Podhale Basin Research Articles

Malacological indicators of anthropogenic and natural environmental changes of the Podhale Basin during the last 2000 years. Studies in the Rogoźnik Stream valley (the Carpathian Mountains, Southern Poland)

The lithological and malacological studies covered sediments forming the low terrace of the Rogoźnik Stream in the northwest part of the Podhale Basin. This terrace is characterised by a uniform structure within a significant part of the valley. Three layers of gravel and four layers of sandy and silty muds were found there. A rich and diversified malacofauna was discovered in fine-grained sediments. Its analysis allowed us to characterise environmental conditions during sediment deposition. The age of the individual components of the sedimentary sequence was determined by radiocarbon dating. A distinct change was found in the upper intervals of the sequence, corresponding to the warm phase of the Medieval Climate Optimum. This period is associated with the robust development of agriculture, and processes related to human activities became the main factor shaping the environment, influencing the course of geological processes, and changing the taxonomical and ecological structure of the fauna and flora assemblages found in this area.

Influence of fluid flows on low-temperature thermochronology: An example from the Podhale Basin, Internal Western Carpathians, Poland

Influence of fluid flows on low-temperature thermochronology: An example from the Podhale Basin, Internal Western Carpathians, Poland

Application of malacological analysis to reconstruction of regional and local environmental changes: the Cisowa Skała locality (the Carpathians, southern Poland)

An isolated limestone hill (Cisowa Skała), located in the Podhale Basin in southern Poland, has yielded mollusc shells and small vertebrate bones in deposits filling small karst forms such as rock shelters, characteristic molluscan assemblages can be identified, the succession of which reflects changes in the environment and also microhabitat variations depending on local factors, such as slope exposure and type of vegetation. These local factors markedly affect regional environmental trends determined primarily by climate change and, during the last several hundred years, also by human activity. Such malacological analysis enables effective palaeogeographical reconstructions, both on the scale of geographical regions and for microhabitats.

Scale dependence of textural alignment in shales quantified using electron microscopy

Textural alignment is the primary cause of anisotropy associated with the permeability and mechanical and acoustic properties of rocks. Although particle alignment in shales is known to be influenced by burial depth, mineralogical composition, and diagenetic history, understanding how these influence image-based measures of compaction at the micrometer to nanometer scale is not well understood. Here, we use a novel method, which combines scanning electron microscopy and image analysis algorithms, to quantify clay alignment in sedimentary rocks. For a given field of view, the alignment intensity in shales from the Podhale Basin in Poland is positively correlated with clay content based on image analysis. However, our analysis also shows that the intensity is strongly dependent on the spatial scale of imaging: as magnification increases and the field of view in the SEM images decreases, the alignment intensity drops. Therefore, in images with small fields of view, clay alignment is determined by the presence of localized equant silicate mineral grains, which effectively hinder the alignment process at the micrometer scale. By contrast, in images with larger fields of view, alignment intensity is determined by the overall compaction state. We also show that when the field of view is constant, alignment intensity decreases with pixel density, and we suggest a range of operating parameters required for obtaining optimum values for alignment intensity from SEM images of shales.

Physicochemical Composition Variability and Hydraulic Conditions in a Geothermal Borehole—The Latest Study in Podhale Basin, Poland

In deep geothermal boreholes, an effect of temperature (so-called thermal lift) is observed, which results in the volumetric expansion of the fluid extracted. This process results in increased wellhead pressure values being recorded; in the absence of an appropriate correction, hydraulic properties of the reservoir layer cannot be properly determined. As an example of this effect, the Chochołów PIG-1 (CH PIG-1) geothermal borehole situated in Podhale Basin in Poland was used. Hydrodynamic tests including two pumping phases were carried out in the well in order to establish the basic hydraulic properties related to the determination of its operational resources (maximum water extraction value–capacity) and permissible groundwater level. Particular attention was paid to the thermal lift effect in the borehole. The conductivity, which depends on the pumping level, could be two to three times higher with temperature correction than results without any correction. The goal was to analyse the variability of the observed physiochemical properties of the exploited geothermal waters and to determine the correlation between the properties analysed and the temperature of the geothermal water. For the relationship between temperature and the observed pressure at the wellhead, the value of the correlation coefficient was negative (a negative linear relationship was determined), which means that as the temperature increases, the wellhead pressure decreases. The hydrodynamic tests carried out in the CH PIG-1 borehole and the analysis of variability of selected ions and parameters in exploited water were necessary to assess the possibility of increasing the efficiency (Q) of the CH PIG-1 borehole and to determine the water quality and its natural variability. Such information is crucial for the functioning of the recreational complex based on the use of geothermal water. A study of the phenomena affecting the exploitation of hot water from deep boreholes enables their effective exploitation and the use of resources in accordance with the expectations of investors.

Amber and organic matter from the late Oligocene deep-water deposits of the Central Western Carpathians (Orava–Podhale Basin)

The occurrence of amber in the Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin is reported here for the first time. The amber has been analyzed by means of optical microscopic methods, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to understand the amber composition, origin, taphonomy, alteration, and diagenesis. Organic petrographic and reflectance analyses of organic matter from amber-bearing sediment was carried out to get information about paleoenvironment and maturity of sedimentary rock.Analyses confirmed polylabdane structure associated with Class Ib -type of amber and its possible origin from the conifer family Araucariaceae. It is characterized by a high degree of maturity, where both temperature and exogenic processes have participated in its conversion. Heterogeneity of reflectance values in the resinite suggests that amber was not redeposited from an older and more mature sedimentary unit. The discrepancy between the maturity of the amber and amber-bearing sedimentary rock, along with abundant char and inertinite macerals indicates a probability of thermal alteration of the amber under the influence of heat from a wildfire and increased maturity occurring before its ultimate burial in a deep-sea environment. The assemblage of terrigenous macerals and numerous char and inertinite particles which were found in amber-bearing sediment, as well as in the amber crust, suggest forest-swamp type vegetation affected by wildfires. The presence of amber and predominantly terrigenous organic matter, besides mud rip-up clasts derived from freshwater sediments in deep-marine deposits, indicates a direct connection of terrestrial environments to the deep-water depositional system.

The quality of geothermal reservoir of the Lower Jurassic aquifer in the Mogilno-Łódź Trough (Polish Lowlands)

The assessment of the geothermal potential should always take an accurate identification of the geological conditions into account. Petrographic and petrophysical investigations of the aquifers allow to estimate their productivity and infectivity. The area of the Mogilno-Łódź Trough is next to the Podhale basin, one of the most prospective regions in terms of geothermal potential in Poland. The Lower Jurassic aquifers are characterized by the largest dispositional resources among geothermal aquifers in the Polish Lowlands. The Lower Jurassic geothermal reservoir consist of fine and mixed grain-size sands and sandstones layers from 10-650 m thick, depending on the depth. The water within the reservoir exhibits mineralization ranging from 2 to over 250 g/L and its temperature ranges from 30 to 100°C. Boreholes profiles selected for study consist Lower Jurassic formations of the Polish Lowlands, which are perspective for the heat production in Poland. Sandstones are represent mainly by quartz arenites and subordinate by quartz wackes. Parameters measured include among others porosity, permeability and surface area. The results of the petrographic and mineralogical studies of core samples confirmed the presence of rock with favorable parameters for geothermal water accumulation.

„Depositional setting of the Oligocene sequence of the Western Carpathians in the Polish Spisz region – a reinterpretation based on integrated palynofacies and sedimentological analyses” – Reply

The research on the Oligocene succession of the Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin (CCPB) in the Kacwin region focused on sedimentological and palynofacies analyses. Observations were carried out in natural exposures along three streams flowing in the Polish Spisz: Kacwinianka, Łapszanka and Kacwinski. Three main groups of lithofacies have been distinguished: coarse-grained, mixed and sandy-grained, and fine-grained. The lithofacies are characterized by variable sedimentary structures, e.g. massive structure, horizontal lamination, ripple cross-lamination, hummocky cross-stratification, deformation structure. Sedimentological analyses showed that structures typical for turbidity currents and those characteristic of relatively shallow deposition (HCS, wave ripples) could coexist in the investigated succession interpreted as typical for turbidity currents influenced by storm waves. This indicates relatively shallow-water environments. The palynofacies analysis enabled identification of the following components: black wood, brown wood, cortex, resin, sporomorphs, cuticle, algae, dinoflagellates and AOM. A high proportion of black wood and low diversity of components point to an origin related to turbidity currents. Furthermore, results of the palynofacies analysis have allowed determining that, during the deposition of the CCPB sediments in the Polish Spisz area, the distance between the deposition area and the source area became relatively large. The biostratigraphic analysis of dinoflagellate cysts from the Podhale Basin (Szaflary, Zakopane, and lower Chocholow beds) indicates an Early Rupelian age. Moreover, kerogen analysis in the UV was applied for the first time to study the CCPB succession. As a result, reworking was documented, so far unrecognized by other methods, and the mutual verification of the obtained results was possible

Perspectives of geothermal water use in the Podhale Basin according to geothermal step distribution

At present, hydro-geothermal resources in which waters in bores are the carrier of heat energy have commercial importance in Poland. Geothermal waters should feature the highest possible temperature in the outflow, low mineral content, high capacity and low deposit depth. Even though geothermal energy is included in renewable sources of energy, complete depletion of the deposit is the largest risk in extracting geothermal waters. This is why these waters should also feature deposit renewability. There are currently several geothermal provinces with beneficial geothermal conditions in Poland, with the area of the Podhale Basin in the Inner Carpathians region being regarded as the most promising. The Podhale deposit also meets all of the above listed conditions. The possibility of using hydrothermal energy in Poland is practically available throughout the country, but operational use of hot groundwater must be profitable for investors. From another point of view, the environmental impact of such investments should be minimized. This paper is concerned with the special variety of temperature of geothermal waters extracted in the area of the Podhale Basin, which is the basic aspect in using deposits of this type.

Late diagenesis of illite-smectite in the Podhale Basin, southern Poland: Chemistry, morphology, and preferred orientation

Well-characterized samples from the Podhale Basin, southern Poland, formed the basis for exploring and illuminating subtle diagenetic changes to a mudstone toward the upper end of the diagenetic window, prior to metamorphism.Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) performed on dispersed grains and ion-beam thinned preparations, selected area diffraction patterns,and chemistry by TEM-EDS (energy dispersive spectra) augmented mineralogy and fabric data. The deepest samples show no change in their percent illite in illite-smectite (I-S), yet I-S–phase octahedral Fe3+ and Al3+ are statistically different between samples. A decrease in the Fe3+ concentration in the octahedral sheet correlates with an increase in I-S fabric intensity and apparent crystallinity. The D-statistic from the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test on TEM- EDS data describes statistical differences in the I-S chemistry. Previous work on these samples showed a significant increase in the preferred orientation of the I-S phase across the smectite to illite transition and a significant slowdown in the rate of development of preferred orientation beyond the termination of smectite illitization. Lattice fringe images describe an I-S morphology that coalesces into larger and tighter packets with increasing burial temperature and a decrease in I-S packet contact angle, yet some evidence for smectite collapse structures is retained. The deepest sample shows the thickest, most coherent I-S packets. We propose that the deepest samples in the Podhale Basin describe the precursor stage in phyllosilicate fabric preferred orientation increase from diagenesis into metamorphism, where continued evolution of crystallite packets and associated crystallinity create higher I-S fabric intensities as the structural formulae of I-S approach an end-member composition.

Distal turbidite fan/lobe succession of the Late Oligocene Zuberec Fm. – architecture and hierarchy (Central Western Carpathians, Orava–Podhale basin)

AbstractA part of the Upper Oligocene sand-rich turbidite systems of the Central Carpathian Basin is represented by the Zuberec Formation. Sand/mud-mixed deposits of this formation are well exposed in the northern part of the basin, allowing us to interpret the turbidite succession as terminal lobe deposits of a submarine fan. This interpretation is based on the discrimination of three facies associations that are comparable to different components of distributive lobe deposits in deep-water fan systems. They correspond to the lobe off-axis, lobe fringe and lobe distal fringe depositional subenvironments, respectively. The inferences about the depositional paleoenvironment based on sedimentological observations are verified by statistical analyses. The bed-thickness frequency distributions and vertical organization of the facies associations show cyclic trends at different hierarchical levels that enable us to reconstruct architectural elements of a turbidite fan. First, small-scale trends correspond with shift in the lobe element centroid between successive elements. Differences in the distribution and frequency of sandstone bed thicknesses as well as differences in the shape of bed-thickness frequency distributions between individual facies associations reflect a gradual fining and thinning in a down-dip direction. Second, meso-scale trends are identified within lobes and they generally correspond to the significant periodicity identified by the time series analysis of the bed thicknesses. The meso-scale trends demonstrate shifts in the position of the lobe centroid within the lobe system. Both types of trends have a character of a compensational stacking pattern and could be linked to autogenic processes. Third, a largescale trend documented by generally thickening-upward stacking pattern of beds, accompanied by a general increase of the sandstones/mudstones ratio and by a gradual change of percentage of individual facies, could be comparable to lobe-system scale. This trend probably indicates a gradual basinward progradation of lobe system controlled by allogenic processes related to tectonic activity of sources and sea-level fluctuations.

The geotourist potential of the Bialka River valley (in the Podhale Basin) – a project of a geotourist trail

The Bialka valley is located in southern Poland. The middle part of the valley is build-up of the Paleogene Podhale Flysch. In common opinion, this region is not particularly attractive in respect to geotourism. To prove that it is not true, I proposed the project of geotourist trail in this area. The trail comprises 5 geosites, where the most attractive objects (according tothe author) will be presented. These include calcareous tufa in Jurgow (first geosite), faults in the Bukowinska Grapa (second geosite), where pronounced effects of lateral erosion are evident, which lead to the shifting of the river bed. At this geosite there are also visible joints systems in sandstones (third geosite) and the sandstones show various types of lamination. At the fourth geosite, there occur clear neotectonic features revealed by granite boulders deposited several meters above the contemporary riverbed. Finally, at the fifth geosite, one can examine the thermal pools, which are examples of favorable geological conditions utilized for recreational purposes.//Dolina Bialki znajduje sie w poludniowej Polsce. Jej środkowa cześc zbudowana jest z paleogenskiego fliszu podhalanskiego. Ogolnie uwaza sie, ze obszar zbudowany z tych skal nie jest szczegolnie atrakcyjny pod wzgledem geoturystycznym. Aby udowodnic, ze jest inaczej, zaproponowano projekt ściezki geoturystycznej. Ściezka sklada sie z pieciu najciekawszych (wedlug autora) stanowisk. Skladają sie na nie kolejno martwice wapienne w Jurgowie (pierwsze stanowisko), uskoki w obrebie Bukowinskiej Grapy (drugie stanowisko), a takze miejsce wyraźnej, lateralnej erozji bocznej, ktora prowadzi do przesuwania sie koryta. Wyraźnie odsloniete są tutaj lawice piaskowcow o roznej laminacji, poprzecinane spekaniami ciosowymi (trzecie stanowisko). Na czwartym stanowisku widoczne są wyraźne dowody na zachodzące tutaj ruchy neotektoniczne (otoczaki granitowe wyniesione kilkanaście metrow nad poziom obecnego koryta), a na ostatnim, piątym stanowisku znajdują sie baseny termalne, ktore są znakomitym przykladem wykorzystania sprzyjającej budowy geologicznej do celow gospodarczych.

The application of malacological analysis in the study of slope deposits: late Pleistocene and Holocene of the Podhale Basin (Carpathians, Poland)

Abstract Slope deposits developed on calcareous sandstone and limestone formations in the eastern part of the Podhale Basin (Carpathians) were studied. In total, the analysis included fifteen profiles of such sediments, which revealed the presence of abundant malacofaunas comprising 39 mollusc species. Five faunistic assemblages differing in species composition and structure were defined in the material studied. Individual assemblages correspond to different climatic and environmental conditions, thereby making it possible to interpret the features of the sedimentary environments and specify the age of the deposits. Faunas with Pupilla loessica and Pupilla sterri containing species typical of loess formations are characteristic of deposits from the coldest phase of the last Glacial period (MIS 2). A fauna with Vertigo genesii, with a large proportion of cold-loving and moisture-loving taxa, is typical of the Younger Dryas. Associations that are dominated by shade-loving species, with Discus ruderatus and Discus perspectivus, correspond to the early and middle Holocene respectively. The investigations show that malacological analysis can be successfully applied to the research into slope deposits, enabling both the depositional conditions and the age of the sediments to be determined.

Calcareous nannofossils and foraminifera from the youngest deposits of the Siary Subunit (Oligocene, Magura Nappe, Polish Outer Carpathians)

The calcareous nannoplankton and foraminifera from the Gladyszow Beds, regarded as the youngest deposits in the northern marginal Siary Subunit of the Magura Nappe in Poland, are characterized. The material investigated comes from outcrops in the vicinity of Gladyszow and from the Gladyszow PIG-1 borehole. The analysis allowed the establishment of the age of these deposits as not older than late Rupelian–early Chattian (the calcareous nannoplankton NP24 Zone). The taxonomic affiliations, environmental associations and preservation of the microfossils were analyzed to document the sedimentary processes and environmental conditions during the geotectonic transformation of the Magura Basin in the Oligocene. These microfossils also were compared with those reported from the terminal deposits of the Outer Carpathians and the Podhale Basin.

Changes to the environment of intramontane basins in the light of malacological research of calcareous tufa: Podhale Basin (Carpathians, Southern Poland)

The profiles of calcareous tufa occurring in the Podhale Basin (Carpathians, Southern Poland) were subject to a detailed malacological analysis. Studies were carried out in 15 sites. Five of them represent the period of the Late Glacial and Holocene, and the remainder is tufa deposited during historical times. On the basis of malacological analysis, 10 faunistic assemblages were defined. Each developed under specific environmental and climatic conditions. The observed sequences of molluscan assemblages in vertical profiles were the basis for paleoenvironmental reconstruction, determining the main phases of climatic changes and the human impact on the natural environment. The faunal sequence observed indicates a cold climate and the predominance of open habitats in the Late Glacial, with progressing warming and the increasing significance of shaded habitats in the Early and Middle Holocene, as well as anthropogenic pressure in modern times. The results of malacological analysis were complemented with determination of the age of deposits by radiocarbon dating and the results of palynological analyses conducted in the sites of peatbogs occurring in Podhale. The reconstruction indicates similarities and differences in the paleogeographic development of mountain and upland areas of Central Europe.

Thermal history of the Podhale Basin in the internal Western Carpathians from the perspective of apatite fission track analyses

Abstract The thermal history of the Paleogene Podhale Basin was studied by the apatite fission track (AFT) method. Twenty four Eocene-Oligocene sandstone samples yielded apparent ages from 13.8 ± 1.6 to 6.1 ± 1.4 Ma that are significantly younger than their stratigraphic age and thus point to a post-depositional resetting. The thermal event responsible for the age resetting is interpreted as a combination of heating associated with mid-Miocene volcanism and variable thickness of Oligocene and potentially also Miocene sediments. Extending the mid-Miocene thermal event found in the Inner Carpathians into the Podhale Basin as a likely heat source suggests that the amount of denudation in the Podhale Basin determined only on the basis of heat related to the thickness of sedimentary sequence might have be significantly overestimated. Two samples from the western part of the basin that yielded 31.0 ± 4.3 and 26.9 ± 4.7 Ma are interpreted as having mixed ages resulting from partial resetting in temperature conditions within the AFT partial annealing zone. This observation agrees very well with reported vitrinite reflectance and illite-smectite thermometry, which indicate a systematic drop of the maximum paleotemperatures towards the western side of the basin.

Cooled and desalinated thermal water utilization in the Podhale heating system

Streszczenie Woda obiegowa w instalacjach ciepłowniczych musi posiadać odpowiednie parametry fizykochemiczne, uzależnione od wymagań technicznych producentów urządzeń, przez które przypływa. Nie powinna powodować powstawania kamienia kotłowego, pienić się oraz korozyjnie oddziaływać na elementy instalacji. W pracy przedstawiono badania dotyczące oceny możliwości wykorzystania odpadowych wód termalnych w celu uzupełnienia ubytków wody sieciowej w największym polskim geotermalnym systemie ciepłowniczym zlokalizowanym w obrębie niecki podhalańskiej. Obszar ten cechuje się dużymi zasobami wód termalnych, a jednocześnie deficytem wód zwykłych. Odpadowe wody termalne ze względu na wykazywane parametry fizykochemiczne mogą być wykorzystane w systemie dopiero po uzdatnieniu. Podczas badań zagospodarowana i uzdatniana była jedynie część całkowitego strumienia wody geotermalnej (do 5 m3/h), odpowiadająca mniej więcej zapotrzebowaniu systemu ciepłowniczego na świeżą uzdatnioną wodę obiegową (ok. 550 m3/miesiąc). Ubytki wody sieciowej wynikają z nieszczelności sieci, prowadzenia remontów, modernizacji lub obsługi sieci. Oczyszczanie przeprowadzone zostało z wykorzystaniem procesów membranowych w zintegrowanym systemie złożonym z ultrafiltracji (UF) i dwóch niezależnych stopni odwróconej osmozy (RO-1 i RO-2) połączonych szeregowo. Uzdatnianie prowadzone było przy częściowym wykorzystaniu artezyjskiego ciśnienia złożowego, co pozwoliło zredukować moc pomp obiegowych eliminując zużycie energii o około 0,7-0,9 kW. Dzięki pod­wyższonej temperaturze wody uzdatnionej zredukowana została moc cieplna o około 30 kW oraz efektywniej prowadzone były procesy oczyszczania i odgazowania wody. Uzyskano redukcję: zawartości żelaza ze stężenia około 4 do 0,013 g/m3, twardości ogólnej z 13,5 val/m3 do <0,02 val/m3, zasadowości z 4,45 val/m3 do <0,01 val/m3, fosforanów z 0,03 do <0,006 g/m3, uzyskując spełnienie wymagań określonych w normach, co po korekcie pH i odgazowaniu pozwala wykorzystać uzdatnione wody geotermalne dla uzupełnienia ubytków wody sieciowej w systemie ciepłowniczym. Polska Norma PN-85/C-04601 nie specyfikuje wymagań w zakresie dopuszczalnego stężenia m.in. chlorków i siarczanów w wodzie obiegowej, a więc anionów wpływających nakorozyjność wody, głównie wżerową. Jony te tworzą rozpuszczalne związki z metalami, utrudniając powstawanie i wytrącanie tlenków metali. Zastosowanie przedstawionej technologii membranowej w odsalaniu wód termalnych pozwoliło na uzyskanie wysokiego stopnia retencji. Wynosi on dla chlorków 97% po RO-1 i 99 % po RO-2, natomiast dla siarczanów 99% już po RO-1.

Molluscan communities in Late Holocene fluvial deposits as an indicator of human activity: A study in Podhale basin in South Poland

AbstractThe localities of Late Holocene fluvial sediments in the Podhale basin were subjected to malacological analysis. Two types of mollusc communities were found in these formations. The first type is characterized by a high proportion of species typical of open environments such as the zones of wide valleys. The predomination of shade-loving taxa is typical of the second type which is mainly associated with narrow, V-shaped type valleys. Malacological analysis allowed characterization of these communities and reconstruction of environmental changes over the last few hundred years. Particular attention was paid to the reconstruction of the history of human settlement in the Podhale region and its impact on the transformation of the environment. This impact resulted in massive deforestation and the introduction of wide-scale farming and pastoral practices. Application of this malacological analysis enabled the determination of the anthropogenic pressures, and changes in their intensity, over the last few hundred years.

Malacological sequence from profile of calcareous tufa in Groń (Podhale Basin, southern Poland) as an indicator of the Late Glacial/Holocene boundary

Rich assemblages of subfossil malacofauna were discovered in the profile of slope deposits and calcareous tufas at the Groń site in the Podhale Basin in southern Poland. The detailed analysis of the composition of this fauna has made it possible to distinguish four types of assemblages. Their age was established by radiocarbon dating as well as by comparisons with other profiles. The malacofauna represented almost exclusively by terrestrial species, was used for the reconstruction of the changes in the environment during the sedimentation of the deposits. The assemblages distinguished in the study provided the basis for stratigraphic considerations. The oldest fauna, characterized by a high proportion of cold-loving species, is typical of the Younger Dryas. The remaining three assemblages are correspondingly linked with the Early and Middle Holocene. The evident differences in the composition and structure of the identified malacocoenoses enabled definition of the Late Glacial/Holocene boundary. The wide geographical distribution of the selected molluscan assemblages enables supra-regional correlation and provides an important premise for defining the regional malacostratigraphic subdivisions, which can be successfully used to determine the age of deposits. From this viewpoint, the profile of calcareous tufas in Groń represents a model location for Central Europe.

Molluscan assemblages of recent calcareous tufas in the Podhale Basin and Pieniny Mts (S. Poland)

Recently precipitated travertines and calcareous tufas occur commonly in the Podhale Basin and Pieniny Mts. They contain more or less rich subfossil mollusc assemblages which were analysed in 73 samples collected from 43 localities. Seven types and two subtypes of assemblages were distinguished, according to their structure and species composition, depending closely on the local ecological conditions. The whole material comprised 74 species. Only one of them – Bithynella austriaca (Frauenfeld) – was found in many profiles and in substantial numbers, while the remaining species were rare. Malacological investigations of Late Holocene and recent calcareous tufas enable a reconstruction of conditions in which such deposits are formed, and determining the diversity of mollusc assemblages associated with the differentiation of the sedimentary environment. They are also useful for actuopalaeontological analysis which is important for palaeogeographic and palaeoecological interpretations of Holocene and Late Glacial calcareous deposits of southern Poland.