New data on picritic rocks from the Poniky area are presented in this contribution. In addition to the major mafic minerals (clinopyroxene, kaersutite, phlogopite), spinels, Sr-rich apatite (up to 6.4 wt.% SrO), and sodalite are also described. Sodalite is documented for the first time in the Central Western Carpathians, and together with the mineralogical and whole-rock compositions, it confirms the alkaline character of these rocks. Petrological data, including REE, show that they are equivalent to the Cretaceous volcanic rocks occurring in the Fatric Unit as well as to picritic rocks of the teschenite-picrite association occurring in the External Western Carpathians. The high MgO content (>18 wt.%) allows these rocks to be classified as meimechites.
The Konkian-Sarmatian transition represents a major interval of biotic turnover and paleoenvironmental change in the Eastern Paratethys. This study investigates the upper Konkian and Lower Sarmatian deposits penetrated by well #20 on the western Kerch Peninsula (Crimea) using integrated analyses of benthic foraminifera, calcareous nannoplankton, mollusks, ostracods and rare planktic foraminifera. Three successive benthic foraminiferal assemblages were distinguished. The lower Konkian interval is characterized by assemblages containing Spiroloculina konkensis, Quinqueloculina minakovae group, and Elphidium kudakoense, together with the mollusks Limacina konkensis and L. andrussovi. The upper Konkian interval is dominated by Elphidium horridum and associated with Obsoletiformes lithopodolicus ruthenicus and Musculus sarmaticus. Early Sarmatian interval is marked by the appearance and common occurrence of Varidentella reussi, Articularia articulinoides, Articulina sarmatica, and Elphidium reginum. The transitional phase, termed the Konkian-Sarmatian Conversion Time (KSCT), represents a process of gradual basin reorganization. It is characterized by an abrupt decline in stenohaline elements occurring concurrently with the emergence of transitional mollusc and benthic foraminiferal species that appear in the late Konkian and span into the early phase of the Early Sarmatian. Calcareous nannoplankton assemblages containing Orthorhabdus rugosus, Cyclicargolithus floridanus, and common Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus, together with the absence of Sphenolithus heteromorphus, support assignment of the Konkian deposits to the NN6 Zone. The Early Sarmatian interval is characterized by abundant Braarudosphaera bigelowii, B. bigelowii ssp. parvula, and Holodiscolithus macroporus. The integrated microfossil and mollusc record documents a distinct turnover in biotic assemblages across the Konkian-Sarmatian transition and enables reliable correlation of the studied succession with regional Eastern Paratethyan stratigraphic schemes. The results contribute to a better understanding of the timing and character of biotic changes preceding and accompanying the establishment of Sarmatian environments.
The area between the Tatry and Branisko mountain ranges in northeastern Slovakia represents the most extensive territory covered by Paleogene sediments within the Internal Western Carpathians. In order to compile a tectonic map of the pre-Cenozoic basement, the locations at which the basement was present on the surface were analysed in detail to determine their tectonic affiliation. The Havran structure, previously classified as Fatricum, has been reclassified as Veporicum in the eastern part of the Tatry Mts. The rock complexes in the Branisko Mts. that were previously classified as part of the Tatric tectonic unit are now considered an integral part of the Veporicum. The pre-Cenozoic basement of the studied area comprises the Fatricum, Veporicum and Hronicum. The Mesozoic sediments of Fatric tectonic unit occur south of the surface outcrops of Oravic sediments. South of this, the pre-Cenozoic basement contains the Veporicum and Hronicum tectonic units.
The Špačince-4 and Dubové-2 wells in the Blatné sub-basin of the Danube Basin were integrated with SP/RT logs and seismic profiles to refine Badenian–Pannonian (Langhian–Tortonian) stratigraphy and basin evolution. The study integrates core-facies, provenance, XRF, well-log and seismic interpretations with reinterpreted data from, in total, 29 foraminiferal, 41 calcareous-nannofossil and 16 palynological samples. Calcareous nannofossils document NN4–NN6 zones, while planktonic foraminifera constrain parts of the succession to CPN7–CPN8. Key markers include Orbulina suturalis, Globorotalia bykovae, Sphenolithus heteromorphus, ?Helicosphaera ampliaperta and Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus >7 μm. The succession is mainly lower to upper Badenian, whereas Sarmatian–Pannonian deposits are inferred from upper log-defined and seismic intervals. Špačince-4 records basal coarse-clastic and volcaniclastic deposits passing upward into marine gravity-flow and suspension-dominated facies; Dubové-2 preserves a thinner marine succession above pre-Neogene basement. Agglutinated morphogroups are locally compatible with bathyal-equivalent conditions where preservation permits, while Bulimina–Bolivina–Uvigerina-rich assemblages are consistent with enhanced organic flux and locally reduced oxygen availability. Phytoclast-rich residues indicate terrestrial input. Seismic data reveal an asymmetric half-graben bounded by listric normal faults above a low-angle detachment, with Badenian growth strata overlain by Sarmatian onlap and subhorizontal Pannonian post-rift deposits. Overall, the succession records Badenian syn-rift sedimentation followed by Sarmatian–Pannonian shallowing and deltaic–lacustrine–fluvial infilling.
The biological removal and recovery of iron from actual mine water were carried out using mining influenced water (MIW) sourced from the Smolník mine site in Slovakia. The oxidation of ferrous iron was improved by utilizing native acidophilic microbial communities, resulting in more than 99 % iron removal within 30 hours under acidic conditions. A stepwise treatment process – incorporating aeration, microbial oxidation, and controlled pH adjustment – facilitated the formation of iron precipitates, including schwertmannite and ferrihydrite. Elemental and structural analyses showed that these biologically formed precipitates contained low levels of arsenic, complying with regulatory standards for pigment applications. Overall, the findings demonstrate a sustainable approach that not only removes contaminants but also enables the recovery of valuable materials.
