CHARAKTERYSTYKA UTWORÓW PYŁOWYCH W PROFILU KOŃCZYCE (KOTLINA OŚWIĘCIMSKA)

Abstract

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SILT SEDIMENTS AT THE KOŃCZYCE PROFILE (KOTLINA OŚWIĘCIMSKA)Abstract. The paper presents a characterisation of the properties of loess-like sediments constituting the upper part of the Quaternary profile at Kończyce (Kotlina Oświęcimska). Until now, their age was usually described as the pleniglacial of the Vistulian Glaciation. The performed analyses comprised: texture analysis, organic C content, CaCO3 content, Fe content, pH determination. Mineralogical analyses were performed for selected samples, also for the fraction separated magnetically. Material compaction was measured and the colour of material was examined in respect of the reflection of pedogenetic processes. The investigations allowed distinguishing at least one zone of clay illuviation that may represent a buried Albeluvisol. A strong influence of gleyic processes of oxidation and reduction was described. Those features may also be a result of secondary (diagenetic) processes and, along with the effects of frost processes visible in the profile, hinder the identification of buried soil horizons. In the light of the presented results, it seems that the series of loess-like sediments at Kończyce cannot be interpreted as originated only during the last cold stage of the Pleistocene.