Geochemical and mineralogical properties of loess at Gornji Zemun

Geohemijsko-mineraloške karakteristike lesa Gornjeg Zemuna

Abstract

Loess and loessal sediments are widespread Quaternary formations in the Pannonian plain and on its margin, but few information is available about their mineralogical and geochemical properties. This work is presenting the study results for a significant locality of loess development on the SW margin of Pannonian plain - the loess plateau of Gornji Zemun. A total of 31 samples (26 of loess, 4 of buried soil, and 1 of loessal clay, from 11 boreholes) from several loess levels were analysed. The composition of loess includes quartz, calcite (traces to 16%), dolomite, feldspars (plagioclases), and monmorllonite. Chemical composition of loess (9 samples) and buried soil (1 sample) and microelement contents in all the studied samples were analysed. Variation diagrams for respective constituents were used to study geochemical processes that led to the formation and postgenetic changes in the loess series.