Polish Polar Research

The Bravaisberget Formation in Spitsbergen embraces an organic carbon-rich, clastic sequence that reflects a general shallow shelf development of the Middle Triassic depositional system in Svalbard . New observations and measurements of the type section of the formation at Bravaisberget in western Nathorst Land allow to present detailed lithostratigraphical subdivision of the formation, and aid to reconstruct its depositional history. The subdivision of the formation ( 209 m thick at type section) into the Passhatten, Somovbreen, and Van Keulenfjorden members is sustained after Mørk et al. (1999), though with new position of the boundary between the Passhatten and Somovbreen mbs. The Passhatten Mb is defined to embrace the black shale-dominated sequence that forms the lower and middle parts of the formation ( 160 m thick). The Somovbreen Mb ( 20 m thick) is confined to the overlying, calcite-cemented sequence of marine sandstones. The Van Keulenfjorden Mb ( 29 m thick) forms the topmost part of the formation composed of siliceous and dolomitic sandstones. The formation is subdivided into twelve informal units, out of which eight is defined in the Passhatten Mb (units 1 to 8), two in the Somovbreen Mb (units 9 and 10), and also two in the Van Keulenfjorden Mb (units 11 and 12). Units 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 contain noticeable to abundant phosphorite, and are interspaced by four black shale sequences (units 2, 4, 6, and 8). Unit 9 passes upwards gradually into the main sandstone sequence (unit 10) of the Somovbreen Mb. The base of the Van Keulenfjorden Mb is a discontinuity surface covered by thin phosphorite lag. The Van Keulenfjorden Mb consists of two superimposed sandstone units (units 11 and 12) that form indistinct coarsening-upward sequences. The Bravaisberget Fm records two consequent transgressive pulses that introduced high biological productivity conditions to the shelf basin. The Passhatten Mb shows pronounced repetition of sediment types resulting from interplay between organic-prone, fine-grained environments, and clastic bar environments that focused phosphogenesis. The lower part of the member (units 1 to 5) contains well-developed bar top sequences with abundant nodular phosphorite, which are under- and overlain by the bar side sequences grading into silt- to mud-shale. The upper part of the member (units 6 to 8) is dominated by mud-shale, showing the bar top to side sequence with recurrent phosphatic grainstones in its middle part. Maximum stagnation and deep-water conditions occurred during deposition of the topmost shale sequence (unit 8). Rapid shallowing trend terminated organic-rich environments of the Passhatten Mb, and was associated with enhanced phosphogenesis at base of the Somovbreen Mb (unit 9). Bioturbated sandstones of the Somovbreen Mb (unit 10) record progradation of shallow-marine clastic environments. The sequence of the Van Keulenfjorden Mb (units 11 and 12) was deposited in brackish environments reflecting closure of the Middle Triassic basin in western Svalbard .

This paper describes the weather conditions on the NE coast of Sørkappland (South Spitsbergen) during August 2005, and considers them in the context of the general synoptic situation over the North Atlantic . A comparison of local climates features for the East and West coast of southern Spitsbergen shows that the general atmospheric circulation and direct solar radiation in summer are the decisive factors affecting weather on the East coast. Foehn effects were observed during the study period. In the East, these were triggered by the westerly cyclonic situation and, in the West, by the easterly. The differences in the intensity of foehn effects may be explained by a specific relief of the Sørkappland peninsula.

The general objective of this research has been to identify the factors and conditions of migration of CaCO3 within glaciers and their marginal zones in Svalbard . Special attention has been paid to the cryochemical processes responsible for precipitation of calcium carbonate in icing (naled ice) formed near fronts of polythermal glaciers during winter. Estimates of the importance of those processes in respect of the general mineral mass transfer in the glacier system are attempted here. Field studies concerning the carbonate contents in proglacial sediments and icing fields were carried out in the Werenskioldbreen and the Elisebreen basins (S and NW Spitsbergen respectively). A functional model of CaCO3 migration in a glacier system is proposed which indicates the various paths of the mineral mass flow. Considerations on intensity of glacial processes permitted quantitative estimation of the particular components in respect to the Werenskioldbreen basin. Cryochemical processes do not appear to be of overriding importance in such migration but, clearly, they play a specific role in retaining CaCO3 in the proglacial zone on land. The crystalline forms present in the icings, which have many lattice defects, are very easily re-dissolved or removed by wind.