Geological setting and sedimentary characteristics of the coversands distributed in the western part of the Blonie glaciolacustrine basin (Central Poland) - Preliminary results

Abstract

The coversands distributed in the Blonie glaciolacustrine basin, west of Warsaw (Central Poland) were investigated. Textural features including grain size, rounding and frosting of quartz grains and mineralogical-petrographic composition in the sandy fractions (0.5-0.8 and 0.8-1.0 mm) were examined and the types, dynamics, regime and variation in processes during the formation of the coversands were determined. The sands are characterized by the prevalence of quartz and lack of micaceous minerals. Moreover, the relatively high content of partially rounded, matt (EM/RM) and well-rounded (RM) quartz grains, typical of aeolian sedimentary conditions, was certified. Hence, the results show a high aeolization degree of the investigated sediments, thus correlating them with aeolian deposition in dry, periglacial conditions after drying up of the Warsaw icedammed lake.