{"title":"Reconstructing the channel shifting pattern of the Torsa River on the Himalayan Foreland Basin over the last 250 years","authors":"U. Saha, Soma Bhattacharya","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The varied physiography, incidences of high seasonal discharge, influences of neo-tectonic activity and the young geological foundation with less consolidated cohesive and non-cohesive sediment have left the Himalayan foreland basin a formidable ground, where silt-laden rivers tend to migrate frequently. A set of maps prepared after 1764, space photographs captured in 1970 and current satellite images from 2015 and 2017 were studied to reconstruct the fluvial dynamics of the Torsa River on the foreland basin of Sikkim-Bhutan Himalaya considering a time span of nearly 250 years. Evidence collected from colonial literature, the above-mentioned satellite images and a field survey, were combined to verify results taken from the old maps used as the base of the study. The application of satellite remote sensing and analysis of the topographic signatures of the palaeo-courses in the form of the palaeo-levee, abandoned courses and ox-bow lakes were the major operational attributes in this study. As a consequence of the channel migration of Torsa River since 1764, the historical floodplain of Torsa has been topographically marked by beheaded old distributaries, a misfit channel system and the presence of abandoned segments. Morphometric changes in the old courses, major flood events and neo-tectonic activity guided an overall trend of channel migration eastwards and has led to a couple of channel oscillation events in the Torsa River over the last 250 years. The mechanism of the avulsion events was thoroughly driven by sedimentation-induced channel morphometric changes and occasional high discharge.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77192357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Dezső, S. Czigány, G. Nagy, E. Pirkhoffer, M. Słowik, Lóczy Dénes
{"title":"Monitoring soil moisture dynamics in multilayered Fluvisols","authors":"J. Dezső, S. Czigány, G. Nagy, E. Pirkhoffer, M. Słowik, Lóczy Dénes","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The identification of drought-sensitive areas (DSAs) in floodplain Fluvisols of high textural pedodiversity is crucial for sustainable land management purposes. During extended drought periods moisture replenishment is only available by capillary rise from the groundwater. However, moisture flux is often hindered by capillary barriers in the interface between layers of contrasting textures. The results of HYDRUS-1D simulations run on multilayered soil profiles were integrated into textural maps to determine the spatial distribution of water dynamics on the floodplain of the Drava River (SW Hungary). Model runs and field data revealed limited moisture replenishment by capillary rise when both contrasting textural interfaces and sandy layers are present in the profile. By implementing these textural and hydraulic relations, a drought vulnerability map (DSA map) of the operational area of the Old Drava Programme (ODP) was developed. According to the spatial distribution of soils of reduced capillary rise, 52% of the ODP area is likely threatened by droughts. Our model results are adaptable for optimisation of land- and water-management practices along the floodplains of low-energy and medium-sized rivers under humid continental and maritime climates.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89897030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Karasiewicz, Lucyna Tobojko, M. Świtoniak, Kinga Milewska, Sebastian Tyszkowski
{"title":"The morphogenesis of erosional valleys in the slopes of the Drwęca valley and the properties of their colluvial infills","authors":"T. Karasiewicz, Lucyna Tobojko, M. Świtoniak, Kinga Milewska, Sebastian Tyszkowski","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The article characterises Late Glacial and Holocene deposits and provides a morphometric analysis of erosional and denudation valleys in the slope and terraces of the Drwęca Valley near Jajkowo village, a few kilometres east of Brodnica. A detailed field mapping was used to identify in detail two such forms within the western slope of the Drwęca Valley. Based on the results, it was found that the longitudinal profiles of these forms are not aligned (with an inclination of approximately 4˚). The slopes of valley I are asymmetrical, with the southern slope being milder than the northern exposure, which is not the case with form II. Form I is narrower and has a V-shaped cross profile, while II is wider and has a trough-shaped profile cross profile. The side valleys were initially cut by the flow of what were most probably meltwaters and precipitation water from the moraine plateau, then the erosion stopped and the valleys gradually filled and widened mainly as a result of rinsing and mass movements, which may have been increased by man. Currently, forestry use is significantly reducing the activity of slope processes and rinsing. The sediments that fill the bottoms of these forms are usually consist of silt or sandy lithofacies with massive, streaky or deformation horizons. They are characterised by a significant enrichment in organic matter which is typical for colluvial deposits of young glacial areas. The relatively high pH values result from the investigated erosional forms intersecting into sediments rich in calcium carbonate. Moreover, groundwater flowing from the moraine plateau may also be the source of basic components.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91183143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Long-term variability of water temperature and salinity at the Polish coast","authors":"M. Świątek","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The variability of surface water temperature and water salinity at the south coast of the Baltic in the years 1950–2015 was studied in the article. To that aim, monthly surface water temperature values in Świnoujście, Międzyzdroje, Kołobrzeg (from 1957), Władysławowo, Hel and Gdynia were used, as well as monthly water salinity values in Międzyzdroje, Władysławowo, Hel and Gdynia, all obtained from IMGW-PIB (Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute). Linear regression and Pearson’s simple correlation coefficient of individual monthly, seasonal and annual series of temperature and salinity values over time (in subsequent years) were used to analyse the temporal changes of the examined parameters. In the analysed period a rise in the annual water temperature was recorded in Międzyzdroje, Władysławowo, Hel and Gdynia, while the extent of the changes increased towards the east. There were also positive trends in temperature values in individual months. At the same time, there was a decrease in water salinity, which was also found to be most distinct in the eastern part of the coast. In Władysławowo, Hel and Gdynia, statistically significant drops occurred in nearly all months. During the months featuring statistically insignificant trends, the observed change trends were also negative. Concurrent water temperature increases and water salinity decreases consequently caused a decline in sea water surface density at the Polish Baltic coast.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76185724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Land use changes and landscape pattern dynamics of a peatland area under diversified human impact: the Grójec Valley (Central Poland)","authors":"B. Glina, Marcin Sykuła, Łukasz Mendyk","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The paper aims to assess the land use changes and the dynamics of the landscape pattern of the Grójec Valley in the scope of diverse anthropogenic impacts. The study site is located in the border of the Koło Basin and Kujawy Lakeland, Central Poland. This area was originally covered with wetlands. Since the beginning of the 20th century it has been influenced by intensive agricultural use, peat extraction and open-pit mining. The research is based on cartographic materials from 1941, 1981 and 2012. The most relevant finding was that in the first study period (1941–1981) the most common changes in land use (transformation of wetlands into grasslands with shrubs) took place. These were caused mainly by a change in hydrological conditions due to drainage for agricultural use (meadows and pastures) and peat extraction. The study confirmed that these land use changes significantly influenced the landscape structure in each of the analysed parameters (patch density and size, edge, shape and diversity metrics).","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79848249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding a continuous inland aeolian deposition: a closer look into a chronological and sedimentary record of the north-eastern European Sand Belt","authors":"E. Kalińska","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A belt of inland aeolian sand sediments termed the European Sand Belt (ESB) runs throughout Europe, and its western part has gained greater attention, while attention to the eastern part has been limited. Whereas clear aeolian–paleosol sequences that reflect colder–-armer phases are known from its western part, such alternation is practically undetectable in the eastern part. This study combines the available chronological and sedimentary data from the north-eastern part of the ESB, with a special focus on the Baltic State region. Here, aeolian deposition took place between 15.9±1.0 ka and 8.5±0.5 ka, almost instantly following a deglaciation and drainage of paleolakes, and thereafter practically without longer-term stability. Lack of paleosols is likely due to the prevalence of pioneer vegetation, reflecting dry and cold climate conditions, and thus giving limited opportunity for soil development.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82026863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Geostrophic wind variability in the 50–60°N zone over Europe: the role of mid-troposphere atmospheric circulation macro-forms","authors":"Michał Marosz, K. Kożuchowski","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Circulation in the mid-troposphere in moderate and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere can be characterised by the Vangenheim-Girs (VG) circulation macro-forms. The aim of the research was to analyse the VG macro-forms as a factor determining the general characteristics of the atmospheric circulation in mid-troposphere in the Euro-Atlantic region and low-troposphere airflow characteristics in the profile (zonal belt) crossing Central Europe from Ireland to Kazan in Russia (5°30’W–44°00’E). Alongside the VG macro-form calendar, ERA-INTERIM data were used. The utilised meteorological variables comprised 500hPa geopotential height, SLP and air temperature at 995 sigma level. The temporal scope of the research was 35 years (1981–2015) and the resolution was 24h (12.00 UTC). The circulation in the low-troposphere was characterised by the geostrophic wind vector characteristics directly resulting from SLP and air temperature fields. Subsequently, derived indices (e.g. wind direction stability) were used. The presented results indicate that the variability of anemological conditions at SLP in the area of 50–60°N over Europe is in direct connection with the mid-troposphere circulation features. The differences are statistically significant across nearly the entire research area. This includes the reversal of the dominant air flow direction in some areas. The greatest variability in geostrophic wind characteristics due to W, E and C VG macro-forms is revealed in the central and eastern part of the 50–60°N zone – between the southern Baltic Sea and the western border of Russia.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82284000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Rudowski, R. Wróblewski, J. Dworniczak, K. Szefler, B. Hac, Łukasz G. Gajewski
{"title":"Subaqueous geomorphology: options, tasks, needs","authors":"S. Rudowski, R. Wróblewski, J. Dworniczak, K. Szefler, B. Hac, Łukasz G. Gajewski","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2019-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2019-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The purpose of the paper is to present the potentialities of current non-invasive methods for bottom surveys, including cartometric presentation of its relief and structure in both marine and inland reservoirs. The paper presents examples of results obtained in the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk during surveys carried out at the bottom of seas, lakes and rivers with the use of the same apparatus: primarily, a multibeam echosounder (MBES) to obtain a digital terrain model (DTM); a side-scan sonar (SSS) to obtain a general image of the nature of the bottom (its “roughness”); and seismic profiling (sub-bottom profiler, sediment echo sounder [SES]) to recognise the structure of the bottom. The obtained results constitute a necessary basis for carrying out further specialist surveys (non-invasive or invasive) when needed. Current bottom survey options that use MBES, SSS and SES may be treated as subaqueous equivalents of the subaerial potentialities of a land surface survey using LiDaR and GPR (Ground Penetration Radar).","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82240837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Duczmal-Czernikiewicz, A. Choiński, M. Ptak, A. Muszyński
{"title":"Mineralogy and deformation structures in components of clastic sediments from the Morasko meteorite lake (Poland)","authors":"A. Duczmal-Czernikiewicz, A. Choiński, M. Ptak, A. Muszyński","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2018-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2018-0018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The paper presents a mineralogical analysis of sediments of the biggest lake in the Morasko Meteorite Reserve (Poland). The lake is filled by phytogenic sediments at the top, while at the bottom there are Neogene clays. The main components are: clay minerals in fine fraction and quartz and feldspars in coarse sandy fractions. The presence of disturbed ferrous zones suggests the existence of a dynamic factor that caused deformations in the sediments. Cavities, crevices, cracks, and traces of parching or fragmentation of mineral material can be interpreted as deformations related to the impact of meteorite fragments in non-consolidated soft sediments in the Morasko meteorite nature reserve. Meteorite fragments that left numerous deformed structures were most probably consituted meteorite debris that originated from the fragmentation of the meteorite before its impact.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84561185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An attempt at a typology of karst lakes in the Połaniec Basin (Małopolska Upland)","authors":"M. Stachura, Dariusz Wieczorek, A. Zieliński","doi":"10.2478/bgeo-2018-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/bgeo-2018-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The main goal of the paper is to attempt a typology of karst lakes in the Połaniec Basin (Małopolska Upland). The typology was conducted on the basis of a dependence analysis of several essential morphometric parameters of lake basins. The considered data comprised 23 lakes with respect to 15 morphometric features. The correlation analysis, mainly of a group of lakes located in single karst sinkholes, revealed that the length and width of basins are strongly correlated. It is also noticeable that basin shape determines lake volume, even though pools of similar water volume may differ in area. Moreover, an increase in the maximum depth of basins does not necessarily imply any increase in volume. Likewise, there is no prevalent dependence between basin area and maximum depth. The cluster analysis, among reasonable indications, generally identified a division of the considered lakes into two sets. One of the sets comprises Duży Staw and Dziki Staw, while the other consists of all the other lakes. Less frequent divisions into three indicated Duży Staw, Dziki Staw, and Czwarty Staw as the leading lakes. Divisions into 19–22 clusters were also suggested, but this does not seem to be reliable. As a consequence, the cluster analysis showed that Duży Staw and Dziki Staw stand out the most from the other lakes. This remainder constitutes rather close to each other, but not an ideally uniform group of lakes.","PeriodicalId":43256,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin of Geography-Physical Geography Series","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87825342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}