mixed layer mineral occurs following the disappearance of chlorite and is present in the Eemian luvisol. The second mixed layer mineral consists of illite/vermiculite and is present in the whole profile. The weathering stages obtained from the clay mineral composition are slightly lower than that of bulk mineralogy, but reach as well stage 3 in the lower part of the profile.researc

BRONZE AGE POTTERY FROM TUROPOLJE AND PODRAVINA REGION – ARCHAEOMETRIC ANALYSIS

The paper presents results of the archaeometric analyses carried out on the Bronze Age pottery, found within the remains of settlements, located in the north-western part of Croatia (Turopolje and Podravina region). The main goal of this study is to determine the availability, types and characteristics of raw materials, as well as to reconstruct part of the technological process (preparation of raw material and firing technique) of pottery production. Potsherds are analysed using optical microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Detailed mineralogical analysis (XRPD) with emphasis on clay minerals was performed on samples of potential raw material using oriented films of separated clay fraction and different treatments. Comparison between the data obtained from the analyses of potential raw materials and those obtained from the analyses of the pottery suggests that local clay was used for pottery making in the Bronze Age. Results of the study showed that raw material was probably collected in the vicinity of the settlements and that the grog is the most commonly used temper in the analysed samples from both regions. According to the results of performed analyses, there is an indication of a difference in technological choices, i.e. different practice related to pottery firing techniques, be- tween two micro-regions

Tonminerale und Huminsäuren in Paläoböden auf Löss

Paläoböden sind Klimaarchive, die sowohl im Mineralbestand als auch in der organischen Substanz Informationen über die Umweltbedingungen zur Zeit der Pedogenese enthalten. In dieser Arbeit wurden Paläoböden aus Lössprofilen in Tschechien (Dolní Věstonice) und Niederösterreich (Krems, Niederabsdorf und Kollnbrunn) untersucht. Zum Vergleich wurden neben den Lössprofilen auch rezente Böden mit unterschiedlicher Nutzung (Wald, Acker, Obstgarten) analysiert. Der Gesamtmineralbestand und die Zusammensetzung der Tonfraktion wurden mittels Röntgendiffraktometrie bestimmt. Zusätzlich wurden Korngrößenverteilung, pH-Wert, Gehalte an Stickstoff, organischem Kohlenstoff und Karbonat, Kationenaustauschkapazität und Basensättigung ermittelt. Zur Charakterisierung der organischen Substanz wurden Simultane Thermoanalyse und Infrarot-Spektroskopie verwendet. Durch intensive Verwitterung des Lösses und Pedogenese in den Warmzeiten nehmen die Gehalte an primärem Chlorit, Glimmer und Karbonaten ab. In der Tonfraktion treten als Neubildungen neben mixed layer-Mineralen Vermikulite und sekundäre Chlorite auf, was auf saure pH-Werte zur Zeit der Bodenbildung hinweist. Die Thermoanalyse zeigte in den Paläoböden höhere Anteile von thermisch stabiler und refraktärer organischer Substanz als in den rezenten Böden. Von rezenten Böden und Paläoböden mit Humusgehalten von über 1,8 % wurden mit 1M NaOH Huminsäuren extrahiert und mit HPLC-SEC (size exclusion chromatography) und FT-IR Spektroskopie untersucht. Aus den Paläoböden konnten nur sehr geringe Mengen an Huminsäuren extrahiert werden. Die Infrarot-Spektroskopie zeigte, dass mineralische und organische Substanz in den Paläoböden nur unvollständig zu trennen sind, was auf das Vorhandensein sehr stabiler Ton-Humus-Komplexe hinweist.Clay minerals and organic matter in paleosoils are an important source of information on past climate and vegetation. The aim of this study was to examine paleosoils in Loess profiles from the Czech Republic (Dolní Věstonice) and Lower Austria (Krems, Niederabsdorf and Kollnbrunn). Loess and paleosoils were compared to recent soils from different land use types (farmland, orchard, forest). The bulk mineral content and the composition of the clay fraction were determined by X-Ray diffraction. Chemical analyses included pH-value, organic carbon, nitrogen and carbonate content, cation exchange capacity and base saturation. Grain size tests were made by a combination of wet sieving and sedimentation analysis. Methods used for the characterization of the organic matter were Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) and FT-IR Spectroscopy. Due to intense weathering of the Loess and pedogenesis in warm interglacial periods the amount of primary chlorite, mica and carbonates is reduced. Clay minerals formed under these conditions are mixed layer-minerals, vermiculites and secondary chlorites. The neoformation of these clay minerals indicates acidic soil conditions. The results of the thermoanalysis showed an increase of stable and refractory organic matter in paleosoils compared especially to the forest soil. From all samples with above 1,8 % organic matter, humic acids were extracted using 1M NaOH and analyzed by HPLC-SEC (size exclusion chromatography) and FT-IR Spectroscopy. The amount of humic acids extracted from the paleosoils was very low, which indicates humus is very tightly bound to the clay minerals.eingereicht von Karin WriessnigAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in engl. SpracheWien, Univ. für Bodenkultur, Diss., 2013OeBB(VLID)193060

Characterisation of clayey raw materials for Bronze Age ceramic manufacture in Turopolje (Croatia)

A Bronze Age ceramics and possible raw materials in the area of Turopolje in northwest Croatia have been studied. The main goal of this study is to determine the availability and types of raw materials, as well as to reconstruct the technological processes (preparation of raw material and firing technique) of pottery making at archaeological site Kurilovec-Belinščica (Virovitica cultural group dating from 15-12 century BC, i.e. the end of the Middle Bronze Age and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age). For this reason three clayey materials, outcropping in the vicinity of the archaeological site, were collected. Two sampling locations were found close to the settlement (both at a distance of about 600 m) and one is the clay pit, located about 4 km from the archaeological site, which is currently in exploitation for brick production. Detailed mineralogical analyses were performed for four samples of clay materials (XRD, STA ; grain size analysis), 16 samples of experimental ceramics made from these materials (XRD, OM), as well as 26 samples of ancient ceramic shards (XRD, OM, STA, IR). Comparison between the data obtained from the analyses of potential raw materials and those obtained from the analyses of the experimental and archaeological ceramics will be reported. Possible archaeological implications, such as the extent of environmental influence on technological processes (availability of raw materials) and socio-economic factors (matter of choice), will be discussed as well

Influence of Measurement Uncertainty in the Determination of Selected Rock Parameters—A Realistic Approach

To determine and compare the measurement uncertainty of different geological-geotechnical testing methods, numerous test locations were selected in a hard rock quarry. Measurements were carried out along two vertical measurement lines perpendicular to the mining levels of an existing exploration. Along these lines, the rock quality basically varies due to weathering (decreasing influence with increasing distance from the original ground surface), but also due to the influence of the geological-tectonic conditions on site. The mining conditions (blasting) are identical over the considered area. The rock quality was examined as follows: as field tests, the rock compressive strength was determined by means of point load test and rebound hammer, as laboratory method the Los Angeles test (standard laboratory test for the determination of the mechanical rock quality) was used to identify the impact abrasion resistance. The statistical evaluation and comparison of the results allowed conclusions to be drawn about the contribution of the individual test methods to the measurement uncertainty whereas, in practice, a priori information can be applied complementarily. It shows that the influence on the combined measurement uncertainty u of the different methods due to the geological variability in horizontal direction reaches values between 17 and 32%, whereby the rebound hammer method shows the highest values. However, the highest influences on the measurement uncertainties are a result of the vertical direction due to weathering phenomena with percentages of 55 to 70%. For the point load test, the vertical direction shows the highest significance with an influence of approximately 70%. This leads to the conclusion that a higher weathering degree of the rock mass shows an increasing effect on the measurement uncertainty which needs to be considered using a priori information in measurements

The role of soil mineral composition in defining Istrian terroir attributes

A strong debate arises nowadays concerning the concept of terroir, mainly referring to the relationship between soil properties and wine quality. In our ongoing study we investigate soils in three vineyards where Istrian Malvasia, the most widespread cultivar in Istria is grown. Our goal is to compare their mineral composition, physical and chemical properties and to explain how they could indirectly influence wine quality. We present here the first results of our study related to mineral investigation of soils. The studied vineyards are as follows: (1) Monte Coronichi characterised by soil developed on Cretaceous limestone ; (2) Sveta Lucija and (3) Grimalda, both characterised by soils developed on Eocene flysch. Terra rossa soil is situated on limestone while two different soils are developed on Eocene flysch, vertic cambisol at Sveta Lucija and eutric brown soil at Grimalda. While terra rossa has the same texture throughout profile (clay), the texture of the other two soils varies from silty clay to loam, creating conditions for better drainage. The mineral content of these soils differs significantly. Kaolinites, followed by illite, quartz and hematite dominate in terra rossa. Kaolinite which does not form intercalation compounds with dimethylsulfoxide is the dominant mineral in clay fraction which also contains illite, well crystallised kaolinite and mixed-layer clay minerals. The mean value of the Fed/ Fet ratio in terra rossa, which is taken as an index of weathering is 0.95 and reflects very high degree of weathering of Fe-containing primary silicates. Calcite, followed by quartz, mica and plagioclase dominate in vertic cambisol. Illite is main mineral phase in clay fraction which also contains mixed-layer clay minerals, kaolinites, smectite and vermiculite. The main mineral phases of Grimalda soil are calcite and quartz followed by plagioclase, K-feldspar and mica. Dominant phase in the clay fraction is illite while mixed-layer clay minerals, kaolinites, smectite and vermiculite are sporadically present. Clay mineral content of these soils is in line with cation exchange capacity indicating higher nutrient retention in soils developed on flysch. Data acquired in this investigation could be used for the appellation, i.e. a legally defined and protected geographical indication, of Istrian Malvasia

Smectite in ancient pottery from Hallstatt – a contradiction?

250 million years ago the area around Hallstatt was covered by a large ocean. Even at that time climate change was a fact: Due to global warming water evaporated and huge amounts of salt crystallized. 7000 years ago people discovered these salt deposits, settled in Hallstatt and started salt mining. Pottery was used in everyday life and also as grave goods. During the last 200 years archeologists excavated various ceramic products and many potsherds from Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman times. For this study about 30 different shards and samples from some clay pits in the surrounding of Hallstatt were selected and analyzed. Bulk and clay mineral composition of shards and potential raw materials were determined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA). Cation exchange capacity of all samples and grain size distribution and consistency limits of the raw materials were measured. Trace elements were analyzed by ICP-MS to obtain information about the provenance of the raw material for the pottery. Against expectation the trace element composition of the clay samples and the pottery did not match. This proves that the pottery was not produced in Hallstatt, but imported in exchange for the salt. The mineral content of pottery depends on raw material, possible additives and firing temperature. Clay minerals from the raw materials are transformed into new silicate minerals during the firing process. Especially smectites and vermiculites are very sensitive to temperatures above 550 °C. At this temperature an irreversible dehydroxilation occurs. Surprisingly considerable amounts of smectite were detected in some of the analyzed shards. It seems implausible that the firing temperature did not exceed 550 °C, because such pottery would not be durable and it is well known that the kilns allowed much higher temperatures. The most probable explanation is that during thousands of years of burial in the soil of Hallstatt smectite did recrystallize. The further investigation of pottery from different areas and different times produced under different conditions should help to understand this clay mineralogical contradiction

Archaeometry and comparative analysis of bronze age ceramics from Turopolje and Podravina

U radu su dani rezultati mineraloških i petrografskih analiza uzoraka brončanodobne keramike s područja Turopolja i Podravine, kao i uzoraka potencijalnih sirovina za izradu te keramike. Cilj rada bio je utvrditi potencijalnost sirovina iz okolice, te tehnologija izrade keramike, kao i komparativna analiza tehnologije s ta dva područja

Bronze Age pottery in NW Croatia – raw materials and technology

A Bronze Age pottery technology in the area of Turopolje and Podravina in northwest Croatia has been studied. The main goal of this study is to determine the availability and types of raw materials, as well as to reconstruct the technological processes (preparation of raw material and firing technique) of pottery making at archaeological sites: Kurilovec-Belinščica and Selnica in Turopolje and Podvratnec, Podgorica and Močvar in Podravina. These sites belong to the broader cultural horizon of the Urnfield culture (Virovitica cultural group dating from 15-12 century BC, (i.e. the end of the Middle Bronze Age and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age). For this reason samples of clayey materials, outcropping in the vicinity of the archaeological sites, were collected. Detailed mineralogical/petrographic, as well as chemical, analyses were performed on samples of potential raw material, samples of experimental ceramics made from these materials, as well as on samples of pottery fragments. Results of the study showed that raw materials were collected in the vicinity of the settlements and that the grog is the most commonly used temper in the analysed samples. The vessels were built by combining different techniques (coiling, slab building and pinching) and were fired under the reduction and incomplete oxidation atmosphere at great span of temperatures. Possible archaeological implications, such as the extent of environmental influence on technological processes (availability of raw materials) and socio economic factors (matter of choice), will be discussed as well

Brončanodobno lončarstvo u SZ Hrvatskoj – sirovine i tehnologija

A Bronze Age pottery technology in the area of Turopolje and Podravina in northwest Croatia has been studied. The main goal of this study is to determine the availability and types of raw materials, as well as to reconstruct the technological processes (preparation of raw material and firing technique) of pottery making at archaeological sites: Kurilovec-Belinščica and Selnica in Turopolje and Podvratnec, Podgorica and Močvar in Podravina. These sites belong to the broader cultural horizon of the Urnfield culture (Virovitica cultural group dating from 15-12 century BC, (i.e. the end of the Middle Bronze Age and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age). For this reason samples of clayey materials, outcropping in the vicinity of the archaeological sites, were collected. Detailed mineralogical/petrographic, as well as chemical, analyses were performed on samples of potential raw material, samples of experimental ceramics made from these materials, as well as on samples of pottery fragments. Results of the study showed that raw materials were collected in the vicinity of the settlements and that the grog is the most commonly used temper in the analysed samples. The vessels were built by combining different techniques (coiling, slab building and pinching) and were fired under the reduction and incomplete oxidation atmosphere at great span of temperatures. Possible archaeological implications, such as the extent of environmental influence on technological processes (availability of raw materials) and socio economic factors (matter of choice), will be discussed as well