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A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2022) | Viewed by 24086

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Dr. Marianna Kulkova

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Department of Geography, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, 191186 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Interests: geochemistry; radiocarbon dating; paleoclimatic reconstructions; lake sedimentation; petrography; XRF analysis; stable isotopes; mineralogy; geoecology
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Prof. Dr. Dmitry Subetto

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Department of Geography, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, 191186 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Interests: paleoclimatology; geochemistry; geography; paleolimnology; lake sedimentogenesis; geomorphology; lithology; geoecology; marine geology
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Dear Colleagues,

The geochemical characteristics of environments can be developed from geochemical studies of sedimentary rocks. Different geochemical indicators can be used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction of processes of sedimentation. Trace and major elements in sedimentary rocks are extremely sensitive to paleoenvironmental changes, making them informative for studying the paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, as well as ancient and modern anthropogenic activity. The distribution of pollutants in sediments is important for modern geoecological processes. Isotopic research of sediments is essential for paleoreconstructions, geochronology, and ecology. We also welcome contributions that address the application of different analytic methods for the study of geochemistry and mineralogy of sediment processes.

For this Special Issue, we invite authors to submit papers on topics related to geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology of natural and anthropogenic sediments and environmental conditions of their formation.

Dr. Marianna Kulkova
Prof. Dr. Dmitry Subetto
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

geochemistry
sediments
paleoclimate
pollution
paleoenvironment
geochronology
isotopes
geoecology
anthropogenic activity

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Related Special Issue

Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments, 2nd Edition in Minerals (5 articles)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 177 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments”

by Marianna Kulkova and Dmitry Subetto

Minerals 2023, 13(5), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13050709 - 22 May 2023

Viewed by 1176

Abstract

The geochemical characteristics of environments can be determined via geochemical studies of sedimentary rocks [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

15 pages, 2449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemical Records of the Late Glacial and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Changes from the Lake Kaskadnoe-1 Sediments (East Sayan Mountains, South Siberia)

by Elena V. Bezrukova, Alena A. Amosova and Victor M. Chubarov

Minerals 2023, 13(3), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13030449 - 22 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1707

Abstract

Long-term and continuous lake sedimentary records offer enormous potential for interpreting paleoenvironmental histories and for understanding how terrestrial environments might respond to current global warming conditions. However, sedimentary records that contain the Late Glacial and Holocene epochs are scarce in deep continental high-mountain regions. A 150 cm sediment core was obtained from Lake Kaskadnoe-1 in the East Sayan Mountains (South Siberia, Russia, 2080 m above sea level), containing a unique record of the last 13,200 calibrated years (cal yr). Chronological control was obtained by AMS 14C dating. Here, we show the first detailed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) geochemical record, with the goal of broadening our knowledge of the paleoenvironmental history of the East Sayan Mountains in the past. The determination of major compounds and trace elements (Sr, Zr) was performed from each centimeter of the Lake Kaskadnoe-1 sediment core. The inorganic geochemistry indicates significant variations in elemental composition between two major lithological units of the sediment core: the Late Glacial dense grey silty clay (150–144 cm), and the upper interval (0–143 cm) mostly consisted of dark biogenic-terrigenous silt, accumulated during the Holocene. The Late Glacial sediments accumulated 13,200–12,800 cal yr BP are characterized by high values of CIA, Mg/Al, K/Al, and Mn/Fe, and are depleted in Si/Al, Fe/Al, and Ca/Al. During the Younger Dryas cold episode, LOI enrichment was probably caused by the presence of less oxic conditions, as seen in lower Mn/Fe values, due to a longer period of lake ice-cover. The Early Holocene (12,000–7500 cal yr BP) is associated with a decreasing trend of mineral matter with fluvial transport to Lake Kaskadnoe-1 (low K/Al, Mg/Al) and stronger chemical weathering in the lake basin. The increase in Ti/Al, K/Al and CIA values over the last 7500 years suggests an increase in the terrigenous input into the lake. Low LOI values can be possibly explained by the presence of less dense vegetation cover in the basin. In summary, our data indicate that the geochemical indices and selected elemental ratios mirror the sedimentation conditions that were triggered by environmental and climate changes during the Late Glacial and Holocene. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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14 pages, 2695 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Mercury in the Water-Suspended Matter-Bottom Sediments System of the Lake Onego Water Area

by Victor Malov, Dmitry Subetto, Vera Strakhovenko, Ekaterina Ovdina and Natalia Belkina

Minerals 2022, 12(11), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12111410 - 6 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1865

Abstract

This paper presents for the first time data on the lateral distribution of total mercury in the water-suspended matter-bottom sediments system for the entire water area of Lake Onego, the second largest lake in Europe. The patterns of the total mercury vertical distribution in two types of bottom sediments stratification, have been established. The total mercury content in the Lake Onego water averages 0.32 ± 0.07 μg/L. The most common form of mercury in water is dissolved+colloid, with the exception of water samples from the Kondopoga and Povenetsky Bays. In the material of the sedimentation traps, the mercury content is 0.5 ± 0.3 μg/g, and in the upper and lower parts of the bottom sediments section is 0.067 ± 0.003 and 0.041 ± 0.001 μg/g, respectively. The paper considers the factors responsible for the mercury content increasing from the bottom sediments up through the sections. These factors include anthropogenic pollution, migration of Hg and its redeposition at the geochemical barrier together with Fe and Mn. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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17 pages, 9614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lipid Biomarker and Stable Isotopic Profiles through Late Carboniferous–Early Triassic of the Deepest Well MS-1 in the Junggar Basin, Northwest China

by Shuncun Zhang, Tao Wang, Hui Guo, Shengyin Zhang and Bo Chen

Minerals 2022, 12(10), 1299; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12101299 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1888

Abstract

The Carboniferous–Triassic period was an important stage of global sea–land transformation, with coal formation in the Carboniferous, biological extinction at the end of the Permian, and global drought in the Triassic. The MS-1 well in the Mosuowan High of the Junggar Basin is the deepest well drilled in Northwestern China. In this paper, we investigate the sedimentary environment and climate evolution of the Mosuowan area in the central Junggar Basin during the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian by the petrothermal, lipid biomarker, and isotopic composition of mud shale core samples, and explore the tectonic–climatic events and Central Asian orogenic belt evolution driving the sedimentary environment. The study shows that the organic matter from the Upper Carboniferous to the Lower Permian is at a mature stage, but biomarkers maintained the primary information although the organic matter was subjected to thermal evolution. In the late Carboniferous period (Tamugan Formation), the study area was a closed remnant sea with a relatively humid climate, triggering lush terrestrial vegetation and high organic carbon content in the sediments, which had the potential to evolve into natural gas. During the Xiazijie Formation of the Middle Permian, tectonic activity shifted to the subsidence period, and the salinity of the water decreased after a large input of fresh water. The lake basin area expanded, and the content of aquatic organisms continued to increase. As the Lower Permian stratigraphy is missing, this sea–land transition seems to jump. The low and upper Urho Formations of the Middle–Upper Permian are a deltaic foreland deposit, and geochemical indicators show an overall lake retreat process with a continuous increase in organic matter content of terrestrial origin. The lithologic assemblage of the Triassic Baikouquan Formation is braided river deltaic sedimentation with migration of deposition centers of the lake basin. In conclusion, the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian period was influenced by global changes, Paleo-Asian Ocean subduction, and continental splicing, which resulted in a continuous increase in terrestrial organic matter, water desalination, and oxidation-rich sediments in the Mosuowan region, but the P–T biological mass extinction event was not recorded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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13 pages, 2939 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metals in Lake Sediments as Indicators of Human Activities in Prehistory: Case Study of the Southeastern Baltic, Kamyshovoe Lake

by Olga Druzhinina, Laura Gedminienė and Kasper van den Berghe

Minerals 2022, 12(10), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12101216 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1800

Abstract

This paper presents the results of geochemical research on the Kamyshovoe Lake sediments (Kaliningrad oblast, Russian Federation). The study of Pb, Ni, Zn, As, Co and Cu concentration and enrichment factors (EF) combined with the results of the lithological, geochronological, magnetic susceptibility and microcharcoal studies revealed possible anthropogenic sources of metals in southeastern Baltic lake sediments from the Neolithic to the Medieval period. Increasing Co EF value and peaks of the Pb EF in Kamyshovoe Lake sediments, starting from ~6000 cal yr BP in the Neolithic, probably show the growing role and usage of metals as dyes and fixatives. Since ~3100 cal yr BP, in the end of the Bronze Age, a simultaneous increase in the content of indicators of metallurgical production Pb, Ni, Zn and As, coinciding with growth of the microcharcoal curve, can show a growing demand for metal objects in the southeastern Baltic region and the input of the local or regional ancient metallurgy into the metal pollution of the lake sediments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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16 pages, 6394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Major Factors Controlling the Elemental Composition of Al-Kharrar Lagoon Bottom Sediments, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

by Ibrahim M. Ghandour, Ammar Mannaa, Omar Alharbi, Alaa A. Masoud and Mohammed H. Aljahdali

Minerals 2022, 12(9), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12091096 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1891

Abstract

Bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar Lagoon, Rabigh area, Saudi Arabia were analyzed for mineralogical (26 samples) and major oxides, minor, and trace elements (46 samples). The prime objective is to document the controlling factors of the mineralogical and chemical composition of the lagoon bottom sediments. Hierarchical cluster (HCA) and the principal component (PCA) analyses are used to disclose the degree of similarities among elements to distinguish them into statistically significant groups. Results clarified the interplay of terrestrial sediment influx through the temporarily active Wadi Rabigh, hydrological regime and the autochthonous biogenic sedimentation, and to a lesser extent rare anthropogenic influence that impacted the lagoon sediments. The spatial distribution of minerals shows a southward increase in the siliciclastic-related minerals (quartz, clay minerals, k-feldspars, and plagioclase along with traces of amphiboles), whereas carbonate minerals (high Mg-calcite and aragonite) dominate the northern sector of the lagoon in areas far from the influence of detrital influx. The concentrations levels of oxides, minor, and trace elements display spatial variability. Three main distinctive elemental groups were delineated appraising the analysis of the elemental interrelationships and associated statistical analysis. The first group includes the positively correlated SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MnO, MgO, K₂O, Na₂O, V, Cr, Ni, Zn, Rb, and Ba, which are concentrated in the southern sector of the lagoon. The second group is the carbonate-related elements (CaO and Sr) that dominate the northern sector. The distribution patterns of P₂O₅ and Cu varied highly across the lagoon. Enrichment factors revealed moderate levels of Cu in some sites supporting the anthropogenic source. The results showed the hospitable bottom ecological status of the lagoon despite local anthropogenic stressors such as an influx of flood water that contain a mixture of lithogenic and dissolved Cu from local farming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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22 pages, 10057 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Geochemical Indication of Functional Zones at the Archaeological Sites of Eastern Europe

by Marianna Kulkova

Minerals 2022, 12(9), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12091075 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1863

Abstract

The article considers a new approach for determining the functional zones of the prehistoric archaeological sites in Eastern Europe by the method of geochemical indication: the use of mathematical statistics for processing the geochemical data of cultural deposits at archaeological sites, and the identification of groups of interrelated chemical elements and compounds that reflects the processes of natural sedimentation and anthropogenic activity. It makes it possible to separate the lithological and anthropogenic components. This approach is important for the identification of geochemical element groups associated with different functional zones. The reconstructions were conducted at the Neolithic, Early Metal Age, and the Bronze-Early Iron Age sites in Eastern Europe. Abnormal concentrations of the association (P₂O_5antr, CaO_antr and Sr_antr) in sediments are attributed to zones of accumulation of bone remains. Anomalous concentrations of a group of elements (K₂O_antr, Rb_antr) in deposits are associated with wood ash and fireplaces, ash residues from ritual activities, and fires. The group of elements (Ba, MnO, C_org) reflects the accumulation of humus and organic remains, and can characterize areas with food residues, skins, and rotten wood. With the help of the distribution of the main lithological elements (SiO₂, Al₂O₃) in sediments, it is possible to reconstruct the paleorelief at the sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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16 pages, 1552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Features of Arsenic Distribution in the Soils of Potash Mines

by Tatiana Karavaeva, Elena Menshikova, Pavel Belkin and Vyacheslav Zhdakaev

Minerals 2022, 12(8), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12081029 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2077

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to analyse the distribution of arsenic in the soils of the Verkhnekamskoe potassium salt deposit (Perm Krai, Russia). The danger of arsenic pollution is determined by its high toxicity and carcinogenic hazard. Being a technophilic element, arsenic enters the environment primarily as a result of mining activities. Mining and processing sites for arsenic-containing ores are the most prone to technophilic arsenic accumulation. Solid wastes from potash production also contain elevated concentrations of arsenic. The content of arsenic in soils was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical methods were used to analyse the features of arsenic distribution in soils of background areas and potash mining areas near production facilities. Three types of landscapes were studied within each territory, which were each distinguished by the leading processes of substance migration. Arsenic concentrations in both the background areas and the potash mining territories vary considerably, ranging from n × 10⁻¹ to n × 10. The study found no statistically significant differences in arsenic concentrations in soils of potash mining areas and background areas. Arsenic concentrations in soils from various types of landscapes also do not differ statistically. Arsenic concentrations in soils of saline areas were found to be higher than in the rest of the territories. Outside of saline areas, the identified patterns of arsenic distribution in the soils of the Verkhnekamskoe potassium salt deposit indicate that potash operations are not a determinant in the technophilic accumulation of arsenic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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18 pages, 7476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paleoenvironmental and Bio-Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of the Cretaceous Pelagic Carbonates of Eastern Tethys, Sulaiman Range, Pakistan

by Shuja Ullah, Irfan U. Jan, Muhammad Hanif, Khalid Latif, Mohibullah Mohibullah, Mahnoor Sabba, Aqsa Anees, Umar Ashraf and Hung Vo Thanh

Minerals 2022, 12(8), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12080946 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2759

Abstract

The Cretaceous pelagic carbonate succession, i.e., Goru Formation was studied in the Chutair Section, Sulaiman Range, representing part of the eastern Tethys for the paleoenvironment and bio-sequence stratigraphy. Eight planktonic foraminiferal biozones are identified which include: 1. Muricohedbergella planispira Interval Zone; 2. Ticinella primula Interval Zone; 3. Biticinella breggiensis Interval Zone; 4. Rotalipora appenninica Interval Zone; 5. Rotalipora cushmani Total Range Zone; 6. Whiteinella archeocretacea Partial Range Zone; 7. Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica Total Range Zone; and 8. Marginotruncana sigali Partial Range Zone representing Albian-Turonian age. The petrographic studies revealed five microfacies: 1. Radiolarians-rich wacke-packestone microfacies; 2. Radiolarians-rich wackestone microfacies; 3. Planktonic foraminiferal wacke-packestone microfacies; 4. Planktonic foraminiferal wackestone microfacies; and 5. Planktonic foraminiferal packestone microfacies; indicating deposition of the Goru Formation in outer-ramp to deep basinal settings. Based on the facies variations and planktonic foraminiferal biozones, the 2nd and 3rd order cycles are identified, which further include six transgressive and five regressive system tracts. The sea level curve of the Goru Formation showed fluctuation between outer-ramp and deep-basin, showing the overall transgression in the 2nd order cycle in the study area, which coincides with Global Sea Level Curve; however, the 3rd order cycle represents the local tectonic control during deposition of the strata. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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11 pages, 1105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemical Study of the Iron Age Settlement Occupational Layer and the Early Roman Time Agricultural Layer at Voorthuizen, The Netherlands

by Olga Druzhinina, Laura Gedminienė and Kasper van den Berghe

Minerals 2022, 12(3), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12030373 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2274

Abstract

The application of geochemical analysis in archaeology provides a better understanding of ancient human activities. This paper presents the results of geochemical multi-element, LOI, MS, and geochronological analyses of a cultural layer at the Voorthuizen (The Netherlands) archaeological site. The study has revealed a difference in the geochemical composition of an occupational surface in the Iron Age settlement and an early Roman Time agricultural horizon. The former is enriched in Ba, Sr, Rb, Th, Cl, and Mg, while the latter displays elevated P, Pb, Ni, Mn, and V values. The study has provided a deeper insight into the agricultural techniques applied at the Voorthuizen site and on the so-called Celtic Fields, known as ancient field systems dating from the same period and widespread throughout north-west Europe. It seems that household waste was not used as a fertilizer at Voorthuizen, while the application of manure is characteristic of Celtic Fields. However, phosphorous values in the Voorthuizen agricultural horizon are comparable to those in the Celtic Fields, suggesting similar sources of P in both cases. Elevated Si and “mobile” Fe, Mn, V, Pb, As, and Sn, along with higher MS measurements, are indicative of the use of extra mineral matter for the fertilization of the Voorthuizen ancient arable field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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19 pages, 3201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elemental Enrichment in Shallow Subsurface Red Sea Coastal Sediments, Al-Shuaiba, Saudi Arabia: Natural vs. Anthropogenic Controls

by Ibrahim M. Ghandour and Mohammed H. Aljahdali

Minerals 2021, 11(8), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11080898 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2618

Abstract

Geochemical analysis of the 23 sediment samples collected from a short (0.6 m long) core retrieved from the coastal creek that was previously connecting the northern and southern Al-Shuaiba Lagoons, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, was accomplished to assess the elemental enrichment levels and the natural and anthropogenic driving forces for this enrichment. Statistical analysis and upcore variation in elemental concentrations enabled subdivision of the core formally into three units, lower, middle, and upper. The enriched elements in the lower and middle units display poor to negative correlations with the enriched elements in the upper unit. The lower unit is enriched in elements (Mo, As, U, and Re) suggesting deposition under anoxic conditions, possibly related to the Medieval Climate Anomaly. The middle unit is enriched in the carbonate-related constituents (CaCO₃, Ca, and Sr). The upper unit is enriched in elements that co-vary significantly with Al suggesting increased terrigenous supply associated with the construction of the road between the two lagoons. The enrichment of elements in the lower and middle units is naturally driven, whereas the enrichment of lithogenic elements in the upper unit, though of geogenic origin, is induced after the road construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment and Geochemistry of Sediments)

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