Abstract
Abstract This paper presents the results of new studies of Saalian tills, from the Ławki and Rogowiec formations, filling the Kleszczów Graben. The study area is located in the Szczerców outcrop, Bełchatów Lignite Opencast Mine, central Poland. Laboratory studies included macrofossil analysis of the deposits, as well as petrographic and geochemical (neodymium isotope ratio) measurements. The studies were carried out in 2014–2016 and resulted in both establishing the sedimentary Saalian complex and constructing geological cross-sections and a synthetic lithostratigraphic profile. Development of sediments in this part of the Kleszczów Graben in the Pleistocene was largely influenced by tectonic factors (Chabielice fault, Dębina Salt Dome) and glacitectonic processes (Wartanian Glaciation). The Saalian tills (T4 – Ławki and T7 – Rogowiec lithotypes) are between the Holsteinian sand with macroremnants of trees and the Eemian gyttja and peat. Petrographic coefficients for lithotype T4 (Ławki Formation) are 1.33–1.06–1.01 and 0.12 and for lithotype T7 (Rogowiec Formation) are 1.29–1.23–1.04 and 0.12. Investigations of the Nd isotopic compositions of the studied samples reinforce our interpretations of till deformation and tentative lithostratigraphic correlations. Neodymium isotope ratios “P” (−14.4 ± 0.7) and “D” (−12.4 ± 0.3) ε Nd values (2σ) correspond to mean signatures of Saalian glacigenic moraine sediment. This proves that ε Nd values less than −12.4 reflect the southern Fennoscandian Ice Sheet sediment provenance, but ε Nd values greater than −12.4 indicate the western European origin.
Highlights
As the lignite in the Bełchatów and Szczerców outcrops is extracted using the opencast method (Figure 1), we are capable of tracing till horizons and their positions in the vertical section of Pleistocene deposits.The investigations carried out during the last years have shown that the lithostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic subdivisions of the Bełchatów outcrop [1,2,3,4], which are used for the Szczerców outcrop [5], do not correspond fully to the new subdivision established for the Polish Lowlands [6,7,8].The lithology of Saalian deposits in the study area is relatively diverse
The Middle Polish Complex is represented by deposits of the Ławki Formation (Odranian, Older Saalian) and the Rogowiec Formation (Wartanian, Late Saalian)
The results of the research conducted in the Szczerców outcrop supplement the data on the Pleistocene section in central Poland (Table 1)
Summary
As the lignite in the Bełchatów and Szczerców outcrops is extracted using the opencast method (Figure 1), we are capable of tracing till horizons and their positions in the vertical section of Pleistocene deposits.The investigations carried out during the last years have shown that the lithostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic subdivisions of the Bełchatów outcrop [1,2,3,4], which are used for the Szczerców outcrop [5], do not correspond fully to the new subdivision established for the Polish Lowlands [6,7,8].The lithology of Saalian deposits in the study area is relatively diverse. As the lignite in the Bełchatów and Szczerców outcrops is extracted using the opencast method (Figure 1), we are capable of tracing till horizons and their positions in the vertical section of Pleistocene deposits. As the mining operations were progressing to the east, more and more intense effects of tectonic and glaciotectonic deformation of Pleistocene deposits were observed in the Szczerców outcrop. This is because of both the occurrence of the Chabielice fault and the influence of the Dębina Salt Dome (DSD) [5,9,10]. In the regions of Biała, Sulmierzyce, This work is licensed under the Creative Commons and Wolica, there is a zone of frontal moraines, whereas toward the north, a zone of kettle lakes and holes extends (Figure 1)
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