NW Hungary Research Articles

The investigation of ninth–eleventh century burials from Himod (NW Hungary)

AbstractThis study presents the results of a classic physical anthropological and paleopathological study of the early medieval human bone material from the Himod-Káposztáskertek site. A smaller part of the graves can be dated to the ninth century but the majority of graves dates to the tenth–eleventh century. Since the possibility of population continuity was raised, the archaeological data related to the question were also reviewed (with special emphasis on the typology of a knife found in Grave 68), with the intent of seeing whether the anthropological data supported this hypothesis. Both samples represent only a small number of cases and the remains are poorly preserved. The ninth century series especially provided very little data, ultimately making comparison impossible. The remains of 25 individuals were found in the Carolingian cemetery section: childburials number 15, the juvenile age group is not represented by any skeletons, there are ten adult burials (4 males, 5 females, 1 of undeterminable sex). The skeletons from 87 individuals were excavated from the tenth–eleventh century section of the cemetery, of which 25 were children, 5 were juveniles, and 57 were adults (29 males, 28 females). For both men and women, people of tall stature form the majority; male skulls are characterized by large absolute dimensions, mainly a broad forehead and a broad face. Fractures, degenerative changes of the spine and extravertebral joints (especially the elbow joint) were common. Tuberculosis infection was suspected in the case of one individual. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease with bilateral involvement and a rare developmental disorder, congenital scoliosis, occurred in the material as well.

Serpulid microbialitic bioherms from the upper Sarmatian (Middle Miocene) of the central Paratethys Sea (NW Hungary) – witnesses of a microbial sea

Abstract. We present previously unknown stacked bowl-shaped bioherms reaching a size of 45 cm in diameter and 40 cm in height from weakly solidified peloidal sand from the upper Sarmatian of the Paratethys Sea. The bioherms were mostly embedded in sediment, and the “growth stages” reflect a reaction on sediment accretion and sinking into the soft sediment. The bioherms are spirorbid–microclot–acicular cement boundstones with densely packed Janua tubes surrounded by microclots and acicular cement solidifying the bioherm. The surrounding sediment is a thrombolite made of peloids and polylobate particles (mesoclots) which are solidified synsedimentarily by micrite cement and dog-tooth cement in a later stage. The shape of the bioherms reflects a series of growth stages with an initial stage (“start-up stage”) followed by a more massive “keep-up stage” which grades into a structure with a collar-like outer rim and a central protrusion and finally by a termination of growth (“give-up stage”). The setting was a shallow subtidal environment with normal marine or elevated saline, probably oligotrophic, conditions with an elevated alkalinity. The stacked bowl-shaped microbialites are a unique feature that has so far been undescribed. Modern and Neogene microbialite occurrences are not direct analogues to the described structures, but the marine examples, like in The Bahamas, Shark Bay and the Persian Gulf, offer insight into their microbial composition and environmental parameters. The microbialites and the surrounding sediment document a predominance of microbial activity in the shallow marine environments of the Paratethys Sea during the late Middle Miocene, which was characterized by a warm, arid climate.

Mineralogical and geochemical changes in conglomerate reservoir rocks induced by CO2 influx at Mih\xe1lyi-R\xe9pcelak natural analogue, NW-Hungary

A temporary solution to massive anthropogenic CO2 emissions can be the capture of industrial CO2 from flue gas and sequestering it in geological formations. For safe and effective storage of CO2, interaction processes in the rock-pore fluid–CO2 system should be known. Investigation of natural CO2 accumulations provides valuable examples to what physical and chemical effects could be expected during CO2 influx at future CO2 storage sites. One of the key controlling factors of the processes occurring in natural CO2 reservoirs is the lithology of the storage rocks, which is primarily determined by the formation conditions of these rocks. In this respect, the lithologies of individual CO2 accumulation areas influence the processes between the host rock, the pore fluid, and the CO2 in different ways. In the current study, we focus on a well-studied natural CO2 storage reservoir, namely the Mihályi-Répcelak area, NW Hungary. We provide insight into the so far unstudied conglomerate reservoirs that represent a stratigraphically deeper reservoir unit with significantly different lithology and pore water compositions compared to the sandstone reservoirs. Our results indicate that dawsonite /NaAlCO3(OH)2/ formation also affected the conglomerate reservoirs, which indicates that at least part of the CO2 could be trapped in mineral form. An important role of salinity in reducing the CO2 mineral trapping capacity of the storage system is also demonstrated. Furthermore, H isotope analysis of diagenetic kaolinite was applied to trace the origin of the pore water that was present during the rock formation. Based on the data, dawsonite formation was induced by the flux of meteoric water that infiltrated during a warm and humid period and mixed with ascending CO2.

A regional Alpine graphite décollement level beneath the NW Pannonian Basin

The so-called Transdanubian Conductivity Anomaly (TCA) of the Hungarian part of the NW Pannonian Basin has been well known for more than five decades. The exceptionally low resistivity (i.e. 1–2 Ωm) zone has a very large areal extent (on the order a few thousand km2) and it is an entirely subsurface anomaly occurring at depth between circa 3–15 km, with no corresponding outcrops. Various geological explanations of this enigmatic crustal-scale geophysical anomaly range from invoking sub-horizontal Alpine nappe contacts to sub-vertical dikes with graphite and/or saline fluid content. Only one possible analogue outcrop area was considered for the high conductivity anomaly so far, namely the Drauzug/Gailtal area of the Eastern Alps in Austria, some 300 km to the West from the TCA area. Previous attempts to find correspondence between the TCA and prominent seismic reflectors seen on 2D seismic reflection profiles were based on data acquired by research institutions. This study systematically correlates, for the first time, the TCA with 2D industry seismic reflection data in the same area. Our new results show a very strong correlation between the subsurface extent and location of the TCA with various sub-horizontally oriented Cretaceous Alpine nappe surfaces. In addition, we draw on the latest structural correlation of the Alpine nappe stack of the Transdanubian Range with its proper tectonic counterpart in the Eastern Alps.At the southern edge of the Upper Austroalpine units in northern Styria, in the Veitsch Nappe of the Greywacke Zone, numerous graphite localities are known historically. These laterally extensive graphite units in NW Styria formed as the result of greenschist-grade metamorphism of a Carboniferous coal sequence during the Cretaceous. For the first time, we describe here one well penetration of possibly age-equivalent graphitic units in NW Hungary. Correlation of the magnetotelluric anomaly with the distinct reflection seismic signature suggests that the same Palaeozoic graphitebearing Upper Austroalpine units should be present at 3–15 km depth in our study area.Therefore we propose that the best explanation for the observed extent and geometry of the TCA is the presence of graphite in subhorizontal, tectonically thinned detachment surfaces at the base of the Upper Austroalpine nappe edifice of NW Hungary

Main Lessons from the Complex Study of Mihályi-Répcelak Natural Co2 Occurrence

Prediction of the fate of the injected CO2 in geological formations strongly relies on geochemical modeling, laboratory and field testing. However, all of these approaches have their major drawbacks, either being much too simplistic and/or out of realistic timescales (1–100 days vs. 100–1000 years) for deep subsurface storage. Natural CO2 occurrences provide an exceptional opportunity to study long-term behavior of the scCO2-porewater-reservoir rock system. Despite their complex geologic evolution, these occurrences have been used lately to identify CO2-related reaction features as well as to test and fine-tune geochemical models. The Mihalyi-Repcelak occurrence in NW Hungary, with core material available, not only provides a general insight into subsurface reaction processes related to CO2, but represents one of the largest deep saline aquifers in the Pannonian Basin, it also behaves as a natural laboratory for this potential Late Miocene saline reservoir. The multi-layered structure of the occurrence with separated hydrodynamic units enables the simultaneous analysis and the identification of reaction features both in the reservoirs and their sealing cap rocks providing a further step in understanding the long-term performance of storage complexes.

Environmental history of the Csorna Plain (Western Danube Plain, NW Hungary) from the Late Glacial to the Late Holocene as seen from data of multiproxy geoarchaeological investigations

This study presents the results of a comprehensive geoarchaeological study implemented at an archeological site covering ca. 5 ha near the city of Csorna on the NW part of the Danube Plain, NW Hungary. The site itself exposed a complex fluvial system of an ice age creek with near bank and overbank areas (levee, point bar, back swamp). Spatial distribution of archeological features allowed for the interpretation of differential use of the fluvial landscape by different cultures. According to our data, the referred fluvial system must have emerged during the Late Glacial. At this time, creeks originating from hills to the SE followed a uniform NW trajectory. From the Holocene, small creeks were beheaded turning into inactive flood channels. It was the time when the gradual infilling of the floodplain started. Alternating layers of floodwater coarses and floodplain fines mark recurring floods at our site. These could have been correlated with cooler, wetter climatic phases of the North Atlantic, Western Europe and high stands in Central European lakes. Highest floods are recorded during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages besides the Neolithic. Pollen data enabled us to make inferences on the vegetation as well.

Mid-Cretaceous/Albian (Cretaceous) ostracod assemblages from NW Hungary reflecting deep marine, nearshore and non-marine environments

The Albian sediments of the Transdanubian Range in Hungary were deposited in non-marine to fully-marine environments. The studied sections revealed diverse benthic ostracod faunas with moderately-preserved specimens. Forty-six taxa are identified and Cypridea zalanyii n. sp. is newly described. The detailed palaeoecological study of these ostracod faunas provided an opportunity to distinguish eight assemblages. The assemblages include limnic, brackish lagoon, shallow marine, reef and low oxygenated semi-enclosed basin environments in the Northern Tethys region we investigated. This work contributes to the knowledge about Albian non-marine faunas from Europe and explores ecological requirements of brackish faunas.

Preliminary study on the tolerance to human disturbance of Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in an active quarry in NW Hungary

Abstract Population of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) has been increasing in Europe including Hungary. The species occupy new habitats beside its ancient territories including quarries and buildings. This may result in conflicting conservation and economic interests in active quarries. Because eagle owls are strictly protected in Hungary, human activities around known nest sites require environmental permits. We aimed to obtain information on Eagle Owl behaviour in an operating quarry by tracking an adult female to base a future species-specific guideline to issue environmental permits for mining in quarries. We used a combined GPS-GSM and VHF telemetry. We found that the tracked female did not breed in the study year but remained in her home range during the study period. By studying her seasonal and daily patterns of movements, we found that she was not disturbed by regular human activities under the nesting cliff, but she was more sensitive to unexpected non-regular disturbance. Based on the satellite-tracking data, this specimen used an approximately 18 km2 home range during the study period.

Assessment of the interaction between surface- and groundwater after the diversion of the inner delta of the River Danube (Hungary) using multivariate statistics

Anthropogenic activity such as damming or diversion of rivers cause extensive disturbance to ecosystems, as well as the interaction between surface water and groundwater. Following the diversion in 1992 of the River Danube (NW Hungary) and the construction of a water barrage system, the level of shallow groundwater dropped and altered the connection between surface water and groundwater. This paper outlines the changes in the interaction of surface water and shallow groundwater and other related environmental consequences caused by an 80% decrease in runoff resulting from this intervention. Time series (1996–2004) of 27 water quality variables measured from three surface- and three subsurface sampling sites were analyzed using periodicity-, hierarchical cluster- and principal component analyses. It was found that: (i) the degree of riverbed clogging increased due to diminished runoff; this clogging blocked the interaction between surface water and groundwater at certain sampling sites; (ii) extreme floods were capable of resetting this situation and changing the flow currents to differing degrees in the surface/groundwaters. These findings enabled a better understanding of the changes in water quality primarily attributable to the diversion of the river (the change in water level, riverbed clogging etc.). The changed hydrological setting of the subject area became very similar to that which might be expected to evolve due to climate change around the world. Thus, the study not only serves as an example for the processes evolving (e.g. riverbed clogging) in similarly modified river sections, but to those as well, which are expected to suffer from aridification.

Intraplate volcanism in the Danube Basin of NW Hungary: 3D geophysical modelling of the Late Miocene Pásztori volcano

Three-dimensional geophysical modelling of the early Late Miocene Pasztori volcano (ca. 11–10 Ma) and adjacent area in the Little Hungarian Plain Volcanic Field of the Danube Basin was carried out to get an insight into the most prominent intra-crustal structures here. We have used gridded gravity and magnetic data, interpreted seismic reflection sections and borehole data combined with re-evaluated geological constraints. Based on petrological analysis of core samples from available six exploration boreholes, the volcanic rocks consist of a series of alkaline trachytic and trachyandesitic volcanoclastic and effusive rocks. The measured magnetic susceptibilities of these samples are generally very low suggesting a deeper magnetic source. The age of the modelled Pasztori volcano, buried beneath a 2 km-thick Late Miocene-to-Quaternary sedimentary sequence, is 10.4 +/− 0.3 Ma belonging to the dominantly normal C5 chron. Our model includes crustal domains with different effective induced magnetizations and densities: uppermost 0.3–1.8 km thick layer of volcanoclastics underlain by a trachytic-trachyandesitic coherent and volcanoclastic rock units of a maximum 2 km thickness, with a top situated at minimal depth of 2.3 km, and a deeper magmatic pluton in a depth range of 5–15 km. The 3D model of the Danube Basin is consistent with observed high ΔZ magnetic anomalies above the volcano, while the observed Bouguer gravity anomalies correlate better with the crystalline basement depth. Our analysis contributes to deeper understanding of the crustal architecture and the evolution of the basin accompanied by alkaline intraplate volcanism.

A new Upper Oligocene flora from Tarján (Gerecse Mts, NW Hungary)

A new Upper Oligocene flora from Tarján (Gerecse Mts, NW Hungary)

Adatok a színes békaszőlő (Potamogeton coloratus) hazai előfordulásához

Az európai elterjedésű színes békaszőlő (Potamogeton coloratus) a földrész egyik ritka és veszélyeztetett faja. Hazánkban korábbi adatai főként termálvizes és karsztvizes források kifolyóiból származnak. A bauxitbányászat következtében ezek a Dunántúli-középhegység peremén lévő források elapadtak, a faj a 20. század utolsó évtizedeire eltűnt Magyarországról. A bányászat felhagyását követően a karsztvizek a legtöbb helyen újra felszínre törtek és a faj a korábbi élőhelyein ismét megjelent. A növényt1999 és 2016 között 18 lelőhelyről sikerült újra kimutatni, ezek jelentős részén már az 1900-as évek elején és közepén is gyűjtötték. A színes békaszőlő legtöbb előfordulása a karsztforrásokból került elő, de ezek környékén mesterséges és természetes tavakban is megtalálható.

The relevance of dawsonite precipitation in CO 2 sequestration in the Mihályi-Répcelak area, NW Hungary

Abstract A natural CO 2 reservoir system with a sandstone lithology in NW Hungary has been studied due to its similarities to a large saline reservoir formation that is widespread in the the Pannonian Basin (Central Europe) and is suggested to be one of the best candidates for industrial CO 2 storage. A range of analytical techniques has been used on core samples from CO 2 -containing sandstone layers that represent a wide range of pressures (90–155 bar), temperatures (79–95°C) and pore fluid compositions (total dissolved solids between 18 000 and 50 700 mg l −1 ) to identify the mineralogy and textural characteristics of the natural reservoir. The only clear CO 2 -related feature in the studied lithology was the occurrence of dawsonite (NaAlCO 3 (OH) 2 ) in a close textural relationship with albite. This is in clear agreement with our geochemical modelling results, which also underline the presence of albite as a precondition for the crystallization of dawsonite at the given P – T – X conditions. Our results suggest that, at least in the Pannonian Basin, dawsonite may be an important mineral for the safe sequestration of industrial CO 2 in the subsurface.

A fish otolith assemblage from the Late Miocene (Pannonian) deposits of Lake Pannon (Doba, NW Hungary)

A fish otolith assemblage consisting of 173 specimens was recovered from littoral sand deposits of the brackish Lake Pannon at Doba, western Hungary. Co-occurring endemic mollusks indicate the Lymnocardium ponticum Zone, thus an age of about 9 million years (Late Miocene) can be assumed. Most of the investigated otoliths belong to the family Sciaenidae. The otoliths are assigned to 6 taxa: Umbrina cirrhosoides, Umbrina aff. cirrosa, Umbrina sp., “genus aff. Umbrina” kokeni, Morone kuehni?, Gadidae indet. This otolith assemblage does not represent the ancient fish fauna of Lake Pannon, because the common prey fish (gobiids) have not been identified. Generally, the Pannonian fish fauna is characterized by a high number of sciaenid otoliths which indicate a shallow estuarine environment. The fish fauna from Doba is a unique otolith assemblage due to the co-occurrence of several Umbrina species.

Two newSorbus(Rosaceae) species from the Bakony Mts, Hungary

Two new species of the genus Sorbus are described from Hungary, illustrations and their distributions are presented. Both belong to nothosubgenus Tormaria (Sorbus latifolia group), putative hybridogenous apomictic species originated from a cross between a member of S. aria group and S. torminalis and occur sympatrically in dolomite slopes of the Bakony Mts (NW Hungary). One of them S. barabitsii is a stenoendemic species to the hill Malom-hegy above villages Márkó and Bánd where it grows in mixed forests of scree rocky slopes (Primulo veris-Tilietum) and in mixed karstic forests (Fago-Ornetum) of the north-facing slopes accompanied by other Sorbus species, such us S. aria, S. danubialis, S. graeca, S. pannonica, S. torminalis, as well as the local endemism S. veszpremensis. Population of the other species S. polgariana occurs in the valley Burok-völgy nearby town Várpalota (Királyszállás), where the majority of the individuals grow in mixed karstic forests (Fago-Ornetum), rocky beech forests (Daphno laureolae-Fagetum) and in the margin of closed thermophilous oak woodlands (Vicio sparsiflorae-Quercetum pubescentis) as well. This species grows sympatrically with Sorbus aria, S. danubialis, S. graeca, S. pannonica, S. redliana and S. torminalis.

Scolochloa festucacea (Poaceae)in Hungary

Király, G.: Scolochloa festucacea (Poaceae) in Hungary. — Willdenowia 35: 259–263. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2005 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.35.35205 (available via http//dx.doi.org/)The discovery of the circumboreal grass Scolochloa festucacea in Hungary, which is also its first known locality in the entire Carpathian Basin, is documented. Only one population was found, near Földsziget in the western fen basin of the Hanság region in NW Hungary. The locality, where it grows as a dominant, stand-forming species in an area of c. 10 hectare, is one of the low elevation refugia of the boreal flora in Central Europe, indicating the relict character of its Hungarian occurrence.

The Büdöskút Olistolith, an exotic limestone block from the Bükk mountains (NE-Hungary)

The present paper presents results of stratigraphical, sedimentological and micropalaeontological investigations of an olistolith from the Budoskut area in the Bukk Mts (NW Hungary). The olistolith consists of Norian sub- and peritidal platform carbonates (Budoskut lime-stone). During early diagenesis dissolution cavities originated which where filled by ostracodal mudstones. Other cavities first were wallpapered by evinospongial crusts and later filled either by ostracodal mudstones or by brick-red haematitic material (weathered bauxite). The evinospongial crusts show stromatolite-like structures and their forming therefore is supposed to be organically (microbially) induced.

Lichen mapping in Komárom, nw Hungary

For air pollution lichen mapping of Komárom (NW Hungary) 50 liches taxa were collected at 84 sites between October 1997 and April 1999. Except for 3 species (Caloplaca decipiens, Evernia prunastasi, Physca tenella) all are new for investigated area, as it was lichenologically poorly known before. The occurrence of the most frequent species (Amandinea punctata, Lecanora hagenii, Phaeophyscia orbicularis, Physcia adscendens, P. tenella, Xanthoria perietina) correlates with the dominating dust pollution. Two different zones can be distinguished on the basis of the lichen flora. These are situated in the highly built-upo central and in the surrounding areas.

Statistical and analytical study of the propagation of flood-induced groundwater rise in an alluvial aquifer

The propagation of stage rises of the river Danube in an adjoining alluvial aquifer (Kisalfold, NW Hungary) has been studied by preparing a map which shows the lag times corresponding to maximum correlation values between the hydrographs of groundwater observation wells and the river stages. As expected, the lag times for the unconfined aquifer generally exceed those for the semi-confined part. The complex pattern suggests that other rivers in the area also play a role and that transmissivities and resistances of a cover layer are not sufficiently well known, despite the presence of a relatively dense network of bore holes. A systematic increase of the lag times with the distance from the river was noted at two sections. Nine flood events have been selected to study how well observed head rises could be predicted using equations for the calculation of the propagation of the head for phreatic and for confined conditions. The results suggest that the water levels in the complex flood plain and the river bed conductance of silted up branches during the rise of the flood play an important role.

Low- to high-amplitude oscillations and secular variation in a 1.2 km late Miocene inclination record

A Miocene section of 2 km thickness was continuously cored near Szombathely, NW Hungary. A detailed magnetostratigraphic study has been integrated with results of lithologic, sedimentologic, and paleontologic studies. Progressive alternating field (a.f.) and thermal demagnetization, and rock magnetic and mineralogic studies indicate that the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) resides in magnetite and the strata contain only minor secondary magnetizations. Major polarity zones have been defined by inclinations and correlated with the geomagnetic polarity time scale for the interval 10-9 Ma. Inclinations for samples collected at 1 2 m intervals display fine-scale oscillations representing secular variation with period times of 400–700 years. Fluctuating amplitudes of oscillation range from low (less than 10° peak-to-peak) to high (more than 40°), reflecting apparently varying stabilities of the geomagnetic field. Additionally, amplitudes of oscillation progress from low to high, and return to low, forming oscillation cycles with a periodicity of 6.2 ± 1.8 kyr. The oscillations and boundaries of oscillation cycles are generally unrelated to lithology and stratigraphy. Many oscillation cycles appear to be incomplete and ‘interrupted’ by high-level oscillations. Some incomplete cycles appear to arise from brief interruptions to the depositional record, whereas other interruptions may irregularly arise from a separate component of the geomagnetic field.