Southern Vienna Basin Research Articles

U–Pb zircon age and mineralogy of the St Georgen halloysite tuff shed light on the timing of the middle Badenian (mid-Langhian) transgression, ash dispersal and palaeoenvironmental conditions in the southern Vienna Basin, Austria

A geochronological study of the St Georgen tuff, favourably positioned within the Middle Miocene marine succession of the Vienna Basin, is essential to our understanding of the timing of the middle Badenian transgression. We report here new data on the separated zircon U–Pb ages/phase chemistry and the clay mineralogy of altered tuffs and then use these data to infer the provenance of the tephra and the palaeoenvironmental conditions. The ages of the tuff range between 15.78 ± 0.27 and 14.36 ± 0.31 Ma, with a weighted mean age of 14.59 ± 0.2 Ma. This defines the onset of the second Badenian transgression in the Central Paratethys region, which was the strongest transgression in the entire Miocene record of the Vienna Basin. The compositional and temporal relationships between the tuff and the neighbouring volcanism suggest that the Harsány eruption in the central Pannonian Basin is the most plausible source region for the tephra. West- and SW-directed tropospheric trade winds or easterlies were responsible for the transport of the Harsány tephra to its present location. The prevalence of halloysite, in addition to post-depositional alteration reactions (glass–smectite–halloysite and kaolinite–halloysite) suggest the fallout of tephra in a very shallow sea, which may have been affected by seasonal wetting and drying cycles at the onset of ash deposition. Supplementary material: Halloysite mineralogy, global geochemistry and U-Pb zircon age data are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6294944

Compaction trend estimation and applications to sedimentary basin reconstruction (BasinVis 2.0)

BasinVis 1.0, a MATLAB-based modular open-source program released in 2016, has been used for multiple application studies of sedimentary basin analysis and modelling in both academic and industry fields. Based on these studies and user feedbacks, we have improved the workflow, revised user interfaces and developed novel techniques for the compaction trend estimation of infilling sediments and its applications (decompaction process) to sedimentary basin reconstruction and visualization. These improved functions are implemented in BasinVis, upgrading the software to Version 2.0. This study introduces BasinVis 2.0 and demonstrates its functions through extensive case studies comprising of well data from the Perth Basin (Australia) and the Vienna Basin (Austria). Compaction trend estimation and decompaction process are crucial for analyzing numerical basin evolution (e.g., subsidence) and evaluating hydrocarbon reservoirs and geological storages. The compaction trend is estimated with improved accuracy using linear and exponential trending equations. The quality is evaluated using porosity-depth data from IODP Site U1459 and the industry well Houtman-1 in the northern Perth Basin, offshore southwestern Australia. Data from 38 industry wells in the southern Vienna Basin, central Europe, are applied to demonstrate the redesigned interfaces and new functions using the decompaction technique in the stratigraphic visualization process for basin reconstruction. The results provide useful and more detailed information for the compaction trends and the sedimentation setting during basin formation as well as changes during burial.

MATLAB 기반의 프로그램 BasinVis 2.0을 이용한 분지 모델링:오스트리아 비엔나 분지의 남부 지역에 대한 사례 연구

분지 해석은 퇴적분지의 형성과 진화를 이해하기 위한 연구 분야로서 여러 종류의 지구과학 자료들을 종합적으로 분석해야 하며, 분지의 시공간적 발달을 입체적으로 구현하기 위해서는 모델링 기술이 적용된다. 분지해석과 모델링 연구를 위해 2016년 MATLAB 기반의 프로그램 BasinVis 1.0이 공개되었으며 최근에는 새로운 기능과 수정된 사용자 인터페이스를 포함한 BasinVis 2.0이 개발되었다. 이 연구에서는 BasinVis 2.0을 이용한 분지 모델링을 소개하기 위해 비엔나 분지의 남부에서 사례 연구를 수행하였다. 이 연구는 BasinVis 1.0을 이용한 비엔나 분지 중북부의 모델링 연구와 함께 앞으로 수행될 비엔나 분지 전지역의 모델링을 위한 예비 연구로서, 연구 지역의 마이오세 퇴적층과 침강 발달을 시공간적으로 구현하였다. 마이오세 초기의 후반 동안 퇴적과 침강은 북동-남서 방향의 주향이동 단층과 안행성 점완 정단층들을 따라 빠르게 나타난다. 하지만 마이오세 중기부터 후기까지 침강은 급격히 감소한다. 이는 인리형 시스템의 발달에 연관하며, 주향이동 분지의 단기간의 빠른 지구조 침강 패턴과 일치한다. 마이오세 중기의 침강은 주로 주향이동 단층을 따라서 나타나는 반면, 마이오세 중기 후반부터는 북-남 방향의 점완 정단층을 따라 저지대로 퇴적 중심지가 이동되었다. 이는 광역적 고응력장이 북동-남서 방향의 횡인장에서 동-서 방향의 인장으로 변화하는 것과 일치한다. 이 연구에서는 다양한 기능과 기법들이 사례 연구에 적용되었으며, 모델링 결과는 BasinVis 2.0이 분지 모델링 연구에 효과적으로 적용 가능함을 보여준다.

Geochemistry, environmental and provenance study of the Middle Miocene Leitha limestones (Central Paratethys)

Abstract Mineralogical, major, minor, REE and trace element analyses of rock samples were performed on Middle Miocene limestones (Leitha limestones, Badenian) collected from four localities from Austria (Mannersdorf, Wöllersdorf, Kummer and Rosenberg quarries) and the Fertőrákos quarry in Hungary. Impure to pure limestones (i.e. limited by Al2O3 contents above or below 0.43 wt. %) were tested to evaluate the applicability of various geochemical proxies and indices in regard to provenance and palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Pure and impure limestones from Mannersdorf and Wöllersdorf (southern Vienna Basin) show signs of detrital input (REEs = 27.6 ± 9.8 ppm, Ce anomaly = 0.95 ± 0.1 and the presence of quartz, muscovite and clay minerals in impure limestones) and diagenetic influence (low contents of, e.g., Sr = 221 ± 49 ppm, Na is not detected, Ba = 15.6 ± 8.8 ppm in pure limestones). Thus, in both limestones the reconstruction of original sedimentary palaeoenvironments by geochemistry is hampered. The Kummer and Fertőrákos (Eisenstadt–Sopron Basin) comprise pure limestones (e.g., averages Sr = 571 ± 139 ppm, Na = 213 ± 56 ppm, Ba = 21 ± 4 ppm, REEs = 16 ± 3 ppm and Ce anomaly = 0.62 ± 0.05 and composed predominantly of calcite) exhibiting negligible diagenesis. Deposition under a shallow-water, well oxygenated to intermittent dysoxic marine environment can be reconstructed. Pure to impure limestones at Rosenberg–Retznei (Styrian Basin) are affected to some extent by detrital input and volcano-siliciclastic admixture. The Leitha limestones at Rosenberg have the least diagenetic influence among the studied localities (i.e. averages Sr = 1271 ± 261 ppm, Na = 315 ± 195 ppm, Ba = 32 ± 15 ppm, REEs = 9.8 ± 4.2 ppm and Ce anomaly = 0.77 ± 0.1 and consist of calcite, minor dolomite and quartz). The siliciclastic sources are characterized by immobile elemental ratios (i.e. La/Sc and Th/Co) which apply not only for the siliciclastics, but also for marls and impure limestones. At Mannersdorf the detrital input source varies between intermediate to silicic igneous rocks, while in Kummer and Rosenberg the source is solely silicic igneous rocks. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) is only applicable in the shale-contaminated impure limestones. CIA values of the Leitha limestones from Mannersdorf indicate a gradual transition from warm to temperate palaeoclimate within the limestone succession of the Badenian.

A Late Pleistocene to Holocene succession of leporid species in the southern Vienna Basin (Austria)

The new archaeological and palaeontological site of Smrcka Lorenz-Abris yielded three different leporid species in stratigraphical sequence, mirroring the effect of environmental changes and the influence of humans in this area. Lepus timidus is a species with a wide Late Pleistocene distribution, but disappeared in the Vienna Basin at the end of the Pleistocene. Lepus europaeus appeared in the Holocene and became dominant in lower altitudes in Austria. Interspecific competition as well as anthropogenic and natural environmental changes are the main factors that caused this replacement. At Smrcka Lorenz-Abris, L. europaeus became dominant around 7000 a BP. This site yielded the last evidence of a mountain hare in the Vienna Basin, with a preserved lower jaw that was dated to be from around 14,000 a BP. The most recent immigrant is Oryctolagus cuniculus, which was introduced to Austria, and only found in the upper parts of the section.

The 2013 Earthquake Series in the Southern Vienna Basin: location

Abstract. Eastern Austria is a region of low to moderate seismicity, and hence the seismological network coverage is relatively sparse. Nevertheless accurate earthquake location is very important, as the area is one of the most densely populated and most developed areas in Austria. In 2013 a series of earthquakes with magnitudes up to 4.2 was recorded in the Southern Vienna Basin. With portable broadband, semi-permanent, and permanent installed seismic sensors from different institutions it was possible to record the main- and aftershocks with an unusual multitude of close-by seismic stations. In this study we combine records from all available stations up to 240 km distance in one dataset. First, we stabilize the location with three stations deployed in the epicentral area. The higher network density moves the location of smaller magnitude events closer to the main shocks, with respect to preliminary locations achieved by permanent and semi-permanent networks. Then we locate with NonLinLoc using consistent picks, a 3-D velocity model and apply station corrections. This second approach results in stable epicenters, for limited and even changing station availability. This dataset can then be inspected more closely for the presence of regional phases, which then can be used for more accurate localizations and especially depth estimation. Further research will address directivity effects and the asymmetry in earthquake intensity observed throughout the area, using double differences and cross-correlations.

From biologically to hydrodynamically controlled carbonate production by tectonically induced paleogeographic rearrangement (Middle Miocene, Pannonian Basin)

The Leitha Mountains in Austria are a chain of hills separating the southern Vienna Basin and the Danube Basin. The Lower East Alpine basement of the Leitha Mts. is covered by Middle Miocene sediments of the Badenian and Sarmatian regional stages. Close to the northeastern margin of these hills, upper Badenian successions are exposed, which are part of a coralline algal-dominated carbonate platform with hydrodynamically influenced sediments. Six sections have been logged and subjected to detailed investigation and sampling. They are characterized by inclined beds (foresets), which have been formed by unidirectional transport of sediments. Large-scale asymmetrical ripples indicate strong currents affecting shallow topset deposits. Generally, this hydrodynamically controlled sedimentation, documented by seven facies types, is reflected in a strongly reduced diversity of facies and biota, contrary to the older facies-rich middle Badenian sediments. This change from biologically to hydrodynamically controlled sedimentation led to a reduction in diversity of facies and biota. Sediment transport, however, caused secondary mass occurrences of echinoids or foraminifers derived from seagrass meadows. This study unravels the distribution and differences of middle and upper Badenian deposits of the Leitha Mountains and the influence of tectonic activity. Changes in hydrodynamics on the Leitha Platform are linked to the formation of the Danube Basin starting in the middle Badenian when a new seaway to the southeast has started to form.

Ecospace variability along a carbonate platform at the northern boundary of the Miocene reef belt (Upper Langhian, Austria)

The south-western edge of the Leitha Mountains in the southern Vienna Basin (Austria) exposes parts of an Upper Langhian (Middle Badenian) shallow water (<30m) carbonate platform. The study of its ecospace comprises sedimentological and palaeontological data of 4 up to 36m thick carbonate sections of the Müllendorf quarries which have been logged and subjected to detailed investigation and sampling. The sedimentary record is dominated by coralline algal debris sands which represent 7 distinct lithofacies (bioclastic coralline algal-mollusc facies, Hyotissa facies, Isognomon facies, coral facies, rhodolith facies, bryozoan facies). All these facies are described in detail in respect to lithology and biota and are palaeoecologically interpreted. Striking features of these limestone successions are periodical intercalations of coral- and mollusc-rich horizons. Their formation had been triggered by water turbidity and low amplitude changes in relative sea level. These relations are especially interesting as the platform carbonates formed at the northern edge of the Langhian Peri–Mediterranean reef belt. Water turbidity, as ecological master factor, and depth played the fundamental role in ecosystem and community expression within ecospace. The lateral distribution and the ecological relations between the various facies types allow proposing an ecospace-occupation model.

Facies and synsedimentary tectonics on a Badenian carbonate platform in the southern Vienna Basin (Austria, Central Paratethys)

The Mannersdorf quarries at the northeastern edge of the Leitha Mountains (Lower Austria) preserve a record of pre-, syn- and post-tectonical phases of a Badenian carbonate platform in the Vienna Basin. The pre-tectonic phase is reported by a marine transgression with the development of a coastal slope scree and subsequent prograding of a Gilbert-type fan delta, overlain by very heterogeneous corallinacean limestones. A fault divides the study area into two independent tectonic blocks, which have been logged and subjected to detailed investigation and sampling. The corallinacean limestones of the first block indicate shallow-water environments (i.e., seagrass meadows) and gradual transitions from shallower to deeper environments, while the second block shows an unconformity, which is linked to a rapid facies change from relatively deeper environments (i.e., indicated by the abundance of in situ Pholadomya) to shallow waters (indicated by corals). Contrary to coral-bearing limestones of the same age at the southwestern part of the Leitha Mountains, corals are generally rare in the limestones of the Mannersdorf quarries, which represent mostly deeper environments with conspicuous differences in faunal associations. The onlap of limestones on a tectonic-caused flexure indicates syn-tectonical movements. Paleostress analyses verify a normal-fault reactivated as a dextral strike-slip fault. The temporal character of this fault is indicated by a post-tectonical phase with a marine transgression, a burial of the fault and neptunian dyke development.

Age dating base flow at springs and gaining streams using helium‐3 and tritium: Fischa‐Dagnitz system, southern Vienna Basin, Austria

Springs and gaining streams are locations where groundwater flow paths naturally converge and discharge as a flow‐weighted mixture of water from the contributing aquifer. The age of that water is therefore a good measure of the mean transit time (MTT) of the contributing aquifer. The question examined in this paper is whether tritiogenic helium‐3 and tritium (3Hetrit–3H) can be used to estimate MTT in these settings. To answer that question two factors must be considered: (1) the loss of 3He from discharging groundwater as it becomes exposed to the atmosphere, and (2) the accuracy with which MTT can be determined from flow‐weighted 3Hetrit–3H concentrations. These concepts were tested at the Fischa‐Dagnitz system (springs and emerging stream), which is part of the southern Vienna Basin aquifer. Conducting a gas tracer test, gas exchange coefficients (λ) were established for helium‐4 (4He) and krypton‐84 (84Kr), and derived for helium‐3 (3He) and neon‐20 (20Ne). By simulating measured groundwater inflow and gas transport in the stream, groundwater inflow concentrations for 3He, 4He, 20Ne, and 84Kr were estimated. Correcting for the various sources of He, the tritiogenic helium‐3 (3Hetrit) concentration of inflowing groundwater was estimated at 8.3 tritium units (TU). The flow‐weighted groundwater concentration of 3H, determined from 22 stream water samples, was estimated at 9.8 TU. Assuming that the relationship between flow amount and transit time at Fischa‐Dagnitz is characterized by a hybrid dispersion–exponential age model, the 3Hetrit–3H ratio (8.3/9.8 = 0.85) defines a MTT of 8 years. The validity of this estimate was evaluated by comparison to a long‐term 3H time series that exists for Fischa‐Dagnitz. The likely range of MTT's derived from the measured 3H time series is 11 to 14 years.

Climate and tectonic controls on Pleistocene sequence development and river evolution in the Southern Vienna Basin (Austria)

The impact of climate and tectonism on sedimentation and lithofacies development is demonstrated for Austria's largest Pleistocene sedimentary basin situated within the Vienna Basin. The coarse grained, massive facies is associated with high-energetic flood events reflecting a distinct seasonality effect of discharge during glacial times. In contrast, fine grained, well stratified sediments mark periods of rather high discharge to sediment supply ratios during warmer periods. Preservation of depositional sequences was facilitated by subsidence rates of approx. 0.5–1 mm/a. High subsidence rates in the basin preserve a relatively large record of sequences compared to fluvial terraces which reflect mainly sediments deposited during and shortly after glacials. 14C and relative ages demonstrate the strong impact of oscillations in climate on fluvial stratigraphy covering times from the upper period of MIS 3 to MIS 1. Abundant sediment supply and the associated increase in accumulation space as well as tectonic factors affect not only the sequence development but also the geomorphology of two mountain front alluvial fans which toe out into the Mitterndorf Basin. High discharge to sediment supply ratios leads to fan incision and to abandonment of fan surfaces. During phases of reduced sediment supply the effect of subsidence results in headcut erosion, and, if sufficient time is available, may lead to complete through trenching. Abandoned fan surfaces are exposed to widespread soil formation which mark sequence boundaries to the following coarse grained, massive facies reflecting high sediment supply to discharge ratios.

Application of environmental isotopes for studying stream/aquifer interactions in the Danube basin

This paper demonstrates, using selected case studies in the Upper Danube basin, how isotopes may serve as a way of better implementing the groundwater related part of the EU Water Framework Directive requirements in the Danube basin. The following examples of conceptual models elaborated in the 1990s with use of isotopes in the Upper Danube basin show how isotopes can be used to help understand: a) potential pathways and travel time of contamination from groundwater to the river from Southern Vienna basin; b) vulnerability of river/wetland ecosystems in the Regelsbrunn wetland; and c) delineation of Danube-originated and local groundwaters in the Pannonian basin. Isotope methods could be also used in other parts of the Danube basin. For example, because the groundwater inflow via tributaries can be important, we also propose longitudinal chemical and isotopical monitoring of the main Danube tributaries, e.g., the Tisza river, which drains the major part of the Great Pannonian basin. Finally, we argue that open questions highlighted in the previous Joint Danube Survey, especially those on the identification of hotspots of nutrient inputs could be addressed using isotope techniques, and therefore we recommend addition of isotopes to the sampling programme of the coming Joint Danube Survey in 2007.

3-D mapping of segmented active faults in the southern Vienna Basin

In this paper we present novel data on the location and kinematics of seismically active fault segments of the Vienna Basin Transfer Fault System in the southern Vienna Basin. Spatial mapping of active faults and kinematical analyses are based on commercial 3-D reflection seismic data, geomorphological features such as tilted Quaternary river terraces and fault scarps, the geometry of subsided Quaternary basins, and published geodetic data. Accordingly, active faulting in the southern Vienna Basin occurs partly by reactivation of the Miocene fault system related to the formation of the Vienna pull-apart basin between c. 17 and 8 Ma. Two domains of Quaternary and active faults can be distinguished with, (1) predominantly strike-slip and (2) mainly normal faulting. (1) A seismically active NE-striking sinistral strike-slip fault zone with large negative flower structures is mapped at the south-eastern margin of the basin. Subsidence within the reflection seismically imaged flower structure is documented by up to 1000 m of throw since Pannonian times and the accumulation of up to 150 m thick Quaternary gravels. At the surface the fault zone is characterized by en-echelon faults with some prominent scarps. (2) Major E-dipping normal faults branch off from the transfer strike-slip fault system. The normal faults extend into the central and western part of the basin as well as into the urban area of Vienna. Close to Vienna, the normal offset along such a normal fault is at minimum 300 m since Pannonian times. Surface expressions of active normal faulting are tilted Quaternary terraces of the Danube river and tilted ancient land surfaces in the hanging wall of the normal faults. The mapped active normal faults are kinematically linked by a common detachment horizon, which is in contact with the seismically active strike-slip zone along the south-eastern border of the basin. Northeast of the Vienna Basin the seismically active zone continues as a straight line indicating a rather linear transfer fault zone than a pull-apart step over geometry.

Geologie und Grundwasserbilanz im südlichen Wiener Becken

Geologie und Grundwasserbilanz im südlichen Wiener Becken