The study examines sedimentology, stratigraphy, and the impact of wildfires on aeolian and soil p... more The study examines sedimentology, stratigraphy, and the impact of wildfires on aeolian and soil processes during the Late Glacial Termination in the Korzeniew site, central Poland. The site, within a parabolic dune's central and lee-slope area, presents stacked aeolian sand units intermixed with six charcoal-enriched palaeosols. Thirteen optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates on quartz and six radiocarbon dates establish the chronological framework, dating deposition processes. Initial aeolian sand deposition occurred towards the Late Pleniglacial's end. Climate amelioration during the Bølling interstadial led to permafrost thaw and gleyic soil formation, later overlain by migrating parabolic dunes from the older Allerød interstadial. Wildfires, influenced by vegetation cover, deposited charcoals on the dune's lee slope. These charcoals underwent pedogenic reworking amid episodes of aeolian sand deposition during the Allerød interstadial and Younger Dryas, stabilizing in the earliest Holocene. Wildfires significantly impacted local vegetation development and aeolian activity. Despite the warmth of the Allerød interstadial, increased fires correlated with expanding pine forests and their heightened fire susceptibility. Short-term climate shifts likely destabilized vegetation, fostering fire occurrences during the Allerød interstadial.
Loess paleoenvironmental reconstructions on regional to supra-regional scales have recently gaine... more Loess paleoenvironmental reconstructions on regional to supra-regional scales have recently gained much attention. Geochemistry comparisons in relation to reference datasets, such as the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) data, have furthered our understanding of the climatic and geomorphological conditions under which terrestrial sites have developed. However, UCC data differs from loess, thereby obscuring important features, and the existing "average loess" datasets also are not sufficient for modern investigations. In this study, we examine the youngest Polish loess (L1LL1 = MIS 2, ca. 26-15 ka) for its suitability as a new, loess-focused reference dataset. Eighty-nine samples from seven sites were analyzed, using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. The loess had assumedly been homogenized during transportation and/or sedimentary recycling (La N /Sm N = 3.34-4.06, median 3.78; Eu/Eu* = 0.46-0.66, median 0.55; Gd N /Yb N = 1.08-1.49, median 1.26), and weakly affected by pre-or post-depositional weathering (CIA = 53.64-69.12, median 57.69). The statistically significant differences between sites in elemental medians were mostly conditioned by variations in grain size and in the "fresh" to "re-deposited" sediment ratio. Nonetheless, the overall geochemical composition homogeneity provided a basis for the estimation of Polish Median Loess (PML) data, as determined for 41 chemical elements. When used, PML data highlight differences between loess regions in Europe, thereby providing a tool for cross-continental comparisons.
<p>The influence of periglacial conditions on the development of aeolian bedforms i... more <p>The influence of periglacial conditions on the development of aeolian bedforms is not well understood. Observations of active dune fields in polar regions show that they can develop as either consistent dune fields, similar to what is known from hot regions, or as isolated sand patches controlled by the ground-water table. However, modern periglacial dune fields are rare, hampering the investigation of the factors that control dune-field evolution in cold regions.</p><p>The aim of this project is to define factors controlling the spatial pattern of periglacial dune fields in the central part of the European Sand Belt. Methods will include high-resolution morphometry and GIS analyses, combined with ground-penetrating radar, granulometry, and quartz-grain morphoscopy in an integrated approach. Pleistocene dune fields located in Poland will serve as key areas for similar dune systems elsewhere. Results will be supported by detailed studies of individual dunes. The project will try to answer the questions about 1) the impact of periglacial conditions (seasonal variability in sand supply, patches of permafrost, high surface wetness) and morphological framework (topography, surface inclination, occurrence of morphological barriers) on the development of dunes and dune fields; 2) spatial differentiation of aeolian processes within European Sand Belt.</p><p>The scientific hypothesis to test is that<strong> </strong>dune fields in periglacial regions are controlled by high variability of local depositional conditions, which result in the coexistence of various dune types and weak spatial organization of dune fields.</p><p>Results will allow us to develop a model of periglacial dune field evolution. Data will not only shed new light on periglacial aeolian morphology, but will be also valuable for the analyses of climatic conditions at the end of the last glacial.</p><p>The project is funded by Polish National Science Centre, contract number 2021/41/N/ST10/00350.</p>
Abstract Thin loess deposits are widespread soil parent materials and important archives for pale... more Abstract Thin loess deposits are widespread soil parent materials and important archives for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The origin of loess in SW Poland is attributed to the Great Odra Valley (GOV), following the general concept that large rivers play a major role in regional silt supply. Yet, the precise provenance (glacier sources and/or local rocks) of silts, possibly deflated from dry GOV braided riverbeds, is not clear. Our study of thin and thick loess mantles in SW Poland for the first time indicates the provenance of thin loess based on mineralogical (MLA-SEM) and isotopic analyses (143Nd/144Nd, 87Sr/86Sr). Luminescence ages of five localities point to thin loess mantle formation during and shortly (23.0 to 17.7 ka yr) after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Our isotopic data indicate that thin loess deposits in SW Poland are the mixtures of two main components – local Sudetic and Scandinavian, the latter delivered by the Fennoscandian ice sheet (FIS). Also, detailed analyses of heavy minerals show that a single mineral (e.g., hornblende) may come from both Sudetic and Scandinavian sources. This research highlights the role of the (Pleistocene) GOV in collecting and homogenizing materials, while supplying the region with fine particles to be deflated by paleowinds from open surfaces. Anomalies in mineralogy and isotopic composition are connected with influence of Sudetic mountain rivers and locally blowing silt material by katabatic winds. Regional grain size differentiation of thin loess mantles explains transport distance and altitude.
ABSTRACTThis paper presents 66 radiocarbon (14C) dates obtained at 33 key sites from the Polish p... more ABSTRACTThis paper presents 66 radiocarbon (14C) dates obtained at 33 key sites from the Polish part of the European Sand Belt. These calibrated dating results were compared to 34 high-resolution 14C dates obtained from a fluvial-aeolian sediments to identify pedogenic phases from the late Pleniglacial interval to the early Holocene. These identified pedogenic phases were correlated with Greenland ice-core records, revealing high sensitivity of the fluvio-aeolian paleoenvironment to climate changes. Two pedogenic phases were identified from the late Pleniglacial interval (Greenland Stadial GS-2.1b and GS-2.1a), three from the Bølling-Allerød interstadial (Greenland Stadial GI-1), one from the late Allerød–Younger Dryas boundary, and at least one from the Younger Dryas. The ages of these pedogenic phases reveal a distinct delay of 50–100 calendar years after the onset of cool climate conditions during GI-1, reflecting gradual withdrawal of vegetation. Soil horizons from the early Hol...
Правительство Ямало-Ненецкого автономного округа eBooks, 2021
The northern European loess belt (NELB) was created in cold climate conditions on the foreground ... more The northern European loess belt (NELB) was created in cold climate conditions on the foreground of Pleistocene continental glaciations. Loess-paleosol sequences (LPS) in this region were strongly influenced by periglacial processes and environments. Three types of periglacial structures are especially useful to reconstruct the former periglacial environment: cryogenic wedges with primary mineral infilling, cryoturbation and gelifluction structures, and ice-wedge pseudomorphs. These structures often form well-distinguishable marker horizons within LPS. We assume that at least some of these horizons were formed as a result of sudden, short-term cooling followed by equally sudden warming of the climate, when ice wedges and permafrost were decay. Periglacial records in the LPS confirm the general instability of the last glacial climate. The main periglacial stages correlate well with cold events of the marine record. However, their correlation with Greenland ice cores requires further research using modern methods and techniques.
Aeolian dunes have been widely identified in the European Sand Belt, which was formed during the ... more Aeolian dunes have been widely identified in the European Sand Belt, which was formed during the Pleniglacial and Late Glacial when cold and dry climatic conditions were favorable for intense Aeolian processes. In this study, we mapped and analyzed the fixed Bory Stobrawskie Dune Field (SW Poland) to determine factors that drive the evolution of dunes, expressed by the occurrence of different dune types and their spatial patterns. The study identified the longitudinal zonation within the dune field, as shown by the changeable proportion of specific dune types comparable to low-latitude dune fields. However, climatically controlled periodic and low sand supply combined with a changing vegetation cover caused the non-continuous and multi-phase evolution of the dune field. Additionally, we found that a dense pattern of streams has controlled the extent of the dune field. The trapping of sand by rivers led to a limitation of the dune field expansion; on the other hand, the supply of san...
Rivers are essential for loess deposit formation. River systems which relate directly to loess de... more Rivers are essential for loess deposit formation. River systems which relate directly to loess deposit formation include the Danube and the Rhine; the Mississippi and the Missouri; the Thames and the Medway; the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra; the Dnepr, Don and Volga; the Clutha, Mataura and Rakaia-New Zealand rivers; the Yellow River; rivers in South America; Siberian rivers (flowing north); the Odra and the Wisla (between the mountains and the ice); the Syr-Darya and Amu-Darya (into the desert).
Collection of conference abstracts presented at the vDEUQUA2021 (2021-09-30 to 2021-09-01), the v... more Collection of conference abstracts presented at the vDEUQUA2021 (2021-09-30 to 2021-09-01), the virtual meeting of the German Quaternary Association (DEUQUA).
<p>The age of aeolian deposits and duration of conditions favorable for aeolian pro... more <p>The age of aeolian deposits and duration of conditions favorable for aeolian processes within the European Sand Belt (ESB) are still debated. Nowadays combined <sup>14</sup>C and OSL data are proper tools to establish the chronology of ESB dunes. However, both methods have significant limitations. They can be used only in existing outcrops limiting spatial coverage of results and making them not reliable for whole dune fields. The second issue is that the oldest dune sediments can be already reworked during dune migration. Finally, the measurement error of OSL data is too high to determine the constructional time of dune fields. To overcome these limitations, we used LiDAR data to examine the pattern properties of 31 dune fields located within the central part of ESB. Dune field pattern is recognized as a self-organizing system, where pattern evolution is a function of constructional time. This is reflected by increasing dune spacing and crest length, a decrease in defect density, and an overall reduction in the statistical variance of these parameters as the pattern matures. Curves describing the relationship between these parameters and constructional time were already established.</p><p>Results of the pattern analyses show that studied dune fields represent a wide range of spatial patterns, from irregular parabolic dune fields through a variety of transitional types to well-developed and regular patterns of large transverse dunes. The study confirms that periglacial dune fields undergo the same self-organization of pattern as dune fields located in hot and temperate areas. Regardless of the specific periglacial conditions, the temporal relationship between crest length, spacing, and defect density is preserved. Calculated constructional time for dune fields ranges between 1.2-4.2 ka for defect density, 0.3-5.9 ka for crest length, and 2.2-6.8 ka for spacing, indicating high spatial and temporal variability in the development of dune fields and a lack of zonation regarding to ice-sheet retreat. The coexistence of a few dune fields characterized by different degrees of pattern maturity in close vicinity suggests that the evolution of these dune fields was individual for each site and driven mainly by local events leading to the release of sand, such as subsequent incision of rivers, lowering of groundwater table, forest fires or human-induced deforestation. </p><p>Presented results were obtained with the support of Polish National Science Centre, contracts number 2018/30/E/ST10/00616 and 2021/41/N/ST10/00350.</p>
The study examines sedimentology, stratigraphy, and the impact of wildfires on aeolian and soil p... more The study examines sedimentology, stratigraphy, and the impact of wildfires on aeolian and soil processes during the Late Glacial Termination in the Korzeniew site, central Poland. The site, within a parabolic dune's central and lee-slope area, presents stacked aeolian sand units intermixed with six charcoal-enriched palaeosols. Thirteen optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates on quartz and six radiocarbon dates establish the chronological framework, dating deposition processes. Initial aeolian sand deposition occurred towards the Late Pleniglacial's end. Climate amelioration during the Bølling interstadial led to permafrost thaw and gleyic soil formation, later overlain by migrating parabolic dunes from the older Allerød interstadial. Wildfires, influenced by vegetation cover, deposited charcoals on the dune's lee slope. These charcoals underwent pedogenic reworking amid episodes of aeolian sand deposition during the Allerød interstadial and Younger Dryas, stabilizing in the earliest Holocene. Wildfires significantly impacted local vegetation development and aeolian activity. Despite the warmth of the Allerød interstadial, increased fires correlated with expanding pine forests and their heightened fire susceptibility. Short-term climate shifts likely destabilized vegetation, fostering fire occurrences during the Allerød interstadial.
Loess paleoenvironmental reconstructions on regional to supra-regional scales have recently gaine... more Loess paleoenvironmental reconstructions on regional to supra-regional scales have recently gained much attention. Geochemistry comparisons in relation to reference datasets, such as the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) data, have furthered our understanding of the climatic and geomorphological conditions under which terrestrial sites have developed. However, UCC data differs from loess, thereby obscuring important features, and the existing "average loess" datasets also are not sufficient for modern investigations. In this study, we examine the youngest Polish loess (L1LL1 = MIS 2, ca. 26-15 ka) for its suitability as a new, loess-focused reference dataset. Eighty-nine samples from seven sites were analyzed, using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. The loess had assumedly been homogenized during transportation and/or sedimentary recycling (La N /Sm N = 3.34-4.06, median 3.78; Eu/Eu* = 0.46-0.66, median 0.55; Gd N /Yb N = 1.08-1.49, median 1.26), and weakly affected by pre-or post-depositional weathering (CIA = 53.64-69.12, median 57.69). The statistically significant differences between sites in elemental medians were mostly conditioned by variations in grain size and in the "fresh" to "re-deposited" sediment ratio. Nonetheless, the overall geochemical composition homogeneity provided a basis for the estimation of Polish Median Loess (PML) data, as determined for 41 chemical elements. When used, PML data highlight differences between loess regions in Europe, thereby providing a tool for cross-continental comparisons.
<p>The influence of periglacial conditions on the development of aeolian bedforms i... more <p>The influence of periglacial conditions on the development of aeolian bedforms is not well understood. Observations of active dune fields in polar regions show that they can develop as either consistent dune fields, similar to what is known from hot regions, or as isolated sand patches controlled by the ground-water table. However, modern periglacial dune fields are rare, hampering the investigation of the factors that control dune-field evolution in cold regions.</p><p>The aim of this project is to define factors controlling the spatial pattern of periglacial dune fields in the central part of the European Sand Belt. Methods will include high-resolution morphometry and GIS analyses, combined with ground-penetrating radar, granulometry, and quartz-grain morphoscopy in an integrated approach. Pleistocene dune fields located in Poland will serve as key areas for similar dune systems elsewhere. Results will be supported by detailed studies of individual dunes. The project will try to answer the questions about 1) the impact of periglacial conditions (seasonal variability in sand supply, patches of permafrost, high surface wetness) and morphological framework (topography, surface inclination, occurrence of morphological barriers) on the development of dunes and dune fields; 2) spatial differentiation of aeolian processes within European Sand Belt.</p><p>The scientific hypothesis to test is that<strong> </strong>dune fields in periglacial regions are controlled by high variability of local depositional conditions, which result in the coexistence of various dune types and weak spatial organization of dune fields.</p><p>Results will allow us to develop a model of periglacial dune field evolution. Data will not only shed new light on periglacial aeolian morphology, but will be also valuable for the analyses of climatic conditions at the end of the last glacial.</p><p>The project is funded by Polish National Science Centre, contract number 2021/41/N/ST10/00350.</p>
Abstract Thin loess deposits are widespread soil parent materials and important archives for pale... more Abstract Thin loess deposits are widespread soil parent materials and important archives for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The origin of loess in SW Poland is attributed to the Great Odra Valley (GOV), following the general concept that large rivers play a major role in regional silt supply. Yet, the precise provenance (glacier sources and/or local rocks) of silts, possibly deflated from dry GOV braided riverbeds, is not clear. Our study of thin and thick loess mantles in SW Poland for the first time indicates the provenance of thin loess based on mineralogical (MLA-SEM) and isotopic analyses (143Nd/144Nd, 87Sr/86Sr). Luminescence ages of five localities point to thin loess mantle formation during and shortly (23.0 to 17.7 ka yr) after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Our isotopic data indicate that thin loess deposits in SW Poland are the mixtures of two main components – local Sudetic and Scandinavian, the latter delivered by the Fennoscandian ice sheet (FIS). Also, detailed analyses of heavy minerals show that a single mineral (e.g., hornblende) may come from both Sudetic and Scandinavian sources. This research highlights the role of the (Pleistocene) GOV in collecting and homogenizing materials, while supplying the region with fine particles to be deflated by paleowinds from open surfaces. Anomalies in mineralogy and isotopic composition are connected with influence of Sudetic mountain rivers and locally blowing silt material by katabatic winds. Regional grain size differentiation of thin loess mantles explains transport distance and altitude.
ABSTRACTThis paper presents 66 radiocarbon (14C) dates obtained at 33 key sites from the Polish p... more ABSTRACTThis paper presents 66 radiocarbon (14C) dates obtained at 33 key sites from the Polish part of the European Sand Belt. These calibrated dating results were compared to 34 high-resolution 14C dates obtained from a fluvial-aeolian sediments to identify pedogenic phases from the late Pleniglacial interval to the early Holocene. These identified pedogenic phases were correlated with Greenland ice-core records, revealing high sensitivity of the fluvio-aeolian paleoenvironment to climate changes. Two pedogenic phases were identified from the late Pleniglacial interval (Greenland Stadial GS-2.1b and GS-2.1a), three from the Bølling-Allerød interstadial (Greenland Stadial GI-1), one from the late Allerød–Younger Dryas boundary, and at least one from the Younger Dryas. The ages of these pedogenic phases reveal a distinct delay of 50–100 calendar years after the onset of cool climate conditions during GI-1, reflecting gradual withdrawal of vegetation. Soil horizons from the early Hol...
Правительство Ямало-Ненецкого автономного округа eBooks, 2021
The northern European loess belt (NELB) was created in cold climate conditions on the foreground ... more The northern European loess belt (NELB) was created in cold climate conditions on the foreground of Pleistocene continental glaciations. Loess-paleosol sequences (LPS) in this region were strongly influenced by periglacial processes and environments. Three types of periglacial structures are especially useful to reconstruct the former periglacial environment: cryogenic wedges with primary mineral infilling, cryoturbation and gelifluction structures, and ice-wedge pseudomorphs. These structures often form well-distinguishable marker horizons within LPS. We assume that at least some of these horizons were formed as a result of sudden, short-term cooling followed by equally sudden warming of the climate, when ice wedges and permafrost were decay. Periglacial records in the LPS confirm the general instability of the last glacial climate. The main periglacial stages correlate well with cold events of the marine record. However, their correlation with Greenland ice cores requires further research using modern methods and techniques.
Aeolian dunes have been widely identified in the European Sand Belt, which was formed during the ... more Aeolian dunes have been widely identified in the European Sand Belt, which was formed during the Pleniglacial and Late Glacial when cold and dry climatic conditions were favorable for intense Aeolian processes. In this study, we mapped and analyzed the fixed Bory Stobrawskie Dune Field (SW Poland) to determine factors that drive the evolution of dunes, expressed by the occurrence of different dune types and their spatial patterns. The study identified the longitudinal zonation within the dune field, as shown by the changeable proportion of specific dune types comparable to low-latitude dune fields. However, climatically controlled periodic and low sand supply combined with a changing vegetation cover caused the non-continuous and multi-phase evolution of the dune field. Additionally, we found that a dense pattern of streams has controlled the extent of the dune field. The trapping of sand by rivers led to a limitation of the dune field expansion; on the other hand, the supply of san...
Rivers are essential for loess deposit formation. River systems which relate directly to loess de... more Rivers are essential for loess deposit formation. River systems which relate directly to loess deposit formation include the Danube and the Rhine; the Mississippi and the Missouri; the Thames and the Medway; the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra; the Dnepr, Don and Volga; the Clutha, Mataura and Rakaia-New Zealand rivers; the Yellow River; rivers in South America; Siberian rivers (flowing north); the Odra and the Wisla (between the mountains and the ice); the Syr-Darya and Amu-Darya (into the desert).
Collection of conference abstracts presented at the vDEUQUA2021 (2021-09-30 to 2021-09-01), the v... more Collection of conference abstracts presented at the vDEUQUA2021 (2021-09-30 to 2021-09-01), the virtual meeting of the German Quaternary Association (DEUQUA).
<p>The age of aeolian deposits and duration of conditions favorable for aeolian pro... more <p>The age of aeolian deposits and duration of conditions favorable for aeolian processes within the European Sand Belt (ESB) are still debated. Nowadays combined <sup>14</sup>C and OSL data are proper tools to establish the chronology of ESB dunes. However, both methods have significant limitations. They can be used only in existing outcrops limiting spatial coverage of results and making them not reliable for whole dune fields. The second issue is that the oldest dune sediments can be already reworked during dune migration. Finally, the measurement error of OSL data is too high to determine the constructional time of dune fields. To overcome these limitations, we used LiDAR data to examine the pattern properties of 31 dune fields located within the central part of ESB. Dune field pattern is recognized as a self-organizing system, where pattern evolution is a function of constructional time. This is reflected by increasing dune spacing and crest length, a decrease in defect density, and an overall reduction in the statistical variance of these parameters as the pattern matures. Curves describing the relationship between these parameters and constructional time were already established.</p><p>Results of the pattern analyses show that studied dune fields represent a wide range of spatial patterns, from irregular parabolic dune fields through a variety of transitional types to well-developed and regular patterns of large transverse dunes. The study confirms that periglacial dune fields undergo the same self-organization of pattern as dune fields located in hot and temperate areas. Regardless of the specific periglacial conditions, the temporal relationship between crest length, spacing, and defect density is preserved. Calculated constructional time for dune fields ranges between 1.2-4.2 ka for defect density, 0.3-5.9 ka for crest length, and 2.2-6.8 ka for spacing, indicating high spatial and temporal variability in the development of dune fields and a lack of zonation regarding to ice-sheet retreat. The coexistence of a few dune fields characterized by different degrees of pattern maturity in close vicinity suggests that the evolution of these dune fields was individual for each site and driven mainly by local events leading to the release of sand, such as subsequent incision of rivers, lowering of groundwater table, forest fires or human-induced deforestation. </p><p>Presented results were obtained with the support of Polish National Science Centre, contracts number 2018/30/E/ST10/00616 and 2021/41/N/ST10/00350.</p>
Uploads
Papers by Zdzisław Jary