Nizke Tatry Research Articles

Morphological characteristics as a key attribute for a successful determination of selected Cotoneaster species

Article Details: Received: 2019-12-17 | Accepted: 2019-01-24 | Available online: 2020-03-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.01.15-23 In this paper, morphological features, such as the number of pyrenes in pome and the number of pomes in infructescence, were used for determination of closely related tetraploid Cotoneaster species. Samples were collected from various localities in the Western Carpathians. The collection of samples, designed for counting of pyrenes in pome, included 2353 pomes of >130 individuals. Number of pyrenes in pome ranged from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in pyrenes per pome mean values between C. integerrimus (3.01), C. melanocarpus agg. (2.46; including C. matrensis) and C. tomentosus (3.93). The collection of samples, designed for counting of pomes in infructescence, included 1019 infructescences of 141 individuals. Number of pomes in infructescence ranged from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant difference in pomes per infructescence mean values between C. integerrimus (1.14) and C. melanocarpus agg. (1.54; including C. matrensis), and between C. integerrimus and C. tomentosus (1.50). Keywords: pyrenes, pomes, infructescence, Cotoneaster, Western Carpathians

MECHANISMS OF CRYSTAL GROWTH AND ZONING OF HYDROTHERMAL PYRITE FROM Sb-Au DEPOSITS IN NIZKE TATRY, SLOVAKIA

Pyrite is one of the most common ore minerals in hydrothermal ores and a hallmark of many types of hydrothermal deposits, e.g. , mesothermal quartz veins with pyrite, arsenopyrite, and visible or invisible gold. In addition to any other mineralogical investigation, it is possible to examine and interpret the crystal size distribution (CSD) of the mineral which is under investigation. The conditions of mineral-forming processes can be diverse in terms of temperature, pressure, and compositional variables, but the CSD shapes are usually convergent and by far the most common CSD type is the lognormal distribution. In this study, we determined the CSD for pyrite crystals from mesothermal quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite-stibnite-gold ores from the Nizke Tatry Mountains (Western Carpathians, Slovakia). A large number of crystals were measured manually from ore sections or from stereographic images. All samples show a crystal size spectrum from ≈2 μm up to ≈550 μm. We discovered that all CSDs show a lognormal or pseudo-lognormal shape with low logarithmic size variances (β2). In order to understand the history of nucleation and growth of pyrite formed in hydrothermal milieus, we compared our measurements to simulations with different growth mechanisms using the GALOPER (Growth According to the Law of Proportionate Effect) program (after [Eberl et al. 1998][1]). From the shape of the distributions, the logarithmic mean (α) and β2, we inferred that the crystals grew in an open system with its associated growth mechanisms (surface-controlled growth and supply-controlled growth), since no evidence for ripening processes in the data or in the numerical simulations of our data could be found. Since ripening as a growth mechanism can be excluded, we have to assume that the growth of the pyrite crystals and so the formation of the whole ore body occurred on a relatively short geological time scale. This preliminary result opens more questions related to the emplacement, circulation, and supersaturation of hydrothermal fluids and to the formation of large ore bodies over short time scales. [1]: #ref-10

Phenetic variability of Aconitum lasiocarpum (Rchb.) Gáyer (Ranunculaceae): extension of taxonomic and geographic

<em>A. lasiocarpum</em> has provoked a long-standing debate over its systematic and geographic status. Present taxonomic and chorological studies offer a proposal for the solution of these problems. In their result, a taxon described by Zapałowicz (1908) was rediscovered, now treated as <em>A. lasiocarpum</em> subsp. <em>kotulae</em> comb. nov. It occurs far beyond hitherto admitted borders of <em>A. lasiocarpum</em> subsp. <em>lasiocarpum</em>, reaching the Sanok-Jasło Basin, the Tatra Mts. and Babia Góra Mt. in the Western Carpathians, and Podolye on Ukraine. A hybrid between<em> A. lasiocarpum</em> and <em>A. variegatum</em> subsp. <em>variegatum</em> was also described for the first time. The nothospecies, <em>A</em>. x <em>pawlowskii</em> nothosp. nov., occurs in scattered localities in the Western Carpathians: in Poland (Beskid Niski, Tatras, Gorce Mts. and Babia Góra Mt.) and in Slovakia (Slovenské Rudohorie, Nizke Tatry Mts. and Muranska Planina Plateau), within the range of <em>A. variegatum</em> subsp. <em>variegatum</em>. The new (notho) taxa enable more precise shaping the geographical borders of both <em>A. lasiocarpum</em> subsp. <em>lasiocarpum</em> and <em>A. variegatum</em> subsp. <em>variegatum</em> in the Carpathians.

The Distribution of Antimony and Arsenic in Waters of the Dúbrava Abandoned Mine Site, Slovak Republic

The abandoned Dubrava Mine, situated in the northern part of the Nizke Tatry Mts in the middle of Slovakia, was the most significant producer of antimony (Sb) in the former Czechoslovakia. Mine drainage from adits (containing up to 9,300 μg/L of Sb), mine waste dumps, and the leachate from mine tailings contribute Sb and arsenic (As) into nearby Paludžanka Creek and groundwater. Some drinking water resources have been closed due to excessive Sb concentrations; the concentration of Sb in one household well (126 μg/L) far exceeds the Sb drinking water limit of 5 μg/L. Although Sb is attenuated by dilution and adsorption on ferric iron in stream sediment in the Paludžanka Creek, Sb concentrations increase downstream of the mine tailings and then remain almost constant, leading to concentrations of 128 μg/L at the northern boundary of the study area. The dissolved As concentrations in the mine drainage are much lower than Sb, ranging from 4 to 62 μg/L. Flow and transport modeling confirmed the observed contamination pattern and the major role of the mine adits. Results of this study indicate serious Sb contamination, which could be mitigated by treatment of the adit discharges.

Holocene history of Aconitum in the Polish Western Carpathians and adjacent regions: long-distance migrations or cryptic refugia?

Aconitum lasiocarpum (Rchb.) Gayer and A. variegatum L. are forest species with overlapped geographical ranges in the Beskid Niski and DoA‚y Jasielsko-Sanockie Depression (W. Carpathians). They form here a hybrid zone. The cytogenetic evidences based on the Giemsa C-banding in A. variegatum showed the same cytotype in the Silesian Upland and the Moravskoslezske Beskids, pointing to the role of the Moravian Gate in the migrations of plants from the Moravian glacial forest refugium. Another linked the MaA‚opolska Upland (Ojcow) with the two Carpathian regions, including the Pieniny Mts. The result points to the two hypothesis. Firstly, there existed glacial forest cryptic refugia in both regions, or the MaA‚opolska’s population is secondary in relation to the Pieniny Mts. ISSR analysis of A. moldavicum showed relationships between one of the MaA‚opolska’s population and the Podolian populations. The Holocene migrations of the species from the Beskid Niski to the MaA‚opolska region were also probable. The refugial character of the Pieniny Mts. was corroborated by their close relation to the relictual populations of A. moldavicum Hacq. from the Nizke Tatry.

Distribution of Doronicum clusii and D. stiriacum (Asteraceae) in the Alps and Carpathians

In the course of a taxonomic revision of the Doronicum clusii agg. (Asteraceae), we present an updated and commented distribution map of D. clusii (All.) Tausch and D. stiriacum (Vill.) Dalla Torre from the Alps and Carpathians, completed with information on biogeography and taxonomy. We show that D. stiriacum was erroneously indicated for the Carpathians south and southeast of the Rodna Mountains in Romania and for the Western Alps. In the Western Carpathians, it has only been rarely mentioned for the Nizke Tatry (Lower Tatras) and the Belianske Tatry (Bela Tatras) in Slovakia.

Tracing metamorphism, exhumation and topographic evolution in orogenic belts by multiple thermochronology: a case study from the Nízke Tatry Mts., Western Carpathians

A combination of four thermochronometers [zircon fission track (ZFT), zircon (U–Th)/He (ZHe), apatite fission track (AFT) and apatite (U–Th–[Sm])/He (AHe) dating methods] applied to a valley to ridge transect is used to resolve the issues of metamorphic, exhumation and topographic evolution of the Nizke Tatry Mts. in the Western Carpathians. The ZFT ages of 132.1 ± 8.3, 155.1 ± 12.9, 146.8 ± 8.6 and 144.9 ± 11.0 Ma show that Variscan crystalline basement of the Nizke Tatry Mts. was heated to temperatures >210°C during the Mesozoic and experienced a low-grade Alpine metamorphic overprint. ZHe and AFT ages, clustering at ~55–40 and ~45–40 Ma, respectively, revealed a rapid Eocene cooling event, documenting erosional and/or tectonic exhumation related to the collapse of the Carpathian orogenic wedge. This is the first evidence that exhumation of crystalline cores in the Western Carpathians took place in the Eocene and not in the Cretaceous as traditionally believed. Bimodal AFT length distributions, Early Miocene AHe ages and thermal modelling results suggest that the samples were heated to temperatures of ~55–90°C during Oligocene–Miocene times. This thermal event may be related either to the Oligocene/Miocene sedimentary burial, or Miocene magmatic activity and increased heat flow. This finding supports the concept of thermal instability of the Carpathian crystalline bodies during the post-Eocene period.

Diversity of subalpine and alpine vegetation of the eastern part of the Nízke Tatry Mts in Slovakia: major types and environmental gradients

Changes in composition and structure of alpine and subalpine plant communities in relation to ecological factors were analysed in the Nizke Tatry Mts, Slovakia. Species cover values of vascular and non-vascular plants in each vegetation plot were recorded on the nine-degree scale. A data set of 156 releves of alpine and subalpine vegetation was sampled recently during one year in the eastern part of the Nizke Tatry National Park. The data set was analysed by cluster analysis and Detrended Correspondence Analysis. analyses were carried out on the entire data set, including the subset of short grassland and dwarf-shrub vegetation. Major gradients and clusters were ecologically interpreted using Ellenberg indicator values. In the entire data set, the major gradient in species composition was associated with nutrient availability and the second most important gradient with light. In the case of short grassland and dwarf-shrub vegetation, the gradients were different. The first one was associated with soil reaction and the second gradient was associated with moisture. Clusters proposed by numerical classification reproduced many traditional phytosociological associations, namely Seslerietum distichae, Sphagno capillifolii-Empetretum nigri, Junco trifidi-Callunetum vulgaris, Juncetum trifidi, Dryopterido dilatatae-Pinetum mugo, Luzuletum obscurae, Agrostio pyrenaiceae-Nardetum strictae, while some other associations were less clearly differentiated (communities of the alliances Calamagrostion villosae, Adenostylion alliariae, Trisetion fusci, Cratoneuro filicini-Calthion laetae or Salicion herbaceae). The next clusters included Vaccinium and Festuca supina dominated communities and artificial roadside grasslands sown 50 years ago. Bryophytes and lichens were highly represented among diagnostic species of particular associations. Distribution pattern of particular plant communities was strongly influenced by site position either on northern or southern slope of the mountains.

Metasomatic replacement of inherited metamorphic monazite in a biotite-garnet granite from the Nizke Tatry Mountains, Western Carpathians, Slovakia: Chemical dating and evidence for disequilibrium melting

Granitoid monazite is a potential candidate for restitic origin because of its very low dissolution rates. A biotite-garnet granite (Nízke Tatry Mountains, Slovakia) contains monazite characterized by older, BSE-bright domains irregularly replaced by BSE-dark domains. They are interpreted as the result of late-magmatic replacement by a dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism. Garnet is mostly magmatic, with peritectic cores, and the granite is thought to have formed by biotite fluid-absent melting. Xenotime-monazite and garnet-biotite thermometry yield 600-650 °C at 400 MPa, for Yrich monazite, suggesting that equilibration took place in the presence of fluid. Chemical and textural relations enable the distinction of four types of monazite, which have been dated. Type I monazite, forming grain interiors, is Th-rich and overgrown by a lower-Th type II variety. Type III monazite has the lowest U and also overgrows the type I, whereas type IV monazite has the highest U (and Y) contents. U/Pb-Th/Pb isochrons reveal that, whereas monazite types I and III are older (355 ± 7 Ma), the age corresponding to the Variscan metamorphic peak, types II and IV are ca. 10 million years younger (346 ± 3 Ma, type IV). Monazite types I-III are considered to be inherited from a metamorphic protolith, whereas type IV is interpreted to be the age of the latest magmatism. Application of LREE and Zr diffusion coefficients to monazite and zircon indicates that the accessory restite assemblage observed is consistent with a short magma residence time (<500 years) during which monazite remained mostly intact, whereas zircon was partly dissolved.

Temporal trends (1990-2005) in heavy metal accumulation in mosses in Slovakia

Biomonitoring of multielement atmospheric deposition using terrestrial moss is a well-established technique in Europe. The moss samples of Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum sp. were collected in Slovakia. Separately we evaluated the atmospheric deposition in the National Parks (Vysoke Tatry, Nizke Tatry, Zapadne Tatry -Jelenec, Slovenský raj) and in a landscape protection area (Velka Fatra). In comparison to the median northern Norway values of heavy metal contents in moss, the Slovak atmospheric deposition loads of elements were found to be higher. The survey has been repeated and in this paper we report on the temporal trends in the concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, V and Zn between 1990 and 2005. Metal- and sites-specific temporal trends were observed. In general, the concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in mosses decreased between 1990 and 2005; the decline was higher for Pb than for Cd. The observed temporal trends for the concentrations in mosses were similar to the trends reported for the modelled total deposition of cadmium, lead and mercury in Europe. The level of elements, determined in bryophytes reflects the relative atmospheric deposition loads of elements at the investigated sites. Factor analysis was applied to determine possible sources of trace element deposition in the Slovakian mosses.

Eclarite and associated Bi sulfosalts from the Brezno-Hviezda occurrence (Nizke Tatry Mts, Slovak Republic)

Eclarite and associated Bi sulfosalts from the Brezno-Hviezda occurrence (Nizke Tatry Mts, Slovak Republic)

Differentiation among disjunct populations of agamospermous species ofHieraciumsectionCernua(Asteraceae) in Central European subalpine habitats

A morphological survey and assessment of genetic diversity using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) were applied to study the variability of two agamospermous species of Hieracium section Cernua R. Uechtr. characterized by disjunct, subalpine distributions: H. silesiacum (Western Carpathians and Eastern Sudetes) and H. vierhapperi (Western Carpathians and Eastern Alps). Contrasting patterns were revealed. In H. silesiacum, no genetic or morphological differences were found between its remote populations from the Sudetes and the Tatry mountains, suggesting a recent dispersal. In contrast, distinct morphological differentiation of population in the Nizke Tatry mountains was confirmed by high genetic differentiation; the analysis indicated independent origin of this population and gave grounds for taxonomic separation and description of a new species, H. austrotatricum. In H. vierhapperi, genetic differentiation and slight morphological difference (colour of achenes) was observed between disjunct populations from the Carpathians and the Alps. The data suggest long-term isolation of these populations resulting in pronounced independent history. High number of markers monomorphic for all populations supports the existing hypothesis of common sexual ancestors from H. section Cernua involved in the origin of these polyploid taxa. No or only minor morphological differentiation within the taxa indicates high stability of apomictic populations of Hieracium. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 93–105.

Hieracium vierhapperi (Asteraceae) a new species to the Carpathians, with some remarks on its origin

Hieracium vierhapperi (Zahn) Szeląg, known so far only from the Alps, was discovered in the Nizke Tatry Mts in Slovakia, as a new species to the Carpathians. Diagnostic characters, illustration and distribution as well as ecology of H. vierhapperi in the Nizke Tatry Mts are given. A key to distinguish H. vierhapperi from the morphologically related species is added. The Carpathian plants are tetraploid (2n = 36) and reproduce apomictically. The origin of H. sect. Cernua R. Uechtr in the Western Carpathians is briefly discussed.

Pb, Sr and Nd isotope study of two co-existing magmas in the Nízke Tatry Mountains, Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

Two co-existing plutonic rocks (diorite and granodiorite) were studied from an intrusion of Variscan age in the Raztocna Valley – Nizke Tatry Mountains, Western Carpathians. Geochemical analyses of major and trace elements constrain a volcanic arc as emplacement environment and give the first hints of a mixture of two magmatic end-members: the so-called Prasiva granodiorite and the Raztocna diorite. The 87Sr/86Sr(0) ratios vary between 0.7075 and 0.7118, the e Nd(0) values range from −1.4 to −5.0. Common Pb isotopes reveal a dominant crustal source with minor influences from a mantle and a lower crustal source.

Structure refinement of natural robinsonite, Pb4Sb6S13: cation distribution and modular description

Crystal structure of robinsonite from the locality Male Zelezne, Nizke Tatry Mountains, Slovakia, has been refined using single-crystal data (MoKa X-ray diffraction, CCD area detector) to the conventional R-factor: R 1 = 0.045. Robinsonite crystallizes in the space group 12/m, with a = 23.642(4), b = 3.9761(6), c = 24.420(4) A, β = 93.808(3)° and Z = 4. X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis resulted in comparable formulae, Pb 4 . 0 3 Sb 5 . 9 7 S 1 3 and Pb 3 . 9 3 Sb 5 . 7 7 S 1 3 , respectively, which are close to the ideal formula Pb 4 Sb 6 S 1 3 . Robinsonite is a member of a large family of rod-based sulphosalts, composed of rods of SnS (or TII) archetype. In robinsonite, two types of rods, respectively 2 and 3 Sb coordination pyramids broad, combine. Their arrangement results in two types of rod-layers, denoted according to their inter-rod connections as Type 1 and Type 4, respectively. In the former case, a tightly bonded double-layer continues from one rod into the other. In the latter, the rods are interconnected by the smallest possible fragment of SnS-like configuration that is rotated 90° in respect to the SnS-like (TIl-like) arrangement in the rod interiors. The mixed cation sites are the main characteristic of the robinsonite structure. The present study is the second one performed on natural robinsonite and the first in which all mixed positions are successfully refined. The mixed sites are concentrated in slabs parallel to [010]. The composition of these slabs can be explained by the necessity to match dimensions of the structure motifs across a noncommensurate interspace. Comparison with monoclinic boulangerite shows many similarities in distribution of mixed cation sites.

Geodynamic analysis of the Nizke Tatry mountains in West Carpathians based on remote sensing, geophysical and geomorphological data: Halmesova, S; Marusiakova, D; Pospisil, L; Holzer, R Proc 6th International Congress International Association of Engineering Geology, Amsterdam, 6–10 August 1990V2, P835–842. Publ Rotterdam: A A Balkema, 1990

Geodynamic analysis of the Nizke Tatry mountains in West Carpathians based on remote sensing, geophysical and geomorphological data: Halmesova, S; Marusiakova, D; Pospisil, L; Holzer, R Proc 6th International Congress International Association of Engineering Geology, Amsterdam, 6–10 August 1990V2, P835–842. Publ Rotterdam: A A Balkema, 1990

Deep-seated creep deformations in the crystalline cores of the tatry Mts

Deep-seated creep deformations of slopes attaining kilometres in dimensions occur quite often even in the metamorphosed rocks and granitoids forming the crystalline core of the Tatry and Nizke Tatry Mts. They have a form of gravitational folding and fan-like disintegration of mountain slopes. In both cases, however, a similar model of failure mechanism can be assumed on the basis of contractant-dilation behaviour of rock masses. To this model of deformation correspond well the geomorphological manifestations of 138 deformations we detected. These slope deformations can cause serious economic losses.