Fault Dimensions and Displacements in Mining Area: Northern Part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin

Fault network of northern part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (the USCB) was mapped with regards to structures having more than 1 m of vertical throw that were surveyed in mine driving roadways and worked panels of coal. The map was digitized on SUN workstation using ZYCOR software. Parameters of size and geometry catalogued while digitizing for each item considered were, as follows: 1) local Cartesian coordinates of the fault terminations (Sucha Góra grid), 2) attachment to a proper azimuthal set defined by vectorial analysis, 3) order (rank) of the structure interpreted by means of structural analysis, 4) maximum throw, 5) angle of dip of the fault surface. Original programs were created for data selection. They enabled sampling populations with optionally established limits of separate fault features listed above. One can figure out and depict on graphs relationships between the parameters employing programs made for analysis of these particular data sets. Relationship between width of a fault and its maximum throw is ruled by power function with exponent between 1.5 and 2.0. The result is nearest to those presented in the last papers by the team of the Fault Analysis Group from the University of Liverpool (Gillespie et al., 1992). Distribution of dimension in the fault population is illustrated on log-log graphs by curve which may be estimated by a straight line whose slope is equal -2.3 roughly. Obtained results are comparable with those concerning another regions and/or groups of faults from variety of geological environments provided by other scientists. Their position in combined dataset is useful for adjusting existing models and interpretations, especially they help with stating more precisely formulae that express scaling laws governing the relationships studied. The displacement/dimension relationship determined precisely implies more accurate description of fault growth over geological time. Furthermore, this relationship gives a possibility to calculate total brittle strain for this deformed rock-complex. Therefore the study on faults displacement and dimension, as well as essential follow-ups are of such importance for the USCB area

Wpływ nieciągłości podłoża karbonu na sejsmotektonikę północnej części Górnośląskiego Zagłębia Węglowego

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (in the paper called the GZIV) is situated in southern Poland, next to Polish-Czech state border (see fig. 1). The Upper Carboniferous hard coals have extensively been mined there for last centuries. The GZW is the region where great seismic activity is observed. The seismicity is assumed to be induced by mining operations. Most of the seismic events occur in the northern part of the GZW which was selected to present study. The paper is an effort to deal with a problem of interrelation between tremors triggered by mining and natural seismicity in a rock mass. The main point is that some of seismic events occur independently of works related to coal extraction. The study tends towards discovering causes of this group of tremors. The hypothesis is tested that the occurrence of these tremors is influenced by geological structure. Investigations of the mine tremors focal mechanisms are accompanied by conventional structural analysis and modem techniques of structural geology just introduced into research work on the GZW. Study of geometrical attributes of fold arrays enables determining dynamics of principal tectonic structures in the area; shear strain values and minimum displacements are calculated for the main discontinuities. Evidences of interlayer slip, widely represented within the sedimentary sequence, demonstrate spatial orientation of tectonic-transport direction consistent with kinematics and dynamics of primary structures recognised by means of conventional structural analysis of folds and faults. Structural and fractal methods applied enable to find out symptoms of the basement dislocations control on the deformation of the cover basin. Seismic moment tensor and regional tensor estimated on the basis of classic fault plane solution as well as strain ellipsoid and structural pattern obtained as a result of tectonic study have many features in common. The similarity is visible specially in case of the largest tremors and the largest faults. Investigation of the fault spatial distribution together with analysis of the fault size parameters reveal features that let regard the Upper Carboniferous rock mass as a nonliear system and point to fractal geometry of the fault network in the northern part of the GZW. Location and orientation of active fundamental faults deduced from the focal mechanism solutions as well as structural and fractal analyses are determined in proposed seismotectonic model of the area. It is suggested that the primary faulting in the basement produces displacements on elements of the fault network in the Upper Carboniferous sedimentary complex. These displacements beside mining operations are regarded as a source of large tremors generation. Subequatorial fracture zone is recognised as a second order boundary zone separating two segments of the GZW basement: the Bytom block and the centralny block. Two marginal dislocations of this zone are identified as main seismogenic structures: the southern (see figs. 5,16 and 21 - discontinuity B, also fig. 28 - in the part I) and northern one (see fig. 21 - discontinuity b, also fig. 28 - in the part III). Both of them are marked by linear gravimetric anomalies (see fig. 21). Moreover, the seismogenic faults frame an area of anomaly of geothermal field (K a r w a s i e c k a, 1996a, 1996b). Results point to long-continued seismogenic activity of the latitudinal deep-seated faults in the northern part of the GZW. Frequent reactivation of these faults is subsequent to position that the intra- 104 p|ate border fracture (B-b) has kept in successive global structural patterns: within the Caledonian Transeuropean suture zone (see fig. 6), on the foreland of approaching orogenic front in the Variscan time (see fig. 7) and in front of the Carpathian arc since the Tertiary (see fig. 33). This position has favoured oblique rifting and faulting. The intra-plate border zone is thought to be at present a complex deep-seated left-lateral wrench belt. It is not unlikely that the considered seismogenic structure forms a segment ofthe „Fifty-north Fracture Zone” (see fig. 8) postulated by J. Kutina (1974). Seismotectonic framework of the northern part of the GZW may be conditioned by orientation of the „Fifty-north Fracture Zone” in relation to present-day compression vector in the Carpathians. Seismogenic potentials are also attributed to deep-seated fundamental fault which makes the northeastern border of the Bytom block (see figs. 5,16 and 21 - discontinuity A, also fig. 28 - in the part IV). As against the active latitudinal zone, the NW-SE trending dislocation A is of lesser importance for recent seismotectonics of northern part of the basin. The fracture A, however, as positioned in the peripheral part of broad border zone of the GZIEbasement (see fig. 5 - belt between A and II-II), where maximum concentration and intensity of movement occurred in the Palaeozoic (cf. figs. 6, 7 and 31) and the Mesozoic (see fig. 32) tectogenetic phases, was probably much more important for generation of seismic events in the past

Tracing potential soil contamination in the historical Solvay soda ash plant area, Jaworzno, Southern Poland

This study of soil conditions was carried out on 30 meadow soil (podzol) samples from the vicinity of the soda ash heap in Jaworzno, supplemented by analyses of 18 samples of waste deposited on the heap. In all samples, the total content of macroelements (Ca and Na) and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) as well as pH were analysed. The element concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The materials examined were neutral to ultra-alkaline. Total accumulations (mg kg−1) of chemical elements in the soil vary from 130.24 to 14076.67 for Ca, 41.40–926.23 for Na, 0.03–3.34 for Cd, 0.94–103.62 for Cr, 0.94–35.89 for Ni, 3.51–76.47 for Pb and 12.05–279.13 for Zn, whereas quantities of the same elements in the waste samples vary from 171705.13 to 360487.94 for Ca, 517.64–3152.82 for Na, 0.2–9.89 for Cd, 1.16–20.40 for Cr, 1.08–9.79 for Ni, 0.1–146.05 for Pb and 10.26–552.35 for Zn. The vertical distribution of the metals was determined in each soil profile. Despite enrichment of heavy metals in the uppermost horizon on the top of the heap, the results lead to the conclusion that the relation of historical production of soda ash in Jaworzno to current contamination of the local soil environment is insignificant

Przestrzenna zmienność warunków deformacji górotworu w rejonie siodła głównego wyznaczona na podstawie badań geometrii uskoków

Geometria uskoku zmienia się w miarę jego wzrostu. Sukcesywne przyrosty zrzutu i długości w ciągu okresu aktywności uskoku realizują się za pośrednictwem kolejnych aktów poślizgu na powierzchni uskokowej, występujących w czasie pojedynczych wydarzeń sejsmicznych. W przypadku uskoku idealnego średnia wielkość poślizgu w czasie pojedynczego wstrząsu jest wprost proporcjonalna do wielkości powierzchni, na której poślizg nastąpił (TEPER, 1998). Odstępstwa od takiej zależności, obserwowane w przypadkach empirycznych, należy wiązać z zachowaniami podatnymi górotworu niszczonego przez uskok. Rzetelna analiza geometrii powierzchni uskokowej powinna zatem umożliwić poznanie sposobu wzrostu uskoku w ośrodku skalnym oraz zachowań samego ośrodka skalnego w czasie deformacji

Tectonophysical approach to the description of mining induced seismicity in the Upper Silesia

Seismicity occurring in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (the USCB) Is induced by deep underground coal mining and is relatively well recorded and recognized. The majority of tremors occurring there, is closely related to mining so only mining induced stresses were considered to be the cause of the tremors. The frequency energy distribution of mine tremors in the USCB has indicated the evident bimodal features: the lower energy mode, closely related to mining and the largest energy indicating the relation to the geological structures of the USCB. Therefore the research has been undertaken to explain if there is any tectonic influence on mine tremors occurrence and to formulate a seismotectonic model of state of deformation and stresses in the rock mass of the USCB responsible together with mining activity for the mine tremors generation. The obtained results indicate that tectonics plays a significant role in the occurrence of at least some of the largest mining tremors in the USCB area and the tectonophysical analysis can explain some relations in their occurrence. On the basis of seismotectonic model constructed for the USCB area we can conclude that the parameters of strain ellipsoid as well as of the seismic moment tensor and regional stress tensor for some mine tremors are almost the same. Some parts of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (e.g. the zones of large latitudinal faults) are related to the large discontinuities in the deep crustal basement with active shear stresses. The equilibrium disturbance due to the reduction of vertical stress component caused by mining, erosion of the Carpathian overlap or the postglacial rebound may result in unstable behaviour in these zones and one can expect recent horizontal and vertical movements there. We also underline that the application of the optimum method of direct stress (strain) measurement it the rock mass for conditions of the USCB is necessary as well as that the modernization of seismological networks existing there is inevitable

Sejsmiczność a tektonika Górnośląskiego Zagłębia Węglowego

The book presents the results of the investigations on the regularities and causes of the occurrence of significant seismic phenomena in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The analysis of seismic activity was carried out in the areas where the registered energy of tremors was higher than I MJ. These include main anticline. Bytom syncline, Kazimierz syncline and main syncline. First chapters contain the description of the study development on the induced seismicity and the evolution of the ideas on the origin of strong seismic events in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and the causes of its development with special reference to the areas where significant tremors occur. The main part of the book contains the description of time-spatial and energetic distributions of seismic phenomena. Characteristic relations between strong events (eg. fractality of epicentre distribution, changes of seismic activity, serial features of seismic phenomena and directional relations between tremor foci) are shown. Also types of focal mechanisms observed for strong seismic phenomena in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin are described. In the terminal part of the book the relationship between seismic activity and tectonics is depicted on the basis of seismotectonic model which indicates the presence of an active deep-seated fault zone below the northern part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The book includes also rich bibliography concerning tectonics and seismic activity of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin

Zanieczyszczenie gleby metalami ciężkimi związane z historycznym hutnictwem cynku w Jaworznie

The initial study of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni and Mn) contamination was carried out on the 22 samples taken from 4 forest soil (podzol) profiles and 5 waste samples taken from 3 points of the historical zinc smelting area in Jaworzno, Southern Poland. XRD and pH analyses on the soil samples were done. The trace element concentrations were measured with the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after mineralisation in concentrated HNO3 (65 % Suprapur) and HCl (30 % Suprapur). Examined materials were ultra acidic to neutral, mostly very strong acidic. Total accumulations of trace elements in the soil varied from 21.91 to 119.32 mgCr, from 1.4 to 51.16 mgCu, from 2.15 to 36.16 mgNi and from 16.33 to 869.19 mgMn . kg–1. In waste samples quantities of the same elements equalled 45.55–67.38 mgCr, 19.5–244.74 mgCu, 4.96–22.15 mgNi and 30.75–369.11 mgMn . kg–1. Vertical distributions of examined metals were determined in each of soil profiles. The research revealed heavy metal pollution of studied soil. Influence of the historical smelter on the pollution is inferred, which changed soil environment to dangerous for humans, especially due to close proximity of abandoned industry to built-up and recreation areas as well as community gardens

Thallium and lead variations in a contaminated peatland : a combined isotopic study from a mining/smelting area

Vertical profiles of Tl, Pb and Zn concentrations and Tl and Pb isotopic ratios in a contaminated peatland/fen (Wolbrom, Poland) were studied to address questions regarding (i) potential long-term immobility of Tl in a peat profile, and (ii) a possible link in Tl isotopic signatures between a Tl source and a peat sample. Both prerequisites are required for using peatlands as archives of atmospheric Tl deposition and Tl isotopic ratios as a source proxy. We demonstrate that Tl is an immobile element in peat with a conservative pattern synonymous to that of Pb, and in contrast to Zn. However, the peat Tl record was more affected by geogenic source(s), as inferred from the calculated element enrichments. The finding further implies that Tl was largely absent from the pre-industrial emissions (>~250 years BP). The measured variations in Tl isotopic ratios in respective peat samples suggest a consistency with anthropogenic Tl (ε205Tl between ~ -3 and 4), as well as with background Tl isotopic values in the study area (ε205Tl between ~0 and 1), in line with detected 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.16–1.19). Therefore, we propose that peatlands can be used for monitoring trends in Tl deposition and that Tl isotopic ratios can serve to distinguish source origin(s). However, given that the studied fen has a particularly complicated geochemistry (attributed to significant environmental changes in its history), it seems that ombrotrophic peatland(s) could be better suited for this type of Tl research

Revealing the Distribution and Bioavailability of Zn, Pb, and Cd in Soil at an Abandoned Zn Processing Site: The Role of Spectrometry Techniques

The focus of this study is the potential geochemical hazard in the soil system affected by historical zinc processing in Jaworzno, southern Poland. Total Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations for soil samples determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry are reported. The modified three-step BCR sequential extraction procedure for analysis of the soil was successfully applied to obtain critical information on the heavy metal bioavailability and toxic impact on the natural environment. Exchangeable-, reducible-, oxidizable-, and residual fractions obtained using the sequential extraction procedure were separated and the heavy metal contents in each fraction were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The results of the partitioning study provide information on the mobility of heavy metals in the soil profiles. Most of the Zn in the topsoil is related to the exchangeable-, reducible- and organic/oxidizable phases. The Zn fractionation in the whole soil profiles looks slightly different, with depletion of exchangeable- and reducible phases and enrichment of residual- and organic fractions. The greatest amount of Pb is associated with the reducible fraction. Cadmium is mainly found in the exchangeable- and reducible fraction. The spectrometry techniques applied are helpful in metal-level assessment and useful for evaluating the fate of contaminants and their bioavailability in soil systems. They show that 40 years since Zn processing ceased, the total concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in the investigated soils are extremely high. Due to the high proportions of the metals in the easily soluble fraction, it is evident that the Jaworzno area has been strongly affected by the historical zinc industry and that the topsoil is heavily contaminated or even toxic