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Geomorphology

Volume XXIII |

Clarity of the Black Sea – historical measurements of Secchi Depth

Abstract: Water transparency is a primary indicator used to evaluate the status of marine ecosystems. Although a subjective measure, Secchi Depth (ZSD) is one of the “oldest” and most widely used optical parameters in studies that focus on surface water clarity, with probably millions of observations available in the last century. As recent satellite observa-tions do not cover such extended periods from the past, a comprehensive understanding of the spatio-temporal dy-namics of water transparency requires consistent historical data. In this regard, the present study aims to integrate in-formation from archives of in situ ZSD measurements available for the entire Black Sea. Several potential sources were investigated. Among them, two were identified to have historical measurements of ZSD in the Black Sea, SeaDataNet and Black Sea Ecosystem Processes and Forecasting / Operational Database Management System (NATO SfP ODBMS). A database with all available observations was aggregated for this study, containing a total of 5100 records between 1960 and 2016. The analysis of the spatial variability of ZSD was performed based on a square grid of 30 km x 30 km covering the entire Black Sea region. For each cell, statistics such as the average and the number of ZSD measurements were calculated. Moreover, the spatial and temporal homogeneity of the in-situ observations are assessed and dis-cussed.

Volume XXIII |

Gully erosion processes and their management in the Trivale Forest Park, Pitești city, Romania

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyze gully erosion processes and their management in the Trivale Forest Park. Although the inclusion of gullies in the category of risk phenomena is still debated, due to their spatial extent and evolution, both longitudinally and vertically, they can pose concern to woody vegetation by altering slope stability. This is the case of the Trivale Forest Park, situated in Pitești city, where gully erosion has been affecting tree growth and recreational activities, such as hiking or cycling, which has led to the implementation of erosion control measures and hydrotechnical structures. By carrying out field observations and cartographic analyses, the research has/proposes/seeks to support two objectives: firstly, to establish the impact of erosion processes on the valleys’ and slopes’ balance by evaluating the type of erosion processes and resulting features and secondly, to assess the exposure of the Trivale Forest area to erosional forms, by using GIS and the frequency ratio (FR) techniques. The results of the multicriteria analysis highlighted, in good agreement with the field observations, the areas most susceptible to slope erosion processes.

Volume XXII |

Major and minor elements contribution to discriminate between karst drainage watersheds and to outline underground hydrological connections. An example from Sohodol Valley (Vâlcan Mountains, Romania)

Abstract: Water samples for chemical analyses have been collected from impenetrable karst springs and from water flows intercepted by caves within the area of Sohodol valley. The analyzed inorganic constituents were noticed to belong to two distinct categories. One category included solutes of variable concentrations, likely related to local allochtonous inputs (Al, NO3) and to local occurrences of decaying organic matter (PO4, NO3), such solutes being hence irrelevant in terms of regional patterns of rock weathering. The other category of solutes (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Sr, Ba, Rb, Fe, HCO3 and SiO2) proved to have concentrations that did not differ between two interconnected water flows (e.g., impenetrable karst springs that discharged from a common water body; a cave stream connected to an impenetrable karst spring). Accordingly, the concentrations of this second group of constituents represented reliable chemical fingerprints of a particular karst watershed. And implicitly, water flows having contrasting concentrations of such solutes were conjectured to belong to distinct karst watersheds, which likely differed in terms of chemical composition of the karstifiable rocks, and/or of the impervious rocks which provided allochtonous recharge to the concerned karst drainage systems.

Volume XXI |

Characteristics of volcanic mountains morphostructure of Transcarpathia, Ukraine

Abstract: The study presents a detailed geomorphological characterization of the volcanic mountains of Transcarpathia. Materials of previous geological researches, including the Transcarpathian geological exploration expedition, supplemented by the results of our own field researches, are systematized. Based on the analysis of relief forms and taking into account geomorphological and tectonic factors, Vyhorlat-Gutyn morphostructure of the second order is divided into morphostructures of the third order: Poprychny, Antaliv-Synyatska, Velykyi Dil, Tupy and Oash, which in turn are divided into morphostructures of lower orders. The Mukachevo morphostructure of the second order is composed of the following morphostructures of the third order: Beregovo hills, Kosino-Biganski hills, volcanic remains (Shalanka, Chorna Gora). Based on a detailed analysis of the collected materials, it was determined that the main role in shaping the modern relief of volcanic mountains belongs to channel and temporary water flows and weathering processe; consequently, river valleys and weathering surfaces were formed, which are the most important morphosculptures. On the basis of morphological and structural-lithological approach, as well as own field research, a geomorphological map of the volcanic mountains mountains of Transcarpathia on a scale of 1: 100,000 was compiled.

Volume XXI |

Features of the morphology and dynamics of the shallow-island part of the Dolgaya Spit (the Sea of Azov)

Abstract: The relief of large coastal accumulative bodies, including cuspate spits, is an important subject in scientific and applied research. A characteristic feature of similar accumulative bodies is a shallow underwater part. The aim of this work is to study the shallow-island part structure of the Dolgaya Spit (the Sea of Azov) and to identify the natural mechanism that determines both the variability of accumulative body over short time intervals and the high stability of the geosystem as a whole. Digital elevation models (DEM) for the studied area were built on the basis of remote sensing data (Sentinel-2). It is established that the length of the shallow-island part is about 20 km. There are shelly shoals and islands with a complex configuration and relief. Sea level, the wind-wave regimes and the sediment load are the main factors that determine the dynamic equilibrium of the shallow-island part of the Dolgaya Spit and its relief. The Dolgaya Spit has distinctive features of a free accumulative body influenced by longshore sediment flow. The configuration of its surface part is characteristic of many cuspate spits formed by two sediment streams. But the shallow-island part develops under the influence of alternating transverse movements of water masses and waves from opposite sectors. The coexistence of signs of the near-shore bar and cuspate spit provides grounds for classifying the Dolgaya Spit not as a cuspate accumulative body (in particular as Azov-type spit) but as a separate type developing under joint action of transverse and longshore sediment flows.