One of the best preserved Early Pliensbachian radiolarian assemblages from the Western Tethys is described. From grey marly limestone, 45 genera and 71 species are documented and illustrated; four species are newly described. Radiolarian age is in accordance with ammonoid data from the overlying red marly limestone, which was assigned to the upper part of the Lower Pliensbachian. We compared the studied fauna with two other rich radiolarian assemblages, one from another locality in Austria and one from the Taurides in Turkey, which were assigned to the late Early Pliensbachian and are somewhat younger than the assemblages studied herein. The paper is an important contribution to the taxonomy of Early Jurassic radiolarians.
COBISS.SI-ID: 45740077
Formation of fibrous microcrystalline gypsum and macroscopic gypsum speleothems in lava tubes of Lanzarote was studied to unravel the precipitation mechanisms of these two fabric types of gypsum. Analysis of 87Sr/86Sr ratios supplied information about the seawater source of Ca. ?34S and the ?18O of gypsum were analysed to investigate the origin of sulphur and the possible microbial influence in gypsum formation.
COBISS.SI-ID: 44470061
Soil formation on limestone is not yet resolved. It could be an insoluble residua, but other material sources are also possible. The purpose of investigation was to establish if characteristics of limestone influence the pedological and geochemical characteristics of soil. In the Karst region near Divača, we sampled soils in six profiles developed on the limestone of three geological formations: Sežana, Lipica, and Liburnian. Additionally, limestone insoluble residua was obtained, and in Liburnian Formation interbedded material and material filling fractures and cavities was sampled. All soils have silty clay and silty-clayey loam texture, pH levels in the range 4.5–7.0, high organic matter content and saturation with basic cations over 50%. However, soils on the Sežana Formation are deeper and more evolved. Their insoluble residuum is richest in mineral part. The soils formed over the Lipica Formation are characterised by a greater portion of the small rock fragments (( 200 g), due to its paleo-karstification. The insoluble residuum of all three formations is rich in organic matter. The general soil chemistry is in accordance with highly weathered upper crustal material and, compared to insoluble residua indicates the contribution of material from an additional source. Established differences in redox-sensitive elements (Cr, Mo, Ni, U, V, and Y) between formations, which are inherited by the insoluble residua. However, considering the texture and general geochemistry, non-carbonate material must have been added. The material that fills karst forms inside the limestone profile is similar to the soils, but not identical. Other interbedded and probably also eolian material contributed to the final mass.
COBISS.SI-ID: 8985977
Lower Cretaceous syn-orogenic deposits of Neotethyan origin are, in the Southern Alps, known only from a relatively small area between Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj in the Julian Alps. Our stratigraphic and structural field studies revealed that these deposits form the terminal sequence of two different stratigraphic successions, which we correlated with similar successions in the Central Dinarides, the Northern Calcareous Alps and the Transdanubian Range. In the study area, we distinguished two superposed nappes (ascribed to the Dinaric thrusting phase) and inferred a Late Oligocene to Recent post-nappe deformation history, which is in accordance with that of the neighboring areas in the Alps-Dinarides transition zone. The paper is important especially because it clarifies the paleogeographic origin and the structural position of the Lower Cretaceous flysch, which was for long regarded as an "exotic" unit in the Julian Alps.
COBISS.SI-ID: 43468077
We studied the insecticidal effects of ashes from three different tree species (common beech, Norway spruce, and black locust) on the mortality of Sitophilus zeamais adults under laboratory conditions. A diatomaceous earth formulation, SilicoSec® was used as a positive control. We studied the contact effects of ashes on adults and the insecticidal effect of ash mixed with wheat grain. The experiment was carried out at three different temperatures (15, 20 and 25?°C) and at two different relative humidity [r.h.] values (55% and 75%). After 7?days there was more than 97% mortality for the beetles in all three wood ashes at 25?°C and 55% R.h., while after 14?days wood ash of Norway spruce showed the highest effectiveness (87%) at 20?°C and 55% R.h. 96% mortality was recorded at 20?°C and 55%, when SilicoSec® was applied. The most efficient ash was that of Norway spruce, yet we attribute its effectiveness not only to its highest content of SiO2 (11.68%) but also to the other ingredients in ash, which can enhance its hygroscopic properties. Our research demonstrated that wood ash can efficiently protect stored crops from maize weevils.
COBISS.SI-ID: 9019257