CZECH IGCP NATIONAL COMMITTEE * SUMMARY REPORT * 2000

 

1. Chairpersons of the Czech IGCP National Committee

Chairman: Jan PASAVA, Czech Geological Survey

Secretary: Jindrich HLADIL, Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences CR

Date of submission of Report: December 12th, 2000

 

2. Members of the Czech IGCP National Committee:

Vladimir CERMAK, Oldrich FATKA, Olga HODANOVA; Petr JAKES, Petr SULOVSKY, Vladimir SIBRAVA, Miroslav STEMPROK, and Karel ZACEK.

 

3. Number and title of projects in which the Czech Republic has participated:

 

A/ Projects with project leaders from the Czech Republic:

 

Project #405 - Anthropogenic Impact on Weathering Processes

Project Leaders: P. Sulovsky and J. Zeman

Czech Representatives: P. Sulovsky and J. Zeman

Activities of the Czech WG were focused on the formation of groups of authors to lead to the preparation and publication of the Final Report in the form of a book entitled "Anthropogenic Weathering" and with the aim to achieve general agreement about its content. Despite of very different opinions about the target audience, its scope and therefore its content, finally, the agreement in the all main topics was achieved and publishing of the final document is planned for the next year. P. Sulovsky took an active part in the Meeting of Building Stone Weathering subgroup in Aberdeen (January 2000) where a new international project on "Facade evaluation tool for modelling decay of building sandstones" (FACET) was prepared. P. Sulovský has also participated in the International Congress on Applied Mineralogy "ICAM 2000" (17 – 19 July, 2000) where he co-convened a special session devoted to anthropogenic weathering and cultural heritage (28 contributions). In March 2000, P.Sulovský and J.Zeman have organized a preparatory meeting of the "Intensive Course in Environmental Geoscience" for teachers in the town of Zdar n. Sazavou. Later on, the Intensive Course in Environmental Geosciences was organized together with the University of Bristol (UK) and the Technical University in Freiberg (Germany). This course was attended by 31 participants from the Czech Republic, Germany , Ghana and U.K.

 

Project #428 - Climate and Boreholes

Project Leaders: V. Cermak, H.N. Pollack and C. Clauser

Czech Representatives: V. Cermak and J. Safanda

2000 was the third year of the Project and the Czech WG has successfully continued in its activities. The most important results are summarized in the following text. The magnitude of the most recent (climate) warming can be directly measured by monitoring temperatures in shallow subsurface. The results from two 40-m deep experimental boreholes, drilled in the Czech Republic, enabled to separate the potential anthropogenic component from the natural climate variability. The inversion of almost one hundred T(z)-records completed by the analysis of the 1960-1997 surface air temperature series from 30 local meteorological stations revealed a regional distribution of the present-day warming rate and confirmed higher decade-scale warming rate of 0.028 K/yr. at site located on the rim of the large urban agglomeration (Prague) compared with lower value of 0.018 K/yr observed in agricultural countryside (Èermák et al., 2000).

Representatives of the Czech WG took an active part in two Project international events:

1. Workshop "Geothermics at the Turn of the Century", April 3-7, 2000 at Evora, Portugal, organized by Geophysical Centre of the University of Evora (convenor Antonio Correia) under the auspices of the IHFC of the IASPEI and co-sponsored by the IGCP 428.

2. Round table discussion on "Use of Temperature Borehole Data in the Climate Reconstruction", which followed the topical program of special symposia C-1 "Quaternary Climates" and C-2 "Past Climate Changes and the Geological Records" both held during the 31st International Geological Congress at Rio de Janeiro, August 2000.

Other activities in year 2000: Joint Japan, Russian and Czech three-year program (2000-2002) and Field Expedition to measure borehole temperatures to reconstruct the climate change together with the hydrogeological and tree-ring studies in Kamchatka, Petropavlovsk, Russia, September 25 – October 6, 2000. Convenors: Makoto Yamano (Tokyo), S.V.Kiryukhin (Petropavlovsk) and V.Cermak (Praha)

List of publications: Cermak, V., Safanda, J., Kresl, M., Dedecek, P. and Bodri, L. 2000, Recent climate warming: surface air temperature series and geothermal evidence. Stud.geophys.geod., 44, 430-441. // Pasquale, V., Verdoya, M., Chiozzi, P. and Šafanda, J. 2000, Evidence of climate warming from underground temperatures in NW Italy. Global Planet.Change, 25, 215-222. // Wojcik, G., Majorowicz, J., Marciniak, K., Przybylak, R., Safanda, J. and Zielski, A. 2000, The last millennium climate change in northern Poland derived from well temperature profiles, tree-rings and instrumental data. Prace geograficzne, Krakow, 107, 137-148.

 

Project #429 - Organics in Major Environmental Issues

Project Leaders: J. Pasava and J. Jenik

Czech Representative: B. Kribek

2000 was the third year of the Project. The activity of the IGCP 429 WG was concentrated on the following topics:

(a) Continuing study of the weathering of organic matter in waster dumps of coal mines of various age from the Pilsen Basin (West Bohemia, Czech Republic) has evidenced that significant amount of oxidation products (humic substances) is produced during weathering. From the agrochemical point of view, the weathering of organic matter affects namely the sorption capacity of rocks dumped on the heaps (Kribek, 2000). These results are very important and should be taken into consideration at the remediation of various dumpsites after coal mining worldwide.

(b) The study of behavior of selected trace elements in Alpine soils developed in the upper part of the Hauptdolomite (Zeefeld area, Tyrol, Austria) has shown that the mobility of chemical elements differs according to amount and maturity of humus in A horizon. The enrichment of many elements (As, Co, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in the upper part of all studied soil profiles is due to sorption and complexation capacity of humus substances (Kribek et al., 1999a).

(c) The study of black shales in the Barrandian Neoproterozoic (Bohemian Massif), has shown that metal-rich facies mostly occur in close association with volcanogenic rocks and were formed in lower energy environment - semi-isolated or isolated basins. They bear anomalously high metal concentrations derived mostly from occasional volcanogenic-hydrothermal vents. These widely outcropping facies together with numerous waste dumps and pit lakes which resulted from their past mining represent a serious danger for human living especially through the generation of acid waters and subsequent getting of leached toxic metals into the system (Pasava, 2000).

(d) The interaction between uranium and bitumens and radiation-induced changes in bitumen structure and chemical composition has been studied in the Pribram uranium deposit. It has been shown that bitumens efficiently immobilize uranium and other natural radionuclides in hydrothermal solutions. The results indicate that bitumens may be effectively used as a sealing material of high-grade radioactive wastes stored in underground repository sides (Kribek et al., 2000).

(e) The study of various roles of organic matter in the origin of tin-polymetallic tin deposits in the eastern part of the Dachang tin field (south China) confirmed that in situ oxidation od organic matter in host rock (black shale) contributed to the decrease in the oxygen fugacity and thus to the precipitation of ores (Pašava et al., in print).

Jan Pasava has co-organized and actively participated in the IGCP 429 Annual International Meeting (C7 Symposium), held in Rio de Janeiro (August 6-17, 2000) within the framework of the 31st IGC.

GEOCHIM 2000 - a postgraduate training course on Geochemical Exploration Methods and their Environmental Applications was in Prague and Dolni Rozinka from September 4 to September 18, 2000 by the Czech Geological Survey and IGCP 429 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment, Czech Republic and the Czech IGCP National Committee and financially sponsored by the Czech Commission for UNESCO, Czech Geological Survey in Prague, Division of Earth Sciences (UNESCO/Paris) - through the contract no. SC/RP 205.516.0, and the International Geological Correlation Programme - IGCP 429 "Organics in Major Environmental Issues". North Bohemian Mines Inc. kindly hosted one day field trip to the North Bohemian Coal Basin. Thirteen participants (of which 6 were female) from Albania, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, Romania, Russia and Zambia were trained both theoretically and practically in the geochemical exploration methods and their environmental applications. Director of the GEOCHIM Courses has been Dr. Jan Pašava, co-leader of the IGCP 429 and Chairman, Czech IGCP National Committee.

List of publications: Kribek, B. 2000, Weathering of organic matter in tips of coal mines, Plzen Basin, Czech Republic. Proceedings of the 31st IGC, Rio de Janeiro, C7 Symposium, August 6-17, 2000, CD-ROM Kribek, B. and Landais, P. 2000, Organic matter in ore deposits: from the genesis to the environmental issues. Scientific bridges for 2000 and beyond, a virtual colloquium by the Elf "Professeurs de l´Academie des Sciences, Academie des Sciences", 121-130, ISBN 2-7430-0365-0, Londres-Paris-New York. // Kribek, B., Pasava, J., and Lobitzer, H. 1999a, The Behavior of Selected Trace Elements in Alpine Soils Developed on Black Shales in the upper part of the “Hauptdolomit“ in the Seefeld Area, Tyrol, Austria. Abhandlungen der Geologischen Bundesanstalt, 56/2, 91-97 Wien. // Kribek B., Zak, K., Spangenberg, J., Jehlicka J., Prokes S. and Kominek J. 1999b, Bitumens in the Late Variscan hydrothermal vein-type uranium deposit of Pribram. Economic Geology, 94: 1093-1114. // Novak, M., Kirchner, J.W., Groscheova, H., Havel, M., Cerny, J., Krejci, R. and Buzek, F. 2000, Sulfur isotope dynamics in two Central European watersheds affected by high atmospheric deposition of SOX. Geochimica and Cosmochimica Acta 64, 367-383. Pergamon. // Pasava, J. 2001, Geochim 2000 - Postgraduate certificated training course in geochemical exploration methods and their environmental applications. Episodes (in print). // Pasava, J., 2000, Normal versus metal-rich black shales in the Barrandian Neoproterozoic of the Tepla-Barrandian Unit: a summary with new data. Bulletin of the Czech Geological Survey, 75, 3, 229-239, Prague. // Pasava, J. and Pouba, Z. 1999, Geology and geochemistry of toxic sulfidic black shales from the Teplá-Barrandian Unit on the example of two model sites. In: V. Lysenko, ed., Reviews of geological research, Ministry of the Environment, Czech Republic, Division of Geology, 30, Prague, ISBN 80-7212-117-0 (in Czech with English abstract). // Pasava, J., Kribek, B., Dobes, P., Vavrin, I., Zak, K., Fan, D. and Zhang T (in print): The role of black shales in the formation of tin-polymetallic deposits in the eastern part of the Dachang tin field, South China. MS Mineralium Deposita.

 

B/ Projects with active working groups in the Czech Republic:

 

Project #373 - Correlation, Anatomy and Magmatic-Hydrothermal Evolution

of Ore-Bearing Felsic Igneous Systems in Eurasia

Project Leaders: R. Seltmann, R.I. Grauch and A. Kremenetsky

Czech Representative: M. Stemprok

Czech representative participated at the organization of a special symposium G-6 of the 31st IGC in Rio de Janeiro (August 6-17, 2000). He was a co-author of the paper presented at the meeting on textures of mineralized rare metal granites. The studies of the Czech WG were focused on reexamination of the data from the deep drill hole CS-1 at Cinovec/Zinnwald in the Eastern Krusne hory-Erzgebirge and on comparison of the results with those from other drill holes drilled into ore bearing granites. This comparison showed that the stock-like ore-bearing granitic bodies have predominantly reversed type of geochemical zoning characterized by less evolved granites at the bottom of the examined profile while more evolved granites are at the top. This enrichment of the upper granitic levels is mostly due to post-solidus albitization, muscovitization and greisenization which concentrated LILE elements like Rb, Cs, Sn, W and Ta to the tops of intrusion (Stemprok, 2000). Stable isotope studies over the vertical section of the drill hole at Cinovec and in the Krasno district (Dolejš and Štemprok) showed that the whole-rock delta 18O values differ regionally. At Cinovec they were influenced in the upper part of the intrusion by meteoric waters possibly in magmatic stage.

List of publications: Dolejs, D. and Štemprok, M. 2001, Stable isotope study of highly evolved alkali feldspar granites from Cinovec (the eastern Krusne hory) and Krasno (the Slavkovsky les) in the Bohemian Massif (in preparation). // Seltmann, R., Stemprok, M., Mueller, A., 2001, Textures of rare-metal granites as exploration tool - a review. Proceedings of the 31st IGC, Rio de Janeiro, 6-17 August, 2000, 4pp (CD-Rom/IGC website). // Stemprok, M. 2000, Geochemical data from deep drill holes into ore-bearing granites. Muenchner Geol. Hefte A28, 225-243, Muenchen. [The paper by Stemprok (2000) was submitted to the Volume in honour of Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Morteani, published for the Festkolloqium/Symposium in Munich, 21.7.2000.

 

Project #386 - Response of the Ocean/Atmosphere System to Past Global Changes

Project Leaders: H. Strauss, L.R. Kump, D.M. Banerjee and Z. Sawlowicz

Czech Representatives: J. Hladikova and J. Hladil

Successful activities of the Czech WG have continued, especially three directions of research:

(a) Silurian to Devonian marine sedimentary environment and aquafacies

The original composition of sea water for Pragian-Eifelian basins of the Barrandian terranes was characterized by large positive anomaly in isotopic delta 18O values. This positive anomaly has not been found in samples from the nearby Koneprusy reef, where the delta 18O values of samples from the outer flanks correspond to the normal seawater composition. Wenlock samples are characterized by the lowest delta 13C values (close to -1 per mil.), the highest delta 13C value (4.4 per mil.) was found in Ludlow. Lochkovian and Pragian have delta 13C values close to 3 per mil., Emsian and Eifelian values range between 1 and 2 per mil. and Givetian samples have again higher delta 13C values (close to 2.5 per mil.). Positive shift in delta 13C values from Eifelian to Givetian has also been reported from sedimentary sequences elsewhere. However, the change in delta 13C values does not closely follow the global sea-level change. Although the sea level dropped from Wenlock to Pridoli, the delta 13C values increased. Conversely, the Eifelian-Givetian sea-level rise is parallel to increased delta 13C values. The Silurian data from the Barrandian area indicate a parity , which is opposite to the parity in the Devonian and younger periods.

The Pragian-Eifelian 18-oxygen-anomalous increase in Prague basin is controversially accompanied by an almost synchronous depression in delta 13C values. The same timing have been observed in increased contents of selected non-ferrous metals and rare elements (ICP-MS trace element data for brachiopod samples). Transition metals Zn, Ni, Cu and Pb show relatively high concentrations of tens to hundreds ppm and although their contents vary, they also increase during Wenlock to Lochkovian and especially during Pragian-Eifelian periods and decrease again during Givetian. Concentration variations of these elements follow the trends of Mg, Cr and Ti contents in the calcite of brachiopods. Ba, Rb and Tl contents show a similar trend but they increase continually from Wenlock to Pragian. Conversely, V, Ga, Ce, La show only a small increase during this interval. The contents of Mn and U are decreasing from Wenlock to Givetian, with a small variation during Emsian. The Sr/Mn ratio has an opposite trend and it shows a continuous increase, with and exception during Emsian. The Ce/La ratio is steady throughout the sequence (close to 1.0 except in Wenlock and Emsian where it is close to 1.2; in Givetian it drops down to 0.6).

Increased amount of trapped non-ferrous metal ions in brachiopod calcite is interpreded in the following way: The Prague basin formed probably a depression within the peri-Gondwanan shelfs. Although it is likely that this basin was partly shielded from the ocean by linear archipelagos, it was never completely separated from the open ocean because the ocean-surface migration of pelagic fauna was not interrupted. The anomalous isotopic compositions of carbonate materials observed since the Pragian is present in the sedimentary sequence up to the Eifelian-Givetian Kacak sediments, that correspond to a massive exchange of water with the surrounding ocean and restoration of the normal conditions. The anomalous increase in the delta 18O, moderate depression of delta 13C values, and increased amount of trapped metals in LMC of brachiopods suggest an occurrence of brines in deep depressions of the seafloor (similar to present-day depressions in Red Sea or Indian Ocean). It also corresponds to scarcity of brachiopods in deep water environments. However, very high delta 18O values and considerably low micritization of bioclasts may reflect the formation of calcite in relatively cold water (i.e. considerable depth of this "huge-lagoon" basins).

The composition of samples from the nearby Koneprusy reef does not reflect this anomalous seawater composition and we suggest its connection with a large ocean reservoir. Similarity with the Pragian-Eifelian global sea-level depression may indicate a eustatic origin of this regional anomaly (Hladikova et al. 2000).

(b) Carbon and oxygen isotopes and relationship between cyclicity and eustasy on Devonian platforms

The Devonian carbonate complexes of the Moravian Karst deposited in platform to reef environments reflect a series of eustatically controlled onlaps on the peneplained continental margins. In geological time scale, they range from the Late Eifelian to Frasnian/ Famennian. The facies and tectonic development of the central and eastern Moravia are very similar to the SW of England, Dinant in Belgium, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge. The paleogeographical position on paleolatitudes changed gradually from ca 18 to 12 degree South, from the Late Eifelian to Famennian times, respectively. The rift-related marine basins (pull-apart tectonic openings) transtensionally widened and the Cadomian crystalline borders were slightly subsiding and tilted. Flooding on other continents of the world documents that Givetian-Frasnian sea level rise was strong. Both the flooding of continents and uninterrupted equatorial circulation in oceans increased the warming of global climate. A considerable warming of water on tropical shoals has been suggested according to very low delta 18O values, huge amount of rapidly deposited algal and microbial micrite, as well as increased contents of organic matter trapped in the carbonate sediment. The long-term trend of delta 18O values of Middle/Upper Devonian seawater is slightly decreasing within the low negative values, whereas delta 13C values are medium with trend to slight increase. The widely correlated delta 13C anomalies are connected to pre-asymmetricus (late Givetian) and Kellwasser event, some occur also earlier and later. The crisis-related positive shifts in delta 13C values of carbonate usually extend to +2.5 - 3.3 per mil. These anomalies were reduced on platforms, however, owing to intensity of the erosion and thinness of transgressive tract above the disconformity. Even the strong regional anomalies have only reduced extent on the platforms, as documented, for instance, by the Krtiny Pa. transitans anomaly ~ delta 13C of +5.5 per mil. The delta 18O values of carbonate vary in broad ranges and reflect likely the early diagenetic contact with meteoritic water (increased Mn, Fe-contents in carbonates).

The rough standard averages for the Middle/Upper Devonian marine carbonates of the Devonian tropics are ca delta 13C +1o/oo and delta 18O -2 per mil. PDB. The average values from the Moravian Karst are different: delta 13C +1.7 per mil. and delta 18O -5.2 per mil. PDB (in shallow parts of the 2nd and 3rd sequence even delta 13C +2 per mil. and delta 18O -6 per mil.). In comparison with the normal values of carbonates deposited in these times, the mean carbon isotope composition in Moravian Karst is by 1 per mil. PDB "heavier" and the oxygen composition of carbonate is by 4 per mil. PDB "lighter". Sequence-related patterns: The delta 13C and delta 18O values strongly vary at the base of the sequence and then evolve in more predicable way. The main changes in the partial sequences, as well as in the entire sequence, have been illustrated by means of moving-average and polynomial-function techniques. The highly splined curves for the whole complex show concurrent rundown on the both delta 13C and delta 18O values. From the base to top of the section, they become to be more positive, in the second third are stabilized and finally drop to a little depression. This whole-sequence pattern ("humpback" shape) differs from detailed view on the partial sequences.

In these minor sequences, delta 13C and delta 18O values evolve differently: From the base to end, the delta 13C values are gradually shifted toward highly positive range. Conversely, the delta 18O values are gradually shifted to low negative values. This divergence corresponds to many sedimentological characteristics (such as thickening of the beds, coarsening of the sediment, increased abundance of stromatoporoids and corals, lightening of rock color and shallowing of depositional environment). A rapid convergence of the delta 13C and delta 18O values at the end of the sequence can be explained as a return to initial values. This cyclic pattern ("mushroom" shape) repeats in the section. Interpretation: The divergence of the delta 13C and delta 18O values during the process of shallowing (terminating highstand-phase in connection with an intensive growth of reef organisms) has been explained in the most simple way:

1. Populated algae depleted the amount of 12C-isotope in the microenvironments and caused enrichment in 13C of carbonate.

2. Sea-level controlled emergence of shallow stromatoporoid-coral-algal banks was connected to diagenetic alteration by meteoritic water.

The petrographical evidence is based on occurrence of "vadose silt", pendant cements and silicified "microgeodes". However, the negative shift of the delta 18O values would be, at least in part, connected with the generally assumed high temperature of surface water (Hladil and Hladiková, 2000).

(c) Strontium chemostratigraphy as tool for age determination in reef complexes

High-resolution stratigraphy of reef complexes is a common problem that is mainly caused by the scarcity of pelagic faunas used for fine biostratigraphical correlations. In this context, the Pragian Koneprusy reef with the most diver-sified Early Devonian reef community known is no exception. The sedimentation in this complex, located in the Barrandian basins 25 km SW of Prague, started with crinoidal-bryozoan debris and terminated with a proper reef facies. Most of this sequence is classified as Koneprusy Limestone. In studying the Barrandian basins, geologists face the general weakness of Pragian stratigraphical zonation: the threefold subdivision to sulcatus, kindlei and pireneae conodont zones provides very fluctuating and often fading boundaries (Slavik, 1999) and fuzzy outlined acuaria and strangulata tentaculite zones have no better resolution. This is indeed frustrating as the total time span of Pragian is estimated at 4 Ma (Tucker et al., 1998). Additional principal issue is the existence and duration of stratigraphical lacunae at the lower and upper Koneprusy sequence boundaries. A significant unconformity marks the base of the complex, where the reef limestones cover the eroded Lochkovian calciturbidites. This hiatus corresponds to missing evidence for pesavis conodont zone (Hladil, 1997; Slavik, 1998). The erosional nature of the upper limit is also well-known; the maximum estimated time range for this hiatus is from pireneae to inversus zones (Chlupac, 1956; Slavik, 1998). As the study of fossils has so far failed to produce convincing evidence concerning the timing and total duration of sedimentation at Koneprusy in Pragian times, alternative method has been sought. The steep gradient on the sea water Sr isotope curve observed in the Pragian (Veizer et al., 1999) indicates that strontium chemostratigraphy may have such a potential. In order to date the uppermost part of the sequence, brachiopods were sampled 10 and 30 meters below the top of a 150-m thick complex in the Certovy Schody East quarry, and in a short interval of beds approxi-mately 25 m below the top of a 80-m thick complex in the Plesivec quarry. The samples for Sr study have been obtained from the secondary shell layer and selected carefully on the basis of their CL study, minor- and trace-element compositions as well as O isotopic ratios. If only presumably little altered brachiopod shells (Sr/Mn = 2.3-4.7) are used, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios fall into a restricted range of 0.70840 to 0.70842 (n = 4). When compared with the database of Veizer et al. (1999), these values indicate a biostratigraphical age corresponding to the kindlei conodont zone. Therefore, the obtained data fit the hypothesis that the uppermost Pragian sedimentation in the Koneprusy reef was either absent or is (largely?) not preserved. On this basis it seems that the Pragian sedimentation here was relatively short-lived (Janousek et al., 2000).

List of publications: Hladikova, J., Hladil, J., Kosler, J. and Jackova, I. 2000, Evolution of Silurian and Devonian sedimentary environments in the Prague basin: evidence from isotopic compositions of carbon and oxygen and trace element contents in brachiopod shells. In: Oschmann, W., Steininger, F.F. & Fuersich, F.T., Biomarkers and Stable Isotopes in Palaeontology [June 30 - July 2, 2000], p. 43-45. European Palaeontological Association Workshop 2000, Programme and Abstracts, 152 pp. Frankfurt a.M. // Hladil, J. and Hladikova, J. 2000, Isotopic compositions of carbon and oxygen in platform/reef carbonates of the Moravian Karst: The vertical section shows characteristic patterns related to sedimentary sequences. Ibidem p. 51-53. EPA 2000 "Biomarkers and Isotopes ...", 152 pp. Frankfurt a.M. // Janousek, V., Hladil, J., Fryda, J. and Slavik, L. 2000, Strontium Chemostratigraphy as an Indicator of Age and Duration of Reef Sedimentation: A Case Study from Koneprusy Reef of Pragian Age (Devonian, Central Bohemia). Journal of Conference Abstracts, 5(2): p. 552.

 

Project #408 - Rocks and Minerals at Great Depth and on the Surface

Project Leaders: F. Mitrofanov, D.M. Gubermann and H.J. Kuempel

Czech Representatives: J. Trckova

Czech WG has organized an international plenary meeting of the Project in Prague (September 24-28, 2000). The meeting was attended by 44 participants from Russia, Germany, Slovakia, Norway, Hungary, USA and the Czech Republic and a book of Proceedings entitled "The results of the study of the deep substance and physical processes in the Kola Superdeep Borehole section down to a depth of 12261 m" was published in both English and Rusian. The Proceedings include abstracts of 29 oral and 4 poster presentations. The experiences were discussed in separate - expert groups. In the frame of the Plenary meeting excursion to the KTB borehole (Germany) was organized.

Scientific activities of the Czech WG are summarized in the following text. In the Laboratory of Geotechnics of the IRSM ASCR the physical, strength and deformational properties were determined for six samples of amphibolites from various depths (3043-9904 m) of the Kola Superdeep Borehole. Modal and chemical composition was carried out too. The preliminary results are given in Trckova (1999) and Trckova and Zivor (2000) and will be also published in journal Acta Montana. P-wave velocity distributions of samples at different confining pressures by means of ultrasonic sounding with regard to determine anisotropy was carried out and the results summarized in Lokajicek (1999) and Lokajicek et al. (2000). This is a first step of the sub-project. The second one will be determination of the same characteristics for homologues of tested rocks from surface, when appropriate samples available.

List of publications: Lokajicek T. 1999, P-wave anisotropy, texture analysis and petrology of Kola Superdeep borehole rocks and their homologues. Intern. Geological Correlation Programme, Project No. 408 Rocks and minerals at depth and on the surface: Subproject, Geological Institute Apatity, 52-58. // Lokajicek T., Klima K., Nikitin A.N., Ivankina T.I., Ullemeyer K., Smirnov Y.P. and Kusnetzov Y.I. 2000, P-wave elastic anisotropy and texture of amphibolites from the Kola Superdeep Borehole KSDB-3. Publ. of IGCP Project No. 408. The result of the study of the deep substance and physical processes in the Kola superdeep borehole section down to a depth of 12261 m, Apatity, 122-125. // Trckova J. 1999, Physical and mechanical properties changes of rocks in function of depth. Intern. Geological Correlation Programme, Project No. 408, Rocks and minerals at depth and on the surface: Subproject, Geological Institute Apatity, 63-66. // Trckova J. and Zivor, R. 2000, Physical and mechanical properties changes of rocks in function of depth. Publ. of IGCP Project No. 408. The result of the study of the deep substance and physical processes in the Kola superdeep borehole section down to a depth of 12261 m, Apatity, 99-100.

 

Project # 410 - The Great Ordovician Biodiversification Events

Project Leaders: B. D. Webby, M. L. Droser and F. Paris

Czech Representative O. Fatka

Broad activities of Czech participants of the IGCP 410 have successfully continued. Two lectures were presented in the International Hanns Bruno Geinitz Symposium organized in Dresden. Four Czech participants took an active part in the conference PALAEONTOLOGY DOWN-UNDER 2000 held in Australia in July 2000 (presentation of 3 orals and 2 posters). Another three presentations were contributed to the 10th International Palynological Congress in Nanjing (China). One oral presentation was given also in the Geological Society of America Meeting in Reno, Nevada, USA (November, 2000). Scientific results have been summarized in many publications. O.Fatka has become a member of the Scientific Committee of the Symposium "Early Palaeozoic Palaeogeographies and Biogeographies of Western Europe and North Africa" (24-26 September, 2001, Lille, France).

List of publications: Fatka, O. 2000, Lower-Middle Ordovician boundary interval in the Prague Basin (Barrandian area, Czech Republic). - Geological Society of America, 391. Reno. // Fatka, O., Kraft, P., Kraft, J. and Marek, J. 2000, Study of biodiversity of the Ordovician in the Barrandian area (Bohemian Massif). In: Lange, J-M., Linnemann, U., Thalheim, K., Kunzmann, L., Schneider, J. and Voigt, T. (eds.): Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden 11, International Hanns Bruno Geinitz Symposium, 58-59. Dresden. // Fatka, O., Molyneux, S.G., Samuelson, J. and Servais, T. 2000, Integrated biostratigraphy (Acritarchs, Chitinozoans, Graptolites) of the Tremadoc/Arenig boundary interval in European peri-Gondwana. In: Wang Weiming, Ouyang Shu, Yu Ge (eds.):10th International Palynological Congress, Abstracts, 40-41. Nanjing. // Fryda, J. and Rohr, D. 2000, Paleogeography of Ordovician Gastropods – a preliminary analysis. In: Cockle, P., Wilson, G. A., Brock, G. A., Engelbretsen, M. J., Simpson, A., Winchester-Seeto, T. (eds.). Palaeontology Down-Under 2000, Geological Society of Australia, Abstracts Number 61. 156-157. Sydney. // Kraft, P., Fatka, O. and Marek, J. 2000, Recent research of Cambrian to Silurian rocks east of the Barrandian area (Bohemian Massif). In: Lange, J-M., Linnemann, U., Thalheim, K., Kunzmann, L., Schneider, J. and Voigt, T. (eds.): Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden 11, International Hanns Bruno Geinitz Symposium, 82-84. Dresden. // Kraft, P. and Kraft, J. 2000, A possible Hydroid from the Bohemian Ordovician. In: Cockle, P., Wilson, G. A., Brock, G. A., Engelbretsen, M. J., Simpson, A., Winchester-Seeto, T. (eds.). Palaeontology Down-Under 2000, Geological Society of Australia, Abstracts Number 61. 162-163. Sydney. // Kraft, P. and Kraft, J. 2000, Faunal changeover and diversity trends on the Arenig-Llanvirn boundary in the Bohemia Ordovician. In: Cockle, P., Wilson, G. A., Brock, G. A., Engelbretsen, M. J., Simpson, A., Winchester-Seeto, T. (eds.). Palaeontology Down-Under 2000, Geological Society of Australia, Abstracts Number 61. 51-52. Sydney. // Marek, J., Weber, B., Schonian, F., Eggenhogg, S.O. and Erdtmann, B-D. 2000, Arenig Cephalopods from southern Bolivia. In: Cockle, P., Wilson, G. A., Brock, G. A., Engelbretsen, M. J., Simpson, A., Winchester-Seeto, T. (eds.). Palaeontology Down-Under 2000, Geological Society of Australia, Abstracts Number 61. 56-57. Sydney. // Montenari, M., Bocke, R., Fatka, O. and Servais, T. 2000, Morphology and ecological interpretation of Stelliferid Acritarch processes. In: Wang Weiming, Ouyang Shu, Yu Ge (eds.): 10th International Palynological Congress, Abstracts, 119-120. Nanjing. // Servais, T., Fatka, O., Brocke, R., Dorning, K. J., Heuse, T., Le Herisse, A., Molyneux, S. G., Ribecai, C., Rubinstein, C. V., Vanguestaine, M., Vecoli, M. and Wicander, R. (2000): A complete catalogue of Ordovician Acritarch species. In: Cockle, P., Wilson, G. A., Brock, G. A., Engelbretsen, M. J., Simpson, A., Winchester-Seeto, T. (eds.). Palaeontology Down-Under 2000, Geological Society of Australia, Abstracts Number 61. 96. Sydney. // Servais, T., Fatka, O., Brocke, R., Dorning, K. J., Heuse, T., Le Herisse, A., Molyneux, S. G., Ribecai, C., Rubinstein, C. V., Vanguestaine, M., Vecoli, M., Wicander, R. (2000): A complete catalogue of Ordovician Acritarch species. In: Wang Weiming, Ouyang Shu, Yu Ge (eds.): 10th International Palynological Congress, Abstracts, 148-150. Nanjing.

 

Project #421 - North Gondwanan Mid-Palaeozoic Biodynamics

Project Leaders: R. Feist and J. A. Talent

Czech Representatives: J. Hladil and J. Kriz

Activities of the Czech WG have successfully continued and major results are described in the following text.

Two concepts about physical stratigraphy of platform carbonate sequences have been extended. Whole-log comparisons result in general patterns of climatic changes and eustasy for the Upper Devonian. The lowstand to flooding surface stages are regularly reflected by increased amounts of weathering products and these fluctuating amounts are documented using the gammaspectrometric and magnetosusceptibility tools. Basically, increased total gamma ray counts correspond to or just follow after the sealevel lowstands, as well as demonstrated in increased values of magnetic susceptibility of the rocks (ferromagnetic and paramagnetic constituents). Increased contents of paramagnetic minerals and iron oxides largely characterize lowstand starvation on platforms and proximal slopes. The early stages of transgressive tracts have typical dark-gray colored sediments with higher total organic carbon contents and small, microbial magnetite crystals. The presence of magnetite is much more significant than assumed during previous stages of investigation. Other magnetic constituents in this environment, such as thiospinels and pyrrhotite are also effective in TOC-rich sediments of middle slope and/or sheltered basins, whereas limonite and pyrite result in low MS or have little effect. Interregional correlations between the Australia, Central Europe and eastern United States are promising. Calculations of mean curves show an existence of six stratigraphically significant eustatic cycles, which vertically subdivide the Frasnian to six, respectively three segments. Refinements based on physical stratigraphy have implication for time correlation within the framework of migration routes and variously climbing biozones of expanding or retreating faunas (Hladil et al., 2000).

Bivales from the lowermost Devonian of the eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco has been described. The majority of the species are closely related to the species described from Perunica (Prague Basin, Bohemia) and the Northern Gondwana marginal regions (Sardinia, Massif Armoricain, and the Carnic Alps). The bivalve dominated communities, described from Morocco may be used for the correlation with Perunica and other Gondwanan European basins in the Lochkovian. Analyses of the Lochkovian bivalves shows that the distance between the Anti-Atlas and Perunica with Northern Gondwana was much smaller than it has been interpreted on the basis of paleomagnetic measurements. The development of the Silurian type cephalopod limestone facies in several other levels higher in the Devonian may be caused by the same paleogeographic position of Morocco during the Lower Devonian as the Gondwanan Massif Armoricain, Sardinia, Carnic Alps and Perunican Prague Basin were during the Silurian. They all shifted together during the Lower Devonian to the equatorial region while Morocco changed its position to the temperate region just south of the equatorial region (Kriz, in press). Lochkovian bivalves of Bohemian type from the eastern Anti-Atlas (Lower Devonian, Morocco).- Senckenbergiana lethaea.

The Czech WG will co-organize a topical field trip associated with the Final Meeting of the IGCP 421 on "Eastern terrain segments of Armorican Group in structure of variscan orogenic belts".

List of publications: Hladil, J., Pruner, P., Elwood, B.B. and Jansa, L.F. 2000, Gamma spectrometric and magnetosusceptibility logs from the Frasnian platform limestones (Moravia): indications of their large correlation potential. In: Diez, J.B. & Balbino, A.C. (Eds), I Congresso Iberico de Paleontologia - XVI Jornadas de la Sociedad espanola de Paleontologia / VIII International Meeting of IGCP 421, 12-14 Oct. 2000, Evora, Portugal. Livro de Resumos (Abstract Book), p. 235-238. Évora. ISBN 972-778-026-1. // Kriz, J. in press, Lochkovian bivalves of Bohemian type from the eastern Anti- Atlas (Lower Devonian, Morocco). Senckenbergiana lethaea.

 

Project #442 - Raw materials of the Neolithic/Aeneolithic polished stone artefacts:

their migration paths in Europe Raw Materials of Neolithic Artefacts

Project Leaders: D. Hovorka (Slovak Republic)

Czech Representatives: A. Prichystal

2000 was the second year of the project. Activities of the Czech WG were focused on the:

(a) Characterization of lithic raw materials of pre-Columbian inhabitants in Pacific Nicaragua, Central America

(b) Survey of stone raw materials used by Neolithic/Aeneolithic cultures in the Czech Republic

(c) Editing and reviewing of monographic volume 2000 of the journal Krystalinikum which is devoted to results of the project

(d) Organization/co-organization of conferences, meetings and workshops - this year: 3rd Workshop of the IGCP/UNESCO Project No. 442 in Eggenburg, Austria, 27th-29th September 2000

A special lecture on the Survey of raw materials mining on the territory of the Czech Republic in prehistoric times was given at the International conference "700 years of IUS REGALE MONTANORUM" (October 3-5, 2000 in Kutna Hora).

The Czech WG cooperates with the International Commission on the History of Geological Sciences (INHIGEO).

 

4. IGCP meetings held in the Czech Republic in 2000

 

Project #405 - Intensive Course in Environmental Geoscience, Czech Republic (31 participants from Czechia, Great Britain, Germany and Ghana)

Project #408 - Rocks and Minerals at Great Depth and on the Surface. Plenary meeting 2000 of the Project-408. Prague, Horomerice, September 24-28, 2000 (44 participants from 7 countries), field trip to German KTB, Book of Proceedings.

Project #429 - Organics in Major Environmental Issues. Meeting of the Czech WG at the occasion of the GEOCHIM 2000 - a postgraduate training course on Geochemical Exploration Methods and their Environmental Applications, Dolni Rozinka , September 8-9, 2000 (19 participants)

 

5. IGCP meetings planned for 2001

 

Project #428 - Fifth International Conference on "Terrestrial Heat Flow and the Lithosphere Structure". Kostelec, Czech Republic, June 6-10, 2001.

Project #429 - GEOCHIM 2001, UNESCO/IGCP 429 postgraduate training course, Dolni Rozinka, September 3 – 17, 2001 ~ hosting the Czech WG meeting.

 

6. Other relevant information

 

The Czech IGCP National Committee was one of organizers of the GEOCHIM 2000 - a postgraduate training course on Geochemical Exploration Methods and their Environmental Applications. This certificated course took part in Prague and Dolni Rozinka between September 4-18, 2000 and 13 scientists representing 10 developing countries participated in this event.

In order to promote IGCP activities in the Czech Republic the Committee has also continued in seeking funds for the IGCP National Committee special foundation established in 1996. Generous donation which enabled to release 9 grants in the total amount of 70 500.- Czk was kindly provided by a major sponsor of the Czech IGCP National Committee: Severoceske doly, a.s.(North Bohemian Coal Mining Co.; Chomutov).

A new website of the Czech IGCP National Committee has been established at http://www.gli.cas.cz/igcp/ (these are just the pages where you are connected now).