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Podolia is a classical Silurian area in the southwestern part of the Ukraine. Shallow to open shelf rocks cropping out there are usually, except for a few dolomitic horizons, highly fossiliferous and therefore the biostratigraphy of the region has a long successful history. The Ukrainian meeting of the Subcommission on Silurian Stratigraphy of the International Union of Geological Sciences, held in 1983, became an important milestone. Tsegelnyuk et al. summarized different results and views in a field guide published for the meeting (The Silurian of Podolia. The Guide to Excursion. Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 1983) and introduced a practically new stratigraphical terminology, and in some parts of the section, also new age interpretation of the beds. For our paper carbon isotopes were studied in eight sections on the banks of the Dniester River and its tributaries, covering ca 80% of the Silurian succession (Pridoli excluded). Three positive δ13C excursions were identified. The first excursion in the Kitaigorod 30 section reaches its peak value of 4.0‰ in the very bottom of the Demshin Subformation. The second shift reaches the peak value of 4.3‰ in the middle of the Muksha Subformation. The third shift is the most prominent one identified in the Silurian of Podolia – δ13C values increase steadily through the Isakovtsy Subformation, reaching 6.9‰ in the top, and a slightly lower value of 6.6‰ occurs in the bottom of the Prigorodok Formation. In the “middle” Silurian of the World three major positive excursions have been identified: in the early and latest Wenlock and in the late Ludlow. The general character of the carbon isotope trend and stratigraphical positions of the excursions established in this paper demonstrate that in Podolia there occurs the same set of global shifts, which can be used for the improvement of regional and global correlation of Wenlock and Ludlow sections of that area. Some refinements are suggested, but some details need additional study.

The hydrocarbon seepage chronology during deglaciation across the formerly glaciated Barents Sea was established using uranium-thorium (U-Th) dating of seep carbonates. Seep carbonates were sampled with remotely operated vehicles (ROV) from the seafloor at three active hydrocarbon seeps (water depth 156-383 m), located in the north-west (Storfjordrenna), north-central (Storbanken High), and south-west (Loppa High) Barents Sea. Overall, the U-Th dates range from 13.5 to 1.2 thousand years (ka) before present, indicating episodic seep carbonate formation since the late Pleistocene throughout the Holocene. The new U-Th dates indicate protracted post-glacial gas seepage, congruent with previously published seep carbonate ages from the south-west Barents Sea. Gas hydrate dissociation and associated seep carbonate formation occurred at Storfjordrenna between ≈6 and 1.2 ka, and around 13.5 and 6 ka at Storbanken. Early and late Holocene seep carbonate ages from Loppa High support post-glacial seismic activity as potential seepage trigger mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years, the Ohesaare core section and its rich fossil assemblages have enticed researchers to suggest various ideas about Silurian stratigraphy in the East Baltic despite several sedimentary gaps occurring through the Ludlow interval in particular. One of the gaps has removed from the Ohesaare record the most important event in the Palaeozoic history of carbon isotopes – the MidLudfordian Carbon Isotope Excursion (MLCIE), which is partly accompanied by the Lau biotic and oceanic events. In our research, we have performed a detailed distribution analysis of chitinozoans, conodonts, ostracodes and vertebrate microremains with the aim of documenting the evidence regarding the levels of certain environmental events largely preceding the MLCIE. For this purpose, the Torgu Formation was subdivided into five working units. The first results indicate a gap within the uppermost part of the Torgu Formation as a possible level for the missing MLCIE. In order to verify this, we compared the fossil distribution pattern in Ohesaare with that on Gotland (Sweden) and in Kurzeme (Latvia), including δ13C data from the Uddvide (Gotland) and Ventspils (Latvia) core sections. Both Baltic and Bohemian data show rather unanimously that the MLCIE is located below the Ozarkodina crispa conodont Biozone. However, some reports from Gotland show peak values also in higher strata; occasional records of Oz. crispa from other places may cast some doubt on these findings and raise some ecostratigraphical concerns when discussing upper Ludfordian correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effect of freshwater sources on wintertime sea-ice CO2 processes was studied from the glacier front to the outer Tempelfjorden, Svalbard, in sea ice, glacier ice, brine and snow. March–April 2012 was mild, and the fjord was mainly covered with drift ice, in contrast to the observed thicker fast ice in the colder April 2013. This resulted in different physical and chemical properties of the sea ice and under-ice water. Data from stable oxygen isotopic ratios and salinity showed that the sea ice at the glacier front in April 2012 contained on average 54% of frozen-in glacial meltwater. This was five times higher than in April 2013, where the ice was frozen seawater. In April 2012, the largest excess of sea-ice total alkalinity (AT), carbonate ion ([CO32−]) and bicarbonate ion concentrations ([HCO3−]) relative to salinity was mainly related to dissolved dolomite and calcite incorporated during freezing of mineral-enriched glacial water. In April 2013, the excess of these variables was mainly due to ikaite dissolution as a result of sea-ice processes. Dolomite dissolution increased sea-ice AT twice as much as ikaite and calcite dissolution, implying different buffering capacity and potential for ocean CO2 uptake in a changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols emitted by biomass or fossil fuel combustion can contribute to amplify Arctic climate warming by lowering the albedo of snow. The Svalbard archipelago, being near to Europe and Russia, is particularly affected by these pollutants, and improved knowledge of their distribution in snow is needed to assess their impact. Here we present and synthesize new data obtained on Svalbard between 2007 and 2018, comprising 324 measurements of elemental (EC) and organic carbon (OC) in snow from 49 sites. We used these data, combined with meteorological and aerosol data and snowpack modelling, to investigate the variability of EC and OC deposition in Svalbard snow across latitude, longitude, elevation and time. Overall, EC concentrations (…) ranged from <1.0 to 266.6 ng g-1, while OC concentrations (…) ranged from <1.0 to 9449.1 ng g-1, with the highest values observed near Ny-Ålesund. Calculated snowpack loadings (…) m April 2016 were 0.1 to 16.2 mg m-2and 1.7 to 320.1 mg m-2, respectively. The median … and … in the late 2015-16 winter snowpack on glaciers were close to or lower than those found in earlier (2007-09), comparable surveys. Both … and … increased exponentially with elevation and snow accumulation, with dry deposition likely playing a minor role. Estimated area-averaged snowpack loads across Svalbard were 1.8 mg EC m-2 and 71.5 mg OC m-2 in April 2016. An ~11-year long dataset of spring surface snow measurements from central Brøgger Peninsula was used to quantify the interannual variability of EC and OC deposition in snow. On average, … and … at Ny-Ålesund (50 m a.s.l.) were 3 and 7 times higher, respectively, than on the nearby Austre Brøggerbreen glacier (456 m a.s.l.), and the median EC/OC in Ny-Ålesund was 6 times higher, pointing to some local EC emission from Ny-Ålesund. While no long-term trends between 2011 and 2018 were found, … and … showed synchronous variations at Ny-Ålesund and Austre Brøggerbreen. Comparing … at Austre Brøggerbreen with aerosol data from Zeppelin Observatory, we found that snowfall washout ratios between 10 and 300 predict a range of … in agreement with that measured in surface snow. Together, results from this study and comparable surveys confirm the existence of a longitudinal gradient in EC deposition across the Arctic and sub-Arctic, with the lowest … found in the western Arctic (Alaska, Yukon) and central Greenland, and the highest in northwestern Russia and Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water samples from the different basins of the Baltic Sea and North Sea were collected during four cruises taken place in 2016–2017. Altogether 60 water samples for 3H activity concentration and 120 water samples for stable isotopes ratio (δ18O and δ2H) were analysed. Exceptionally strong inflow activity from North Sea to the Baltic Sea occurred prior our surveys. The data obtained enabled comprehensive evaluation of tritium and stable isotopes distribution in waters of Baltic Sea and contributing inputs, including riverine and atmospheric freshwater flux and saline water inflow through the Danish Straits. By comparing with the previous studies, we noticed a tendency toward an increase in the δ18O and δ2H values of zero-salinity component over time, which may be due to climate change. In the case of tritium, the influence of artificial sources has also been noticed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submarine groundwater discharge could impact the transport of critical solutes to the ocean. However, its driver(s), significance over geological time scales, and geographical coverage are poorly understood. We characterize a submarine groundwater seep from the continental slope off northern Norway where substantial amount of meteoric water was detected. We reconstruct the seepage history from textural relationships and U‐Th geochronology of authigenic minerals. We demonstrate how glacial‐interglacial dynamics have promoted submarine groundwater circulation more than 100 km offshore and result in high fluxes of critical solutes to the ocean. Such cryosphere‐hydrosphere coupling is likely common in the circum‐Arctic implying that future decay of glaciers and permafrost in a warming Arctic is expected to attenuate such a coupled process and thus decreases the export of critical solutes. Plain Language Summary: Occurrence of meteoric groundwater (freshwater originated from precipitation such as rain and snow) in the global ocean is an unexpected but seemingly common phenomenon. Here, we report evidence for meteoric groundwater flow at ~800‐m water depth from the coast of northern Norway. Dating of the chemically formed carbonate rocks on the seafloor, an oxidation product of methane, reveals that the groundwater flow was strongest when large ice sheets occupied the nearby shelf. Our results confirm the temporal and geographical scales of meteoric groundwater flow in the Arctic region and highlight its impact on carbon cycling and ocean chemistry. Key Points: We document the connection between glacial dynamics and the discharge of meteoric water from the eastern Norwegian SeaA large quantity of critical solutes discharge to the ocean as a result of water circulationOffshore presence/discharge of freshwater is a common phenomenon in the circum‐Arctic Ocean that have profound impact on ocean chemistry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major ions were analysed in firn and ice cores located at Fimbul Ice Shelf (FIS), Dronning Maud Land - DML, Antarctica. FIS is the largest ice shelf in the Haakon VII Sea, with an extent of approximately 36 500 km². Three shallow firn cores (about 20m deep) were retrieved in different ice rises, Kupol Ciolkovskogo (KC), Kupol Moskovskij (KM), and Blåskimen Island (BI), while a 100m long core (S100) was drilled near the FIS edge. These sites are distributed over the entire FIS area so that they provide a variety of elevation (50-400ma.s.l.) and distance (3-42 km) to the sea. Sea-salt species (mainly Na+ and Cl-) generally dominate the precipitation chemistry in the study region.We associate a significant sixfold increase in median sea-salt concentrations, observed in the S100 core after the 1950s, to an enhanced exposure of the S100 site to primary sea-salt aerosol due to a shorter distance from the S100 site to the ice front, and to enhanced sea-salt aerosol production from blowing salty snow over sea ice, most likely related to the calving of Trolltunga occurred during the 1960s. This increase in seasalt concentrations is synchronous with a shift in non-seasalt sulfate (nssSO42- ) toward negative values, suggesting a possible contribution of fractionated aerosol to the sea-salt load in the S100 core most likely originating from salty snow found on sea ice. In contrast, there is no evidence of a significant contribution of fractionated sea salt to the ice-rises sites, where the signal would be most likely masked by the large inputs of biogenic sulfate estimated for these sites. In summary, these results suggest that the S100 core contains a sea-salt record dominated by the proximity of the site to the ocean, and processes of sea ice formation in the neighbouring waters. In contrast, the ice-rises firn cores register a larger-scale signal of atmospheric flow conditions and a less efficient transport of sea-salt aerosols to these sites. These findings are a contribution to the understanding of the mechanisms behind sea-salt aerosol production, transport and deposition at coastal Antarctic sites, and the improvement of the current Antarctic sea ice reconstructions based on seasalt chemical proxies obtained from ice cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate impact of black carbon (BC) is notably amplified in the Arctic by its deposition, which causes albedo decrease and subsequent earlier snow and ice spring melt. To comprehensively assess the climate impact of BC in the Arctic, information on both atmospheric BC concentrations and deposition is essential. Currently, Arctic BC deposition data are very scarce, while atmospheric BC concentrations have been shown to generally decrease since the 1990s. However, a 300-year Svalbard ice core showed a distinct increase in EC (elemental carbon, proxy for BC) deposition from 1970 to 2004 contradicting atmospheric measurements and modelling studies. Here, our objective was to decipher whether this increase has continued in the 21st century and to investigate the drivers of the observed EC deposition trends. For this, a shallow firn core was collected from the same Svalbard glacier, and a regional-to-meso-scale chemical transport model (SILAM) was run from 1980 to 2015. The ice and firn core data indicate peaking EC deposition values at the end of the 1990s and lower values thereafter. The modelled BC deposition results generally support the observed glacier EC variations. However, the ice and firn core results clearly deviate from both measured and modelled atmospheric BC concentration trends, and the modelled BC deposition trend shows variations seemingly independent from BC emission or atmospheric BC concentration trends. Furthermore, according to the model ca. 99 % BC mass is wet-deposited at this Svalbard glacier, indicating that meteorological processes such as precipitation and scavenging efficiency have most likely a stronger influence on the BC deposition trend than BC emission or atmospheric concentration trends. BC emission source sectors contribute differently to the modelled atmospheric BC concentrations and BC deposition, which further supports our conclusion that different processes affect atmospheric BC concentration and deposition trends. Consequently, Arctic BC deposition trends should not directly be inferred based on atmospheric BC measurements, and more observational BC deposition data are required to assess the climate impact of BC in Arctic snow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new data set of δ2H and δ18O in the groundwater from the central part of the Baltic Artesian Basin is presented. The hydrogeological section is subdivided into stagnation, slow exchange and active exchange zones. Na–Ca–Cl brine found at the deepest part – the stagnation zone – is characterized by δ18O values above −5 ‰ and δ2H values approaching −40 ‰ with respect to Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water. The slow exchange zone where waters of mostly intermediate salinity reside is characterized by δ18O values around −11.7 ‰ and δ2H values around −85.3 ‰. Mean δ18O and δ2H values of the fresh groundwater in the active water exchange zone are −11.1 and −79.9 ‰, respectively. Characteristically, the groundwater in the active and slow exchange zone is isotopically more depleted compared with the precipitation values observed, and the depletion increases with depth down to the level where strongly enriched brines are encountered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In areas with a long history of urbanization and agriculture, ecological properties of lakes can be substantially altered by anthropogenic eutrophication. We used a paleolimnological approach to identify how anthropogenic change affected a hard-water lake ecosystem during the last 200 years. Using sedimentary pigments, green algal remains, pollen analyses and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes (δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb), we assessed the dynamics of paleo-indicators of eutrophication in Lake Verevi (southern Estonia) and compared these with historical evidence and limnological surveys. The study site was also selected to quantify the impact of a documented change in water level on sedimentary pigment preservation (via changes in oxygen and light availability) and green algal remains (whose abundance is higher in the littoral zone). In addition, the ratio of chlorophyll a to pheophytin a provided valuable information on sedimentation conditions, and thus, helped interpret the variation in sedimentary pigments concentrations. All indicators showed a synchronous ecological response to an increasingly pronounced anthropogenic impact. Furthermore, our results showed that the first sign of eutrophication was present as early as the 19th century, as indicated by a sharp rise in green algae (Pediastrum), more positive δ13Ccarb values, and a pronounced increase in phytoplankton pigment concentrations. Pollen data showed that these changes coincided with land clearance and the start of agricultural activities. The δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb data were strongly correlated and enriched isotopic content coincided with the eutrophication signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three shallow firn cores were retrieved in the austral summers of 2011/12 and 2013/14 on the ice rises Kupol Ciolkovskogo (KC), Kupol Moskovskij (KM), and Blåskimen Island (BI), all part of Fimbul Ice Shelf (FIS) in western Dronning Maud Land (DML), Antarctica. The cores were dated back to 1958 (KC), 1995 (KM), and 1996 (BI) by annual layer counting using high-resolution oxygen isotope (ƍ18O) data, and by identifying volcanic horizons using non-sea-salt sulfate (nssSO42-) data. The water stable isotope records show that the atmospheric signature of the annual snow accumulation cycle is well preserved in the firn column, especially at KM and BI.We are able to determine the annual surface mass balance (SMB), as well as the mean SMB values between identified volcanic horizons. Average SMB at the KM and BI sites (0.68 and 0.70mw:e: yr-1) was higher than at the KC site (0.24mw:e: yr-1), and there was greater temporal variability as well. Trends in the SMB and ƍ18O records from the KC core over the period of 1958-2012 agree well with other previously investigated cores in the area, thus the KC site could be considered the most representative of the climate of the region. Cores from KM and BI appear to be more affected by local meteorological conditions and surface topography. Our results suggest that the ice rises are suitable sites for the retrieval of longer firn and ice cores, but that BI has the best preserved seasonal cycles of the three records and is thus the most optimal site for high-resolution studies of temporal variability of the climate signal. Deuterium excess data suggest a possible effect of seasonal moisture transport changes on the annual isotopic signal. In agreement with previous studies, large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns most likely provide the dominant influence on water stable isotope ratios preserved at the core sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unsaturated zone is an important part of the water cycle, governed by many hydrological and hydrogeological factors and processes and provide water and nutrients to the terrestrial ecosystem. Besides, the soils of the unsaturated zone are regarded as the first natural barrier to a large extent and are able to limit the spread of contaminants depending on their properties. The unsaturated zone provides a linkage between atmospheric moisture, groundwater, and seepage of groundwater to streams, lakes, or other surface water bodies. The major difference between water flow in saturated and unsaturated soils is that the hydraulic conductivity, which is conventionally assumed to be a constant in saturated soils, is a function of the degree of saturation or matrix suction in the unsaturated soils. In Lithuania, low and intermediate level radioactive wastes generated from medicine, industry and research were accumulated at the Maisiagala radioactive waste repository. Short-lived low and intermediate levels radioactive waste, generated during the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) and arising after the INPP decommissioning will be disposed of in the near surface repository close to the INPP (Stabatiske site). Extensive data sets of the hydraulic properties and water content attributed to unsaturated zone soil profiles of the two radioactive waste disposal sites have been collected and summarized. Globally widespread radionuclide tritium (3H) and stable isotope ratio (18O/16O and2H/1H) distribution features were determined in precipitation, unsaturated zone soil moisture profiles and groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Physical and chemical properties of four different ice cores (LF-97, LF-08, LF-09 and LF-11) drilled at Lomonosovfonna, Svalbard, were compared to investigate the effects of meltwater percolation on the chemical and physical stratigraphy of these records. A synthetic ice core approach was employed as reference record to estimate the ionic relocation and meltwater percolation length at this site during the period 2007-2010. Using this method, a partial ion elution sequence obtained for Lomonosovfonna was NO3- > SO42-, Mg2+, Cl-, K+, Na+ with nitrate being the most mobile within the snowpack. The relocation length of most of the ions was on the order of 1m during this period. In addition, by using both a positive degree day (PDD) and a snow-energy model approaches to estimate the percentage of melt at Lomonosovfonna, we have calculated a melt percentage (MP) of the total annual accumulation within the range between 48 and 70%, for the period between 2007 and 2010, which is above the MP range suggested by the ion relocation evidenced in the LF-syn core (i.e., MPD30%). Using a firn-densification model to constrain the melt range, a MP of 30% was found over the same period, which is consistent with the results of the synthetic ice core approach, and a 45% of melt for the last 60 years. Considering the ionic relocation lengths and annual melt percentages, we estimate that the atmospheric ionic signal remains preserved in recently drilled Lomonosovfonna ice cores at an annual or bi-annual resolution when weather conditions were similar to those during the 2007-2010 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Integration of new isotopic data and earlier biostratigraphic information from eight sections through the terminal Ordovician (Pirgu and Porkuni stages) of the Siljan district, Sweden, allows a more precise correlation of sections in terms of biostratigraphy and carbon isotope dating. Four levels with positive δ13C excursions are identified (from bottom) – the Moe, an unnamed excursion, Paroveja and Hirnantian Carbon Isotope Excursion (HICE). The δ13C values through the Boda Limestone are 1–2‰ higher than usual in Baltica, only the values for the HICE remains within what is expected. Background values increase from 1.5‰ in the bottom of the core of the Boda Limestone up to 3‰ in the top of it. The HICE is identified in five of eight sections and the main peak falls according to inferred correlation within theMetabolograptus persculptusBiozone, at or close to theHindellabeds in the Upper Boda Member. The late Katian (Pirgu) age ofHolorhynchusin the Siljan district is clear and its co-occurrence with the chitinozoanBelonechitina gamachianain Estonia supports a Katian age for this zone. The base of theOzarkodina hassiBiozone may occur within units B–C of the Upper Boda Member and in the upper part of the Loka Formation and most likely is correlated with theM. persculptusBiozone. TheHirnantia–Dalmanitinafaunas reported from the lowermost part of the Loka Formation and units B–D of the Upper Boda Member seem to range through all the Hirnantian, but detailed morphological studies allow to distinguish an older ( = extraordinarius) and a younger ( = persculptus) fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing reactive nitrogen (Nr) deposition in the Arctic may adversely impact N-limited ecosystems. To investigate atmospheric transport of Nr to Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic, snow and firn samples were collected from glaciers and analysed to define spatial and temporal variations (1–10 years) in major ion concentrations and the stable isotope composition (δ15N and δ18O) of nitrate () across the archipelago. The and averaged −4‰ and 67‰ in seasonal snow (2010–11) and −9‰ and 74‰ in firn accumulated over the decade 2001–2011. East–west zonal gradients were observed across the archipelago for some major ions (non-sea salt sulphate and magnesium) and also for and in snow, which suggests a different origin for air masses arriving in different sectors of Svalbard. We propose that snowfall associated with long-distance air mass transport over the Arctic Ocean inherits relatively low due to in-transport N isotope fractionation. In contrast, faster air mass transport from the north-west Atlantic or northern Europe results in snowfall with higher because in-transport fractionation of N is then time-limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Viki drill core is one of the reference sections for the Estonian bedrock succession, characterizing strata of Mid Ordovician through early Silurian age in the eastern part of the Baltoscandian basin. In this article, we present the hitherto missing Ordovician stable carbon isotope curve and Middle Ordovician conodont biostratigraphy from the Viki core to complement the previous lithological, geochemical, geophysical and biostratigraphic studies. For the first time, the Hirnantian sulfur isotope excursion is reported from the eastern Baltic region, showing high amplitude and tight coupling with carbon cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays carbon isotopes and bentonites have become new authorities in stratigraphy besides traditional biostratigraphy. Three positive carbon isotope excursions have been identified in the Upper Silurian of Podolia: the mid-Ludfordian excursion, the late Přídolí excursion at the Trubchyn/Dzvenygorod junction and the SIDE at the Silurian–Devonian boundary. Fourteen bentonite beds are known from this upper Ludlow–Přídolí interval. Some of these are better studied and are helpful for correlation of sections. Using the stage slices as a framework, we show that the Přídolí can be subdivided into “natural” stage rank units based on the integrated bio-, litho- and chemostratigraphy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The assessment of construction sites for the new Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant (Visaginas NPP), including groundwater characterization, took place over the last few years. For a better understanding of the groundwater system, studies on radiocarbon; tritium; stable isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon; and helium content were carried out at the location of the new NPP, at the Western and Eastern sites, as well as in the near-surface repository (NSR) site. Two critical depth zones in the Quaternary aquifer system were characterized by different groundwater residence times and having slightly different stable isotope features and helium content. The first shallow interval of the Quaternary multi-aquifer system consists of an unconfined aquifer and semiconfined aquifer. The second depth interval of the system is related to the lower Quaternary confined aquifer. Groundwater residence time in the first flow system was mainly based on tritium data and ranges from 6 to 60 yr. These aquifers are the most important in terms of safety assessment and are considered as a potential radionuclide transfer pathway in safety assessment. Groundwater residence time in the lower Quaternary aquifers based on 14C data varies from modern to several thousand years and in some intervals up to 10,500 yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rijpfjorden (80° N, 22° E) is a high-Arctic fjord on Nordaustlandet in the Svalbard archipelago. To monitor the thermodynamic change of sea ice in spring, an ice mass-balance buoy (IMB) was deployed for 2.5 months (10 April-26 June 2011), with accompanying in situ measurements, sea-ice sampling on three occasions and ice-core analysis. Uncertainties and sources of error in in situ measurements and IMB data are discussed. The in situ measurements, ice-core analysis and IMB data together depict the development of snow and ice in spring. Snow and ice thickness exhibited large spatial and temporal variability. After relatively stable conditions with only little change in ice thickness and accumulation of snow, a layer of superimposed ice ~0.06m thick formed at the snow–ice interface due to refreezing of snow meltwater in late spring. Ice thickness (except for growth of superimposed ice) did not change significantly based on in situ observations. In contrast, the under-ice sonar data from the IMB show reflections from a layer deeper than the underside of the ice during the melting phase. This can be explained as a reflection of the sonar pulses from an interface between a freshwater layer under the ice and more saline water below, or as a false-bottom formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Beaudon, E., Arppe, L., Jonsell, U., Martma, T., Möller, M., Pohjola, V.A., Scherer, D. and Moore, J.C., 2011. Spatial and temporal variability of net accumulation from shallow cores from Vestfonna ice cap (Nordaustlandet, Svalbard). Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 93, 287-299. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0459.2011.00439.x Abstract We analyse ice cores from Vestfonna ice cap (Nordaustlandet, Svalbard). Oxygen isotopic measurements were made on three firn cores (6.0, 11.0 and 15.5 m deep) from the two highest summits of the glacier located on the SW-NE and NW-SE central ridges. Sub-annual δ18O cycles were preserved and could be counted visually in the uppermost parts of the cores, but deeper layers were affected by post-depositional smoothing. A pronounced δ18O minimum was found near the bottom of the three cores. We consider candidates for this δ18O signal to be a valuable reference horizon since it is also seen elsewhere in Nordaustlandet. We attribute it to isotopically depleted snow precipitation, which NCEP/NCAR reanalysis shows was unusual for Vestfonna, and came from northerly air during the cold winter of 1994/95. Finding the 1994/95 time marker allows establishment of a precise depth/age scale for the three cores. The derived annual accumulation rates indirectly fill a geographical gap in mass balance measurements and thus provide information on spatial and temporal variability of precipitation over the glacier for the period spanned by the cores (1992-2009). Comparing records at the two locations also reveals that the snow net accumulation at the easternmost part of Vestfonna was only half of that in the western part over the last 17 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]