O występowaniu i genezie zlepieńca czwartorzędowego

Abstract

ON OCCURRENCE AND ORIGIN OF QUATERNARY CONGLOMERATE

The authors have investigated and described Quaternary conglomerates and sandstones from 4 localities grouped in Northeastern Poland. On the basis or detailed examinations they determined the origin of these deposits with due consideration of physico-chemical conditions. Thus they ascertained that cementation bas gone forth in the zone of aeration. The calcium carbonate participating in this c:ementation is derived from dissolved fragments of calcareous rocks scat1;e[-ed in the lOO6ely accumulated material. The water which took part in dissolving CaCO₃, in transferring this solution, in concentrating it and precipitating, has been atmospheric water. In leaching and precipitating the calcium carbonate, an important role was played by the variableness of the pH value of the solution, the porosity of the deposit, and evaporation.

The author determined that initially a conglomerate was formed representing a reservoir of CaCO₃ for further cementation processes. As a result of these latter processes, a group of columnar sandstone deposits were formed. The origin of the sandstone forms resembles the manner in which stalactites and stalagmites are built in caves.

The Quaternary conglomerates and sandstones are not connected with any stratigraphical horizon within the Quaternary. Their occurrence depends on an environment possessing an appropriate assemblage of physico-chemical conditions.