Geodynamic evolution of low grade metasedimentary rocks on the Mt. Medvednica

Metasedimentne stijene Medvednice, koje se nalaze na prostoru Zagorje-Mid-Transdanubijske zone, zabilježile su nekoliko faza deformacija od kojih je najintenzivnija uzrokovala metamorfizam unutar facijesa zelenih škriljavaca. U radu su obrađene litostratigrafske jedinice Stari potok, Slani potok, Risnjak i Vila Rebar. Posebna pozornost je posvećena kloritoidnom škriljavcu iz jedinice Stari potok. Napravljene su petrografske i geokemijske analize (XRD, ICP-MS). Uvjeti metamorfizma određivani su pomoću geotermometara za klorit i parove klorit-kloritoid te geobarometara za muskovit (fengit). Konstruiran je dijagram pseudopresjeka za uzorak kloritoidnog škriljavca, izoplete udjela Mg u kloritu i kloritoidu te izoplete Si u muskovitu (fengit). Starost progradne faze metamorfizma izmjerena je na monacitima (EMP), pri čemu je dobivena starost srednje do gornje jure (153 ± 6,9 Ma). Mjerenje sadržaja izotopa U-Th-Pb napravljeno je na zajednici detritnih cirkona pomoću LA-ICP-MC-MS-a. Dobiveni starosni podaci cirkona dali su vrijednosti koje su grupirane u devet podgrupa, unutar šest starosnih grupa. Na temelju najmlađe starosne podgrupe cirkona procijenjena je maksimalna starost taloženja. Iz petrografskih analiza na uzorcima metasedimenata litostratigrafskih jedinica Stari potok, Risnjak, Vila Rebar i Slani potok, utvrđena je metamorfna mineralna asocijacija koju čine kvarc, bijeli tinjac, klorit, ± albit, ± biotit, ± kloritoid, ± turmalin, ± monacit, ± ksenotim, ± apatit. Sačuvani akcesorni detritarni minerali su cirkon i rutil. Mineralna asocijacija ukazuje na nizak stupanj metamorfizma unutar facijesa zelenih škriljavaca. Geokemijski podaci sugeriraju da su protoliti istraživanih metasedimentnih stijena uglavnom bili srednje do intenzivno trošeni zreli sedimenti, nastali taloženjem nakon trošenja stijena pretežito granitoidnog sastava, ugrađenih u vulkanski luk.Metasedimentary rocks from Mt. Medvednica, located in Zagorje-Mid-Transdanubian zone, had undergone multiphase deformation history. The most intense deformation phase is manifested by the most intense metamorphic phase, which reached greenschist metamorphic facies. This thesis investigated Stari potok, Slani potok, Risnjak and Vila Rebar lithostratigraphic units, with special attention given to the occurrence of chloritoid schist in Stari potok unit. Petrographic and geochemical analysis were conducted (XRD, ICP-MS). Metamorphic conditions were investigated with geothermometers for chlorite and pairs of chlorite-chloritoid, while geobarometric conditions were calculated on muscovite (phengite). Pseudosection diagram, isopleths of XMg in chlorite and chloritoid, as well as XSi in muscovite (phengite) were modeled using software package PerpleX. Late Jurassic (153 ± 6.9 Ma) metamorphic age was determined based on sinmetamorphic monazite grains analysis. Ratios of U/Th/Pb from detrital zircon grains were measured on LA-ICP-MC-MS, resulting in recognition of nine subgroups within six detrital zircon age groups. Youngest subgroup of detrital zircons gave insight into deposition time of the protolith sediment. Petrographic analysis of metasediment samples of litostratigraphic units Stari potok, Slani potok, Risnjak and Vila Rebar indicated metamorphic mineral association of quartz, white micas, chlorite, ± albite, ± biotite, ± chloritoide, ± turmaline, ± monazite, ± xenotime, ± apatite. Accessory mineral phases are zircons and rutile. Mineral association is typical for low greenschist metamorphic facies. Geochemical data indicate that protolith sediments were mature, middle to intensively weathered sediments, produced by deposition after weathering of mainly volcanic arc granitoid rocks

Speleološka i biospeleološka istraživanja kaptaže (vodocrpilišta) K 2 na otoku Braču

Kaptaža K 2 izgrađena je u svrhu poboljšanja vodoopskrbe stanovništva otoka Brača. Tijekom izgradnje otkrivene su 4 pukotinske kaverne s vodom. Najveća od njih se nalazi u sjeverozapadnom dijelu gornje horizontalne etaže. Istražena je do dubine od 26 m. Na dnu postoji mogućnost daljnjeg napredovanja. Prolaz je dimenzija 1 x 0,5 m s dosta sedimenta na dnu. Donja etaža u vrijeme svih istraživanja bila je u cijelosti potopljena. U kaptaži K 2 ostvarena su izuzetna otkrića stigibiontne faune koja inače obitava u slatkovodnim podzemnim staništima na kopnu, ali i u izoliranim staništima na otoku Braču. Prvenstveno je posebno značajan nalaz nove svojte za znanost, rakušca Niphargus doli, koja je ovdje prvi puta zabilježena za neki otok, te goleme jadaranske vodenbabure Sphaeromides virei mediodalmatina, a jedino je poznato otočko nalazište dinarskog špiljskog cjevaša, Marifugia cavatica. Postignuta otkrića osnova su za posebnu pažnju i zasluženu stručnu zaštitu samoga staništa, a time i podzemne faune koja obitava u kaptaži K 2

Petrochronological study of chloritoid schist from Medvednica Mountain (Zagorje Mid-Transdanubian zone, Croatia)

The metamorphic conditions and evolution of the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic metamorphic complex of Medvednica Mountain (Zagorje-Mid-Transdanubian zone, Croatia) are still a matter of debate. The results of the investigation of five samples of metapelitic schists with the mineral association of quartz, white mica and chlorite are presented. The studied schists are part of the continental margin of Adria and were metamorphosed under upper greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions. The focus of this study is a sample representing the highest metamorphic grade that additionally contains chloritoid blasts. Pressure-temperature pseudosection modelling together with classical geothermobarometric calculations yielded peak metamorphic conditions of 0.94 ± 0.05 GPa and 550 ± 20 °C for chloritoid schist. Monazite in-situ U-Th-total Pb electron microprobe dating indicates two metamorphic events at 167 ± 2 Ma and 143 ± 2 Ma, which are interpreted as the time of monazite growth during two distinct metamorphic phases. The formation of the chloritoid paragenesis is related to the older event (around 167 Ma) and linked with the Middle Jurassic subduction-accretion processes of Neotethys-derived ophiolitic lithologies. The younger metamorphic event (around 143 Ma) is related to the obduction of ophiolites onto the continental margin of Adria

The Cenomanian–Turonian Boundary in the Northwestern Part of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (Ćićarija Mtn., Istria, Croatia): Characteristics and Implications

The Cenomanian–Turonian boundary (CTB) in the Ćićarija Mountain region (northern Istria, Croatia) is characterized by calcisphere limestone successions with a firmground and glauconite horizon, bioturbated intervals, tempestites, and slumped structures as well as microbially laminated and organic-rich interbeds deposited in the northwestern part of the intra-Tethyan Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP). Compilation of the results from three studied sections (Vodice–Jelovica, Martinjak and Planik) of litho-, bio-, and microfacies analyses, X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDS, and stable isotope analyses allowed reconstruction of marine paleoenvironmental conditions during this time period. Shallow-marine carbonate deposits of the Milna Formation underlie a drowned-platform succession of the Sveti (Sv.) Duh Formation. The contact between these two formations is sharp and commonly marked by slumped deposits. The Sv. Duh Formation consists of about 100 m of calcisphere wackestone enriched in organic matter. The results of preliminary δ13C and δ18O stable isotope analyses indicate the influence of the global Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2) on the deposition of this carbonate succession. Anoxic and hypoxic conditions in the water column lead to major changes in the shallow-marine carbonate system of the AdCP. Numerous benthic foraminifera declined during that time, but planktonic foraminifera and calcareous dinoflagellates diversified and expanded greatly. The results of this research provide new insights into the character of the CTB interval in this part of the Tethyan realm. Local and regional synsedimentary tectonics combined with global upper Cretaceous sea-level dynamics allows the correlation of the investigated deeper-marine lithostratigraphic units with OAE2

A time-space window between Eocene karst bauxite genesis and the first molasse deposition in the Dinaric Foreland Basin in the North Dalmatia, Croatia

Karst bauxite deposits in the North Dalmatian piggyback basin (NDPGB) are a part of the Mediterranean bauxite belt, which is the largest European bauxite deposit zone; however, there is a general lack of information regarding the genesis, age, and precursor of the bauxite deposits in this region. In this study, we combined detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology with compositional, mineralogical, and morphological data from four bauxite locations in the NDPGB to provide a new palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental evolution model for the Lutetian–Rupelian timeframe of the NDPGB. The Eocene climatic conditions began with the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum event (∼56 Ma), followed by the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (∼49 Ma) and Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (∼40 Ma), and were completed as a cooling trend culminating around the Eocene/Oligocene boundary (∼34 Ma), with a shift towards an icehouse climate. These events were coeval with the continuous drift of the African continent towards Eurasia and the subsequent closure of the western part of the former Neo-Tethys Ocean associated with massive volcanic activity. Based on the bauxite deposits of the NDPGB, Early Eocene limestones formed in the last phase of the long-lasting Adriatic Carbonate Platform. The Middle Eocene orogenic activity resulted in an elevation in this area. High average temperatures, accelerated hydrological cycles and precipitation, and intensive continental weathering with increased volcanic carbon input resulted in favourable conditions for the development of karst bauxites at this time. Further Upper Eocene tectonic deformation of the NDPGB area resulted in the development of bauxite traps and enabled redeposition of the initial bauxite material. Subsequently, the bauxite deposits were covered with clastic carbonate molasse derived from the intensive erosion of the young Dinaric orogeny. The implications of this study are as follows. First, it provides new information on the timing of bauxitisation in the area by providing the first radiometric zircon geochronology, which refined and restricted the time window for bauxite formation in this region. Additionally, our results provide a new perspective on the possibility of aeolian precursors in karst bauxite formation and provide new constraints on the first tectonic marks of the initial Dinaric orogeny

A time-space window between Eocene karst bauxite genesis and the first molasse deposition in the Dinaric Foreland Basin in the North Dalmatia, Croatia

Karst bauxite deposits in the North Dalmatian piggyback basin (NDPGB) are a part of the Mediterranean bauxite belt, which is the largest European bauxite deposit zone; however, there is a general lack of information regarding the genesis, age, and precursor of the bauxite deposits in this region. In this study, we combined detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology with compositional, mineralogical, and morphological data from four bauxite locations in the NDPGB to provide a new palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental evolution model for the Lutetian–Rupelian timeframe of the NDPGB. The Eocene climatic conditions began with the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum event (∼56 Ma), followed by the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (∼49 Ma) and Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (∼40 Ma), and were completed as a cooling trend culminating around the Eocene/Oligocene boundary (∼34 Ma), with a shift towards an icehouse climate. These events were coeval with the continuous drift of the African continent towards Eurasia and the subsequent closure of the western part of the former Neo-Tethys Ocean associated with massive volcanic activity. Based on the bauxite deposits of the NDPGB, Early Eocene limestones formed in the last phase of the long-lasting Adriatic Carbonate Platform. The Middle Eocene orogenic activity resulted in an elevation in this area. High average temperatures, accelerated hydrological cycles and precipitation, and intensive continental weathering with increased volcanic carbon input resulted in favourable conditions for the development of karst bauxites at this time. Further Upper Eocene tectonic deformation of the NDPGB area resulted in the development of bauxite traps and enabled redeposition of the initial bauxite material. Subsequently, the bauxite deposits were covered with clastic carbonate molasse derived from the intensive erosion of the young Dinaric orogeny. The implications of this study are as follows. First, it provides new information on the timing of bauxitisation in the area by providing the first radiometric zircon geochronology, which refined and restricted the time window for bauxite formation in this region. Additionally, our results provide a new perspective on the possibility of aeolian precursors in karst bauxite formation and provide new constraints on the first tectonic marks of the initial Dinaric orogeny