New Data on Phase Composition and Geochemistry of the Muschelkalk Carbonate Rocks of the Upper Silesian Province in Poland

A comprehensive analysis of the Muschelkalk carbonate rocks from the Upper Silesian Province, including the UNESCO-listed Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine, reveals a diverse phase composition and geochemical profile. The study identified five distinct carbonate phases: low-Mg calcite, high-Mg calcite, proto-dolomite, ordered dolomite, and huntite, along with trace elements like Sr, Ba, Al, Si, Fe, Mn, K, Na, S, Cl, Ti, Cr, Ni, Zn, Rb, Zr, Pb, As, V, Be, B, Co, Cu, Br, Mo, and Cd. These trace elements, beyond Sr and Ba, hint at the presence of silicates, aluminosilicates, oxides, and sulfides, providing insights into the complex mineralogy of these rocks. The research employed advanced techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Atomic spectrometry with plasma intensification to unravel the chemical formulas and geochemical properties of the samples collected from the Lower Muschelkalk (Gogolin Unit), Middle Muschelkalk (Diplopore Dolomite Unit), and Upper Muschelkalk (Tarnowice Unit, Boruszowice Unit).

Stanienda-Pilecki, K. J., & Jendruś, R. (2025). New Data on Phase Composition and Geochemistry of the Muschelkalk Carbonate Rocks of the Upper Silesian Province in Poland. Applied Sciences, 15(19), 10751. https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910751