This paper presents a new simple and accurate frequency estimator of a sinusoidal signal based on the signal autocorrelation function (ACF). Such an estimator was termed as the reformed covariance for half-length autocorrelation (RC-HLA). The designed estimator was compared with frequency estimators well-known from the literature, such as the modified covariance for half-length autocorrelation (MC-HLA), reformed Pisarenko harmonic decomposition for half-length autocorrelation(RPHD-HLA), modified Pisarenko harmonic decomposition for half-length autocorrelation (MPHD-HLA), zero-crossing (ZC), and iterative interpolated DFT (IpDFT-IR) estimators. We determined the samples of the ACF of a sinusoidal signal disturbed by Gaussian noise (simulations studies) and the samples of the ACF of a sinusoidal voltage(experimental studies), calculated estimators based on the obtained samples, and computed the mean squared error(MSE) to compare the estimators. The errorswere juxtaposed with the Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB). The research results have shown that the proposed estimator is one of the most accurate, especially for SNR > 25 dB. Then the RC-HLA estimator errors are comparable to the MPHD-HLA estimator errors. However, the biggest advantage of the developed estimator is the ability to quickly and accurately determine the frequency based on samples collected from no more than five signal periods. In this case, the RC-HLA estimator is the most accurate of the estimators tested.

The Marhřgda Bed occurring at base of the Adventdalen Group in Sassenfjorden, Spitsbergen contains common ankerite–replaced belemnite skeletons. Petrographic, major element geochemical, and stable carbon and oxygen isotopic data indicate that the ankerite originated in a catagenic environment associated with thermal degradation of kerogenan d hydrocarbongen erationinthe sequence. It formed at maximum temperature of 150°C under burial of approx. 2 000 m, most probably during Paleogene filling and subsidence of the Central Spitsbergen Basin. Dissolution of biogenic calcite and precipitation of ankerite reflect extensive heat flow through the Adventdalen Group sequence related to the Cretaceous and Paleogene magmatic and orogenic activity in Svalbard.

Diagenetic carbonate deposits (concretions, cementation bodies and cementstone bands) commonly occur in organic carbon-rich sequence of the Agardhfjellet Formation (Upper Jurassic) in Spitsbergen . They are dominated by dolomite/ankerite and siderite. These deposits originated as a result of displacive cementation of host sediment in a range of post-depositional environments, from shallow subsurface to deep-burial ones. Preliminary results of the carbon and oxygen isotopic survey of these deposits in southern Spitsbergen (Lĺgkollane, Ingebrigtsenbukta, Reinodden, and Lidfjellet sections) show the δ13C values ranging between –13.0‰ and –1.8‰ VPDB, and the δ18O values between –16.0‰ and –7.7‰ VPDB. These results suggest that the major stage of formation of the carbonate deposits occurred during burial diagenesis under increased temperature, most probably in late diagenetic to early catagenic environments. Carbonate carbon for mineral precipitation was derived from dissolution of skeletal carbonate and from thermal decomposition of organic matter.

The organic carbon (OC)-rich, black shale succession of the Middle Triassic Bravaisberget Formation in Spitsbergen contains scattered dolomite-ankerite cement in coarser-grained beds and intervals. This cement shows growth-related compositional trend from non-ferroan dolomite (0–5 mol % FeCO3) through ferroan dolomite (5–10 mol % FeCO3) to ankerite (10–20 mol % FeCO3, up to 1.7 mol % MnCO3) that is manifested by zoned nature of composite carbonate crystals. The d13C (-7.3‰ to -1.8‰ VPDB) and d18O (-9.4‰ to -6.0‰ VPDB) values are typical for burial cements originated from mixed inorganic and organic carbonate sources. The dolomite-ankerite cement formed over a range of diagenetic and burial environments, from early post-sulphidic to early catagenic. It reflects evolution of intraformational, compaction-derived marine fluids that was affected by dissolution of biogenic carbonate, clay mineral and iron oxide transformations, and thermal decomposition of organic carbon (decarboxylation of organic acids, kerogen breakdown). These processes operated during Late Triassic and post-Triassic burial history over a temperature range from approx. 40°C to more than 100°C, and contributed to the final stage of cementation of the primary pore space of siltstone and sandstone beds and intervals in the OC-rich succession.

Ball-shaped concretions ("cannon balls") commonly occur in a marine, organic carbon-rich sedimentary sequence (Innkjegla Member) of the Carolinefjellet Formation (AptianAlbian) in Spitsbergen. The sedimentologic, petrographic and geochemical investigation of these concretions in the Kapp Morton section at Van Mijenfjorden gives insight into their origin and diagenetic evolution. The concretion bodies commenced to form in subsurface environment in the upper part of the sulphate reduction (SR) diagenetic zone. They resulted from pervasive cementation of uncompacted sediment enriched in framboidal pyrite by non-ferroan (up to 2 mol% FeCO3) calcite microspar at local sites of enhanced decomposition of organic matter. Bacterial oxidation of organic matter provided most of carbon dioxide necessary for concretionary calcite precipitation (δ13CCaCO3 ≈ -21%VPDB). Perfect ball-like shapes of the concretions originated at this stage, reflecting isotropic permeability of uncompacted sediment. The concretion bodies cracked under continuous burial as a result of amplification of stress around concretions in a more plastic sediment. The crack systems were filled by non-ferroan (up to 5 mol% FeCO3) calcite spar and blocky pyrite in deeper parts of the SR-zone. This cementation was associated with impregnation of parts of the concretion bodies with microgranular pyrite. Bacterial oxidation of organic matter was still the major source of carbon dioxide for crack-filling calcite precipitation (δ13CCaCO3 ≈ -19% VPDB). At this stage, the cannon-ball concretions attained their final shape and texture. Subsequent stages of concretion evolution involved burial cementation of rudimentary pore space with carbonate minerals (dolomite/ankerite, siderite, calcite) under increased temperature (δ18OCa,Mg,FeCO3 ≈-14% VPDB). Carbon dioxide for mineral precipitation was derived from thermal degradation of organic matter and from dissolution of skeletal carbonates (δ13CCa,Mg,FeCO3≈ - 8‰ VPDB). Kaolinite cement precipitated as the last diagenetic mineral, most probably during post−Early Cretaceous uplift of the sequence.

The paper presents results of measuring attenuation coefficient of the Al-20 wt.% Zn alloy (AlZn20) inoculated with different grain

refiners. During experiments the melted alloys were doped with Al-Ti3-C0.15 refining master alloy. Basing on measurements performed

by Krautkramer USLT2000 device with 1MHz ultrasound wave frequency it was stated that grain refinement reduces the attenuation

coefficient by about 20-25%. However, the examined alloys can be still classified as the high-damping ones of attenuation greater than 150

dB/m.

The paper is devoted to grain-refinement of the medium-aluminium zinc based alloys (MAl-Zn). The system examined was sand cast Zn10

wt. %. Al binary alloy (Zn-10Al) doped with commercial Al-3 wt. % Ti – 0.15 wt. % C grain refiner (Al-3Ti-0.15C GR). Basing on the

measured attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic wave it was stated that together with significantly increased structure fineness damping

decreases only by about 10 – 20%. The following examinations should establish the influence of the mentioned grain-refinement on

strength and ductility of MAl-Zn cast alloys.

The subject of the paper is structural stability of the Zn-26 wt.% Al binary alloys doped with 2.2 wt.% Cu or 1.6 wt.% Ti addition. The structural stability of Zn-Al alloys with increased Al content is connected with stability of solid solution of zinc in aluminium α', which is the main component of these alloys microstructure. Such a solution undergoes phase transformations which are accompanied, among others, by changes in dimensions and strength properties. The structural stability of the ZnAL26Cu2.2 and ZnAl26Ti1.6 alloys was investigated using XRD examinations during long term natural ageing after casting, as well as during long term natural ageing after super-saturation and quenching. On the basis of the performed examinations it was stated that small Ti addition to the binary ZnAl25 alloy, apart from structure refinement, accelerates decomposition of the primary α' phase giving stable structure in a shorter period of time in comparison with the alloy without Ti addition. Addition of Ti in amount of 1.6 wt.%, totally replacing Cu, allows obtaining stable structure and dimensions and allows avoiding structural instability caused by the metastable ε−CuZn4 phase present in the ZnAl26Cu2.2 alloy.