SEM Automated Mineralogy (SEM-AM) is an analytical system based on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with backscattered electron detector and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). This automated tool enables to quantify mineralogy, size and geometry of solid matter components. The paper presents a SEM-AM application in detection of mineralogical and textural sediment sorting on the example of a submarine gravity flow record from the Cergowa sandstones (Lower Oligocene) in the Polish Outer Carpathians. Analysis of high quality backscattered electron (BSE) imagery in combination with EDX spectra discriminates mineral phases in polished samples. These data are then processed by the mineral liberation analysis (MLA) software in order to extract size and shape information, and combine, compare and group components for further examination. Automated data extraction provides highly representative measurement statistics devoid of manual work bias. The Cergowa sandstones were prepared for the analysis as non-granular samples in coated thin sections and granular samples in epoxy mounts. The former samples provide mineralogical data whereas the latter additionally generate textural parameters, both essential in interpretation of variability of flow competence. Comparisons between samples from an individual bed and between different beds of the measured sections give insights into the spatial and temporal flow development at a given locality. On the other hand, a comparison of different sections and regions of the formation will provide basis for the reconstruction of submarine flow events throughout the sedimentary basin and contribute to the characterisation of the provenance areas. Highly detailed quantitative data generated by this procedure have great potential in helping to recognise complex relationships between mineralogical and textural sorting by depositional processes.

The road tunnel in Laliki was excavated in highly heterogeneous, severely tectonically damaged and mainly very weak rocks of the Western Carpathians flysch. In particular, the conditions were characterized by a high percentage of very weak laminated shale and weathered rock mass, an unfavorable and very steep slope of the rock layers and unstable hydrological conditions with outflows of water in loosened tectonic zones. That structure and properties of the rock mass highly uncertain. This paper describes the influence of geological engineering and geotechnical conditions on the primary lining of a main road tunnel. The deformation of the primary lining was analyzed in terms of the percentage share of sandstones and shale, geomechanical classifications RMR (Bieniawski 1989) and QTS (Tesar 1979), types of the primary lining and the use of rock bolts and micropiles. The analysis was preceded by characterization of geological engineering conditions and technological characterization of applied primary linings. Displacements of the primary lining, greater than acceptable, occurred several times in a top heading during tunneling. The primary lining was reinforced by additional rock bolts and wire mesh, a thicker layer of shotcrete and micropiles if deformation reached the emergency state for some types of linings and they didn't indicate any tendency for stabilization. The reinforcement was used until the deformation stabilization was achieved. In the most difficult conditions, the lining was reinforced by a longer micropile umbrella. Parameters for the primary lining were selected on the basis of ongoing geological engineering and geotechnical measurements, in accordance with NATM's principles. The rock mass around the tunnel in Laliki is an example of weak carrying capacity. The observed displacements in the rock mass indicate that the disturbed zone around the tunnel was heavily developed. The primary lining used in such conditions must bear a relatively high load capacity from overlying loosened material and therefore the lack of interaction with the surrounding rock mass should be assumed. The data obtained indicate that the use of the primary lining in the highly variable conditions in the Carpathian flysch requires accurate geological engineering and geotechnical analysis during the day-to-day process of tunneling in order to verify the projected assumptions. The primary linings should be reinforced as needed based on the results of geotechnical measurements, monitoring the interaction between the rock mass and the system of lining.