Extensive research has been conducted in numerous coalbed methane (CBM) basins; however, the Williston Basin (WB) remains largely unexamined due to the absence of CBM production despite large coal reserves. CBM in WB coalbeds has been reported, but there has been no systematic study on gas origin and distribution, or hydrogeochemical controls on gas generation to date. This study aims to determine differences in chemistry between groundwaters with and without the presence of CH₄ to better understand factors affecting CBM generation. Results reveal that shallow gas accumulations in WB coalbeds are microbial in origin and formed via CO₂ reduction. CBM is associated with Na-HCO₃ type groundwater with SO₄ concentrations<1 mmole/L due to cation exchange and sulfate reduction, respectively. These groundwaters occur in deeper units of the Fort Union Formation, underlying multiple coalbeds, suggesting that CH₄ is present in waters that have reacted extensively with formations containing low-rank (lignite) coals.

Marine sedimentary sections across the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) boundary interval are preserved in the Patala Formation (Upper Indus Basin) and Dungan Formation (Lower Indus Basin), Pakistan. The P/E interval of the Patala Formation is composed of limestone and shale inter-beds indicating deposition on a carbonate platform. The analysis of larger foraminifera across the P/E interval from the Patala Formation (Kala Chitta Ranges), allows the recognition of the Larger Foraminiferal Turnover (LFT). The Larger Foraminiferal Turnover (LFT) observed in the Patala Formation is associated with the PETM (Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum) global climatic event and allows the recognition of the P/E boundary in shallow water carbonates of the Indus Basin. This turnover is already reported from other Tethyan sections and from the Salt Range (Upper Indus Basin), Pakistan. The recognition of the LFT allows the inter-basinal and intra-basinal correlation of the P/E interval of the shallow carbonates of the Indus Basin, Pakistan. The available literature on the Paleocene-Eocene Patala and Dungan formations is used to review the planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the P/E interval. The planktonic foraminiferal zones in the P/E interval of the Indus Basin are identified and reviewed in the light of new international zonations. The planktonic foraminiferal content of the Dungan Formation allows its correlation with the Laki Formation of Rajesthan (India). Four dinoflagellate zones in the P/E interval of the Rakhi Nala section (Lower Indus Basin) are identified and correlated with international and regional zonations. The quantitative analysis of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages together with geochemical data (i.e., carbon isotopes (organic only), C/N ratio, TOC, carbonate content) is used to reconstruct the palaeoenivronment across the P/E interval. The dinocyst assemblages in general, and the abundance of Apectodinium spp. in particular, indicate the warmer surface water conditions of the global PETM event. The dinocyst assemblages allow the local correlation of the Dungan Formation (part) of the Sulaiman Range with the Patala Formation (part) of the Upper Indus Basin and global correlation of the Zone Pak-DV with the Apectodinium acme Zone of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The carbon isotopic excursion (CIE) associated with PETM is now globally used to identify the P/E boundary. The CIE in total organic carbon (i.e., δ13CTOC = -28.9‰) and total fine fraction organics (i.e., δ13CFF= 26.4‰) from the Indus Basin is reported for the first time. This CIE record from the Indus Basin is compared with other Tethyan sections from Egypt and Uzbekistan and is also compared with the global sections from USA (Northern hemisphere) and from New Zealand (Southern hemisphere).

Tectonic development of the Andean Cordillera has profoundly changed the topography, climate, and vegetation patterns of the southern central Andes. The Cenozoic Bermejo Basin in Argentina (30 degrees S) provides a key record of thrust belt kinematics and paleoclimate south of the high-elevation Puna Plateau. Ongoing debate regarding the timing of initiation of upper plate shortening and Andean uplift persists, precluding a thorough understanding of the earlier tectonic and climatic controls on basin evolution. We present new sedimentology, detrital geochronology, sandstone petrography, and subsidence analysis from the Bermejo Basin that reveal siliciclastic-evaporative fluvial and lacustrine environments prior to the main documented phase of Oligocene-Miocene shortening of the Frontal Cordillera and Argentine Precordillera. We report the first radiometric dates from detrital zircons collected in the Cienaga del Rio Huaco Formation, previously mapped as Permian, that constrain a Late Cretaceous (95-93Ma) maximum depositional age. Provenance and paleocurrent data from these strata indicate that detritus was derived from dissected arc and cratonic sources in the north and northeast. Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of 37Ma from the overlying red beds suggest that foredeep sedimentation began by at least the late Eocene. At this time, sediment dispersal shifted from axial southward to transversal eastward from the Andean Arc and Frontal Cordillera. Subsidence analysis of the basin fill is compatible with increasing tectonic deformation beginning in Eocene time, suggesting that a distal foredeep maintained fluvial connectivity to the hinterland during topographic uplift and unroofing of the Frontal Cordillera, prior to Oligocene-Miocene deformation across the Precordillera.

Between 2000 and 2014, annual Colorado River flows averaged 19% below the 1906-1999 average, the worst 15-year drought on record. At least one-sixth to one-half (average at one-third) of this loss is due to unprecedented temperatures (0.9 degrees C above the 1906-1999 average), confirming model-based analysis that continued warming will likely further reduce flows. Whereas it is virtually certain that warming will continue with additional emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, there has been no observed trend toward greater precipitation in the Colorado Basin, nor are climate models in agreement that there should be a trend. Moreover, there is a significant risk of decadal and multidecadal drought in the coming century, indicating that any increase in mean precipitation will likely be offset during periods of prolonged drought. Recently published estimates of Colorado River flow sensitivity to temperature combined with a large number of recent climate model-based temperature projections indicate that continued business-as-usual warming will drive temperature-induced declines in river flow, conservatively -20% by midcentury and -35% by end-century, with support for losses exceeding -30% at midcentury and -55% at end-century. Precipitation increases may moderate these declines somewhat, but to date no such increases are evident and there is no model agreement on future precipitation changes. These results, combined with the increasing likelihood of prolonged drought in the river basin, suggest that future climate change impacts on the Colorado River flows will be much more serious than currently assumed, especially if substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions do not occur. Plain Language Summary Between 2000 and 2014, annual Colorado River flows averaged 19% below the 1906-1999 average, the worst 15-year drought on record. Approximately one-third of the flow loss is due to high temperatures now common in the basin, a result of human caused climate change. Previous comparable droughts were caused by a lack of precipitation, not high temperatures. As temperatures increase in the 21st century due to continued human emissions of greenhouse gasses, additional temperature-induced flow losses will occur. These losses may exceed 20% at mid-century and 35% at end-century. Additional precipitation may reduce these temperature-induced losses somewhat, but to date no precipitation increases have been noted and climate models do not agree that such increases will occur. These results suggest that future climate change impacts on the Colorado River will be greater than currently assumed. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will lead to lower future temperatures and hence less flow loss.

This thesis deals with the monitoring of water quality and aquatic sediments analysis in the basin of Kunratický brook. Water samples were collected at six locations during once year. The results of analysis were evaluated according to CSN 75 7221 Water quality - Classification of surface water quality and Regulation 229/2007. According to CSN 75 7221 Kunratický brook is classified as very strong polluted water. Biological consumption of oxygen, ammoniated and nitrate nitrogen meet not the conditions of environmental quality according to Regulation 229/2007. Sediment samples were collected once for whole period at 4 locations. In sediment was determine the content of metals. The results of analysis were evaluated according to Regulation 257/2009. The results were compared with limits of US EPA, specifically PEC and TEC. Sediments of pond Šeberák are full obliged. Zinc, lead and cooper are in excess of sediments of Kunratický brook. Key words: water quality, sediments quality, basin

The Main Karoo Basin of South Africa is renowned for its exceptional palaeontological record and while its vertebrate fossils have been extensively researched, Karoo floras have received considerably less attention. Poor yields of palynomorphs from the Beaufort and “Stormberg” groups have complicated the task of erecting a comprehensive palynozonation scheme for the Karoo Supergroup. For this study, 65 palynologically productive samples from the Dwyka, Ecca, Beaufort and “Stormberg” groups allowed for systematic descriptions of all palynomorphs, as well as the ranges of the different taxa through the entire Karoo stratigraphic succession. Taxa with restricted ranges are useful for biostratigraphic correlation and these palynomorphs were used to delineate microfloral zones for the Karoo basin. The Dwyka Group contains high numbers of acritarchs and is generally low in species diversity. Useful biostratigraphic taxa for the Ecca Group include Cannanoropollis, Hamiapollenites, Platysaccus and Striatopodocarpites. Aratrisporites is a marker for the Latest Permian / Early Triassic Beaufort Group, while Cyathidites, Dictyophyllidites, Equisetosporites and Uvaesporites are indicators of the Late Triassic / Early Jurassic “Stormberg” Group. Palynostratigraphic zones correlate largely with the Karoo vertebrate biozones and severe and sudden extinction events are recognised among Karoo palynomorphs in the upper Tapinocephalus and Dicynodon assemblage zones. The first comprehensive palynological biozonation scheme for the Main Karoo Basin is proposed and the study provides a broad overview of Gondwanan Carboniferous - Jurassic floras. This study demonstrates that palynology is useful in correlating age equivalent lithostratigraphic units in the proximal and distal sectors of the Karoo Basin. Microfloras from previous South African studies are integrated within the proposed palynostratigraphic scheme, and palynological signatures of the various Karoo formations are shown to be consistent. Despite the constraints of floral provincialism, South African microfloras can be correlated to selected Gondwanan biozonations from Australia, Africa, Antarctica, New Zealand and South America. Future studies should focus on sampling more intensively over smaller stratigraphic intervals, which will assist in the correlation of time equivalent lithostratigraphic units in the different sectors of the basin, thus aiding in refinement of basin development models. Key words: palynology, Karoo, vertebrate biozones, stratigraphy, Gondwana

This thesis presents the application of the state-of-the-art processing, interpretation and modeling to the 3D reflection seismic data that were acquired between 1988 and 2003 across the West Rand and West Wits line goldfields of the Archean Witwatersrand Basin. The re-processing of the old 3D seismic data using new imaging techniques, such as 3D Kirchhoff prestack time migration (KPSTM), has led to better imaging of the ore body, structures (faults and dikes), and steeply dipping stratigraphy. Detailed interpretations of the highly auriferous Ventersdorp Contact Reef (VCR) using advanced complex seismic trace and horizon - based seismic attributes, have led to discoveries of ore blocks (~ 1 km long and ~ 250 m wide) that are bound by multi-fault segments of the first-order scale Bank and West Rand faults, leading to an increase of the resource portfolio and potentially, the quantity of the reserves. In particular, the edge detection attributes have resolved faults with throws as small as 10 m and complex structural architectures such as intersecting and cross-cutting faults, and fault bifurcations which are difficult to detect using conventional techniques (e.g., amplitude, dip and azimuth). Potential conduits, such as faults and dikes for migration of water and methane into underground workings were also mapped using edge detection attributes. These results have the potential to play into safe mine planning. The interpretation of the merged 3D seismic datasets, integrated with underground maps, boreholes, absolute and relative geochronological data, has added to our understanding of the gross structural architecture and Neoarchaean tectonic evolution of the goldfields. On a first-order scale (400 m - 2.5 km) the data resolved: (1) the northerly-trending disharmonic Libanon Anticline with a wavelength of 8 km and amplitude of 2 km, which was formed during deformation in the Umzawami Event (ca 2.73 Ga); and (2) the north-northeast trending, west-dipping (65°–70°W) listric West Rand and Bank faults, which were formed during a major extensional event, herein termed the Hlukana- Platberg Event (2.70-2.64). On a second-order scale (25 m - 400 m) the datasets resolved: (1) the Tandeka and Jabulani thrusts 1.5 km below the West Rand and Bank faults in the depth interval of 6-8 km; and (2) a series of drag synclines and rollover anticlines in the immediate footwall and hangingwall of the West Rand and Bank faults. Further to this, the seismic sections across the goldfields provided evidence that the first- and second-order scale faults, thrust and folds were dissected, eroded and overlain by the Transvaal Supergroup above an angular unconformity. The oldest approximate age for the Transvaal Supergroup is given as 2.58 Ga, thus constraining the age of the faults, thrust and folds to the Neoarchaean or pre- 2.58 Ga.

Calabrese (2005) identified two distinct ceramics styles in the Shashe- Limpopo basin at the same time – Leokwe and K2. This is the first record of ethnicity in the Iron Age of southern Africa. With this identification come new avenues for research. How these groups interacted, and their relative status through time is the focus of my research. According to Calabrese, some Leokwe groups maintained a higher, or at least equal status on initial contact with K2, before K2 became the dominant political group. He bases this claim on the identification of what he terms ‘Elite Symbolic Objects’ at sites, such as Castle Rock. Using GIS, it is clear that the locale of sites differ within the landscape. Specifically, locations vary through time on the escarpment and floodplain and their relationship to primary and secondary resources. This variation suggests that access to resources was controlled, and this implication influences ones assessment of the relative status of K2 and Leokwe groups. Additionally, new excavations at Castle Rock call into question the validity of ‘elite symbolic objects’ in determining status.

Lipanský T. (2016): Dlouhodobý režim proudění podzemních vod v hlubokých pánevních kolektorech, na příkladu ovlivnění hydrogeologických poměrů české křídové pánve hornickou činností v okolí Stráže pod Ralskem. Doktorská disertační práce. - Univerzita Karlova v Praze Abstract: This thesis sumerises the development of groundwater regime in a multilayered water-bearing system of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin in maximal proposed extent of area where the groundwater regime had been affected by mining of radioactive materials near Strář pod Ralskem. The aim of the work was to describe the groundwater regime on the basis of measured monitoring data and map interpolations. The former Uranium mining from Cenomanian sandstone sediments represents the largest human impact on the natural groundwater flow of a multilayered water-bearing system within both the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and the Czech Republic. Newly created graphs and maps of piezometric surfaces bring an insight into the dynamics of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin water-bearing system and give an idea of long- term groundwater heads and flow directions development in the studied area. This was achieved despite the fact that this study does not present a hydraulic model, but an interpolation of monitoring data. Maps and grids of piezometric surfaces can be...

Resumo: Este trabalho visou efetuar um estudo sobre o intemperismo químico na bacia do Alto Sorocaba (SP). A taxa de intemperismo das rochas é um parâmetro importante na caracterização geomorfológica dos continentes, sendo empregadas várias ferramentas na sua avaliação. Para tanto, neste trabalho foram utilizados a concentração de urânio, a razão de atividade 234U/238U e os principais cátions em amostras de água, solo e rochas da bacia. A bacia do Alto Sorocaba apresenta vários problemas ambientais que interferem na qualidade das águas pluviais e fluviais, neste sentido, o balanço geoquímico efetuado utilizando os principais cátions apresentou alguns inconvenientes. No entanto, a taxa de intemperismo utilizando o modelo isotópico do urânio correspondeu a 13,9 μm/ano, a qual indica que são necessários 72.000 anos para alterar 1m de rocha. Quanto aos problemas ambientais identificados na bacia do Alto Sorocaba por atividades antrópicas, as causas principais foram a sua má utilização e falta de planejamento. Sob esse aspecto, medidas de curto, médio e longo prazo devem ser tomadas, visando à utilização racional dos recursos naturais da bacia. / Abstract: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the chemical weathering in the Alto Sorocaba basin (SP). The weathering rate in rocks is an important parameter on the geomorphological characterization of the continents and therefore, several tools may be used for its evaluation. Thus, this work utilized data on the uranium concentration, the 234U/238U activity ratio and the major cations concentration for samples of waters, soils and rocks from this basin. The Alto Sorocaba basin has serious environmental problems in terms of the quality of the rain and river waters, in this direction, the geochemical balance using the main cations presented some inconveniences. However the weathering rate utilizing the uranium isotopes modeling corresponded to 13,9 μm/year, which indicates that is necessary 72,000 years to weather 1 m of rock. Concerning to the environmental problems identified in the Alto Sorocaba basin, due to anthropogenic activities, the major causes had been its bad use and lack of planning. Under this aspect, short, medium and long run initiatives must be considered, aiming to the rational use of the natural resources in the basin. / Orientador: Daniel Marcos Bonotto / Coorientador: Fabiano Tomazini da Conceição / Banca: Carlos Renato Corso / Banca: Jairo Roberto Jimenez Rueda / Mestre