doi:10.5474/geologija.1996.

008

Interpretation of Depositional Environment Based

on Grain Size Distribution of Sandstones of the Val Gardena
Formation in the Area Between Cerkno and Smreje, Slovenia
Interpretacija sedimentaci j skega okolja na osnovi porazdelitve
velikosti zrn peenjakov grdenske formacije na obmoju med
Cerknim in Smrejem, Slovenija

Dragomir Skaberne
G e o l o k i z a v o d Ljubljana
Intitut z a g e o l o g i j o , g e o t e h n i k o in g e o f i z i k o
D i m i e v a 14, 1000 Ljubljana, S l o v e n i j a

Key words: g r a i n size, d e p o s i t i o n a l e n v i r o n m e n t , s a n d s t o n e , Val G a r d e n a F o r

mation, Permian, Slovenia
Kljune besede: v e l i k o s t i zrn, s e d i m e n t a c i j s k o okoje, p e e n j a k i , g r d e n s k a
formacija, perm, S l o v e n i j a

Abstract
A n a t t e m p t w a s m a d e t o interpret t h e m o d e of transport a n d t h e d e p o s i t i o n a l
e n v i r o n m e n t of s a n d s t o n e s of t h e Val G a r d e n a F o r m a t i o n in t h e area b e t w e e n Cer
k n o a n d S m r e j e b y a n a l y s i s of f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n of l e n g t h s of l o n g a x e s of
s e c t i o n s of quartz g r a i n s . T h e e x a m i n e d s a n d y f r a c t i o n s h o u l d h a v e b e e n t r a n s
p o r t e d b y fluvial currents p r i n c i p a l l y in t h e s a l t a t i o n a n d p a r t l y t h e s u s p e n s i o n
p o p u l a t i o n , a n d in a s m a l l e r degree i n t h e rolling p o p u l a t i o n of grains.

Kratka vsebina

Z a n a l i z o p o r a z d e l i t v e d o l g i h osi p r e s e k o v k r e m e n o v i h z r n p e e n j a k o v g r
d e n s k e formacije na o b m o j u m e d C e r k n i m in S m r e j e m s m o s k u a l i p o d a t i i n t e r
p r e t a c i j o n a i n a t r a n s p o r t a in s e d i m e n t a c i j s k e g a okolja. A n a l i z i r a n a p e e n a
frakcija naj bi b i l a t r a n s p o r t i r a n a z r e n i m i t o k o v i p r e t e n o v o b l i k i p o s k a k u j o e ,
d e l o m a s u s p e n z i j s k e in v m a n j i meri k o t a l e e p o p u l a c i j e zrn.

Introduction

The largest continuous belt of the clastic rocks of the Val Gardena Formation in
Slovenia extends in the area betv^een Cerkno and Smreje where they take part of
the iri-Idrija nappe unit ( M l a k a r , 1969). According to the twofold subdivision of
the Permian they are attributed to the lower part of the Upper Permian. The beds
underlying the Val Gardena Formation consist of dark grey clastic rocks of pre-
sumingly Carboniferous age, while their upper part might be of the Lower Permian
age. The contact with them is discordant. The passage into overlying beds of the
Upper Permian carbonate rocks is gradual and concordant.
The most frequent rocks of the Val Gardena Formation are developed in the red
sandstone facies, in which conglomeratic and muddy facies are interbedded. As a
consequence of their proportion the highest attention in the study of the Val Gardena
Formation was attributed to the sandstones.
A sandstone as a clastic sedimentary rock consists of terrigenous grains and of
chemically precipitated minerals. Its properties depend therefore upon the properties
of grains and their fabric. The characteristics of an aggregate of sediment grains (P)
can consequently be defined as a function of their composition (c), size (s), shape (sh),
and their fabric, described by orientation (o) and packing (p) ( G r i f f i t h s , 1961, 1967).

P = f(c, s, sh, o, p)

Determination of one of the given parameters is usually interdependent upon the

others. The basic properties of solid cemented rocks that cannot be disintegrated into
primary particular grains without the influence on their primary size and shape, can
be determined only in thin sections. In this case, an additional variable, the direction
of the section across the grain aggregate of the rock must be considered.
In the following, only the size, or distribution of sizes, of terrigenous grains in the
considered rocks shall be dealt with.
The grain sizes in sandstones that can be disintegrated into their primary individ
ual grains is usually determined by sieving. During disintegration the original fabric
of grains, that is their orientation (o) and packing (p), is destroyed. From this aspect,
the determination of grain size (P^) depends only upon the composition (c), size (s)
and shape (sh) of grains.

P , = f(c, s, sh)

Owing to the importance of grain size, or of its distribution in sandstones from the
technological, as well as from genetic aspects, various authors ( F r i e d m a n , 1958,
1962; A d a m s , 1977; H a r r e l l & E r i k s o n , 1976; J o h n s o n , 1994) attempted to
determine the correction factors for transformation of the lengths of long axes of
grain sections in thin sections into the grain sizes as determined by sieving. One
comes across the problems of the definition of grain size that is dependent upon the
method applied ( A l l e n , 1968) and the determination of the "true" size in thin sec
tions, which also represents a mathematical problem. Analysis of the mentioned
problems are beyond our frame. Lately they were discussed by J o h n s o n (1994).
For a long time in sedimentary petrology, many attempts were made to use the
grain size of the sediment for determination of their depositional environment.
Grain size distribution in clastic sedimentary rocks is dependent upon the charac
teristics of source rocks, mode of weathering, distribution of grain size in weathered
material, mode of transport, conditions of sedimentation and finally of postdeposi-
tional processes. An interpretation of the depositional environment by grain size dis
tributions is based upon the assumption that they are predominantly affected by
hydrodynamic properties of the currents during transport and sedimentation, which
would be typical for the distinct depositional environment. The latter represents the
most difficult problem, since equal or very similar depositional processes and corre
sponding hydrodynamic conditions may occur in various depositional environments,
and thus affect the grain size distributions in a similar m a n n e r Therefore the studies
of grain size distributions are only in part successful in determining the paleodeposi-
tional environments and the depositional processes related with them.
In spite of the stated limitations an attempt was made to use the distribution of
lengths of long axes of sections of terrigenous quartz grains of the sandy fraction for
interpretation of the mode of transport and of the depositional environment of the
Val Gardena sandstones in the Cerkno-Smreje area.

Sampling and methodology

In total 209 point samples have been analyzed in detail from 18 local profiles-seg
ments (OZS), which all together comprise a thickness of 1234 m. The local
profiles-segments can be assembled into five regional composite profiles (OZP):
kofje, Sovodenj, irovski vrh, Goli vrh and Lavrovec, as arranged in the direction
from NW to SE. They represent the fairly well studied volume of the Val Gardena
Formation.
The long axes of 200 sections of quartz grains were measured with the micrometer
ocular at 150 x magnification in 206 thin sections. The measured quartz grains were
randomly selected by point counter The influence of composition on size determina
tion was reduced by measuring the quartz grains only. They are also the principal
component in the composition of the Val Gardena sandstones and represent on aver
age 63 % of the population of all terrigenous grains. The lengths of long axes, up to
5 (0.03 mm), were subdivided into classes of 1/4 wide, and below that into classes
of 1/2 wied, down to the smallest measured size of about 7 (0.008 mm). The rela
tive and cumulative frequencies were calculated on the basis of these data for the use
in further analysis.

Results

The cumulative frequency distribution curves of the lengths of long axes of sec
tions of quartz grains were drawn in the units on the abscissa and the probability
scale on the ordinate. By using the cumulative frequency distribution curves the
graphic statistical parameters: graphic mean size (MZ), inclusive standard deviation
(SI), inclusive graphic skewness (SKI) and graphic kurtosis (KG) ( F o l k & W a r d ,
1957) were determinated. From the same curves also the metric sizes at 1 % (C) and
median (MD), as well as quartile deviation (QDa) ( B u l l e r & M c M a n u s , 1972) were
also obtained. The average size (M), standard deviation (S), skewness (SKEW), kurto
sis (KURT), simple measure of skewness (ALFA) and mean cubic deviation (MCD)
( F r i e d m a n , 1967) were also calculated with the moment estimates. They were cal
culated in spite of difficulties related with the partly open classes in the domains of
the smallest and the largest grain sizes, as warned by F o l k (1966). The mentioned
parameters for individual analyzed samples are listed in table 1, and the descriptive
statistics of grain size data are summarized in table 2.
Table 1. G r a n u l o m e t r i e p a r a m e t e r s
T a b e l a 1. G r a n u l o m e t r i n i p a r a m e t r i
S y m b o l s for v a r i a b l e s of g r a n u l o m e t r i e p a r a m e t e r s are e v i d e n t from t h e t e x t ; O Z S - s e g m e n t s ,
profiles o n t h e g a l e r i e s in t h e u r a n i u m m i n e of r o v s k i v r h P 10, H 5 3 - 5 4 , H 5 2 o n t h e s u r f a c e
K L , R A I , R a 2 , R A 3 , GV, A, B, C, D , E, S a n d t h e cores B 7 4 , V2, V20, V25
O z n a k e s p r e m e n l j i v k , g r a n u l o m e t r i n i h p a r a m e t r o v so r a z v i d n e iz t e k a s t a ; O Z S - s e g m e n t i ,
profili v r o v i h r u d n i k a u r a n a i r o v s k i v r h PIO, H 5 3 - 5 4 , H 5 2 , na p o v r i n i K L , R A I , R A 2 , R A S ,
GV, PR, A, B, C, D , E , S in v r t i n a h B 7 4 , V2, V20, V25
 Table 2. D e s c r i p t i v e s t a t i s t i c s of s o m e g r a n u l o m e r t i c p a r a m e t e r s
Tabela 2. O p i s n e s t a t i s t i k e n e k a t e r i h g r a n u l o m e t r i n i h p a r a m e t r o v

sprem. - s y m b o l s for v a r i a b l e s of g r a n u l o m e t r i e p a r a m e t e r s are e v i d e n t

from t h e text; N - n u m b e r of c a s e s (samples); m i n - m i n i m a l value; M -
m a i n ; S D - s t a n d a r d d e v i a t i o n ; S K - s k e w n e s s ; K U - kurtosis
s p r e m . - o z n a k e s p r e m e n l j i v k so r a z v i d n e iz t e k s t a ; N - t e v i l o e n o t
(vzorcev); m i n - m i n i m a l n a vrednost; m a x - m a k s i m a l n a vrednost; M -
srednja vrednost; S D - s t a n d a r d n i o d k o l n ; S K - a s i m e t r i n o s t ; K U -
sploenost

A relatively good correspondence of the graphic and the moment measures for the
mean and the standard deviation can be seen in the table 2. The lengths of long axes
of sections of quartz grains in the examined samples vary from 6.09 (0.015 mm) to
-2.4 (5.3 mm) Mrith the mean of 2.16 (0.22 mm). The grains are from poorly to well
sorted, on the average moderately well sorted, and their distributions are mainly
symmetric. The distributions are very positively to very negatively skewed in the
extremes. With respect to the kurtosis, the curves are mostly mesokurtic, but some
very platykurtic or very leptokurtic curves could also be observed. The descriptive
terms used are related to the quantitative limits as reported by F o l k and W a r d
(1957). In general, the distributions of grain size in the analyzed samples are close to
normal with the mean size of 2.16 (0.22 mm) and the average standard deviation of
0.68 (0.094 mm).

Discussion and interpretation

The analysis of the distribution of grain size and its interpretation can be
approached in two ways. In the first one, the cumulative frequency distribution curve
of grain size is regarded as a whole, and it is attempted to be interpreted on the basis
of hydrodynamic characteristics. In the second way, the characteristics of statistic
parameters of distributions of grain size from known recent depositional environ
ments are considered and attempts are made to determine empirically the discrimi
nant functions between them.
One of the pioneers of the study of cumulative frequency curves was D o e g 1 a s
(1946). He found that grain sizes follow the arithmetic probability function, and that
their distributions represent a mixture of two or more populations that are the conse
quence of various mechanisms of transport. I n m a n (1949) distinguished three basic
types of transport: rolling, sliding and saltation on the bottom, and suspension. He
also contributed some thoughts on the graphic parameters of grain size distribution:
mean grain size, sorting (standard deviation) and skewness. S i n d o w s k i (1957) con-
tinued D o e g l a s ' s w^ork, but he utihzed the log-probabihty diagrams for represent
ing the cumulative frequency curves, and he empirically subdivided them into groups
that belong to sediments of various depositional environments: aeolic, limnic, estuar-
ine, littoral and shelf environment. M o s s (1962, 1963) believed that the grain size
distribution consists of normally distributed subpopulations that are transported by
rolling-sliding, saltation and in suspension. The individual subpopulations have their
mean size and sorting. Later Vi s h e r (1965) studied the dependence of grain size dis
tribution on the sedimentary structures in fluviatile deposits and the various deposi
tional processes in diverse depositional environments (Vi s h e r , 1969).
Based on these concepts an attempt was made to determine the individual genetic
populations from the cumulative frequency curves. All three populations of grain
sizes, transported by either rolling and sliding (Ro), saltation (Sa) and in suspension
(Su), could be determined in the examined samples. Their presence is shown in table
1. In the same table the position of the inflection point between the saltation and sus
pension populations is presented. This point is estimated according to the maximum
grain size in suspension (Su) and the amount of grains that were transported as a
bedload (BL %), by rolling or sliding and saltation.
The basic cumulative frequency distribution curves are shown in figure 1.
The presence of rolling and sliding populations could be established only in
5.26 % of the 209 analyzed samples. When present, their amount varied from 1.5 to
16.0 % with an average of 5.9 %. The minimum size of the mentioned subpopulation
is 0.75 (0.6 mm) to 0.2 (0.87 mm), with the mean of 0.43 (0.74 mm).
The population of saltation grains was established in 99.04% of the examined
samples. This population occurs as a unique population in 40.8%, whereas it is
divided in the remaining 58.2 % into two subpopulations (Fig. lb). Their intersection,
the inflection point between the two subpopulations of saltation grains, is above the
line of unique saltation population in 46.2 % of the cases, and it is marked by a 2 in
table 1. This means that the saltation population is positively skewed in 46.2 % of the
cases, and contains more smaller grains with respect to their expected amount in a
symmetrical normal distribution. In 12 % of samples, this intersection between the
two subpopulations occurs below the line that represents the unique saltation popu
lation, and is marked by a -2 in table 1. This suggests a negatively skewed saltation
population, which contains more larger grains with respect to their expected amount.
This indicates a certain hydrodynamic separation even within the population of
saltation grains itself, which was already noticed already by Vi s h e r (1965, 1969).
The distribution of grain size of the analyzed samples showing that the grains
transported as bedload by rolling, sliding and saltation in the thin layer in the bot
tom, represents no less than 89.2 % of all grains.
The population of suspended grains was established in 52.15 % examined of the
samples, and of these only two samples, or 0.05 %, contain only this population of
grains. The average amount of suspended population is 10.8 %. The amount of sus
pension population is 18.65 % on average, taking into account only the samples con
taining it. The maximum grain size in the suspension population is 2 (0.25 mm) to
4.50 (0.04 mm), and on average 2.90 (0.15 mm), with standard deviation of 0.51
(0.05 mm).
With respect to comparisons of presented data (Tab. 1) with those of Vi s h e r
(1969, 1104, Tab.l), the analyzed distribution of grain sizes are interpreted as a prod
uct of fluvial sedimentary environment. The detailed hydrodynamic interpretations,
as made on the basis of grain size distribution by M i d d l e t o n (1976), B r e y e r
Fig. 1. B a s i c g r o u p s of c u m u l a t i v e grain size d i s t r i b u t i o n curves for t h e a n a l y z e d s a m p l e s w i t h
g e n e t i c interpretation: a) R o - r o l l i n g - s l i d i n g , S a - s a l t a t i o n , a n d S u - s u s p e n s i o n p o p u l a t i o n s of
grains; b) c u m u l a t i v e d i s t r i b u t i o n curve r e p r e s e n t e d b y a s i n g l e s a l t a t i o n p o p u l a t i o n ( K l - 7 . 2 / 1 )
or b y t w o s u b p o p u l a t i o n s t h a t form a p o s i t i v e l y s k e w e d (Kl-83.9) a n d a n e g a t i v e l y s k e w e d (PIO
53/500) saltation population
SI. 1. O s n o v n e s k u p i n e k u m u l a t i v n i h p o r a z d e l i t v e n i h krivulj v e l i k o s t i z r n a n a l i z i r a n i h v z o r c e v
z g e n e t s k o interpretacijo: a) R o - p o p u l a c i j a k o t a l e i h - drseih, S a - p o s k a k u j o i h , S u - s u s
p e n d i r a n i h zrn; b) k u m u l a t i v n a p o r a z d e l i t v e n a krivulja, p r e d s t a v l j e n a z e n o p o p u l a c i j o (Kl-
7,2/1) ali d v e m a p o d p o p u l a c i j a m a , ki sestavljata p o z i t i v n o a s i m e t r i n o (Kl-83,9) i n n e g a t i v n o
a s i m e t r i n o (PIO 5 3 / 5 0 0 ) p o p u l a c i j o p o s k a k u j o i h z r n

(1979) and others, are beyond the frame of the present study. Only that M i d d l e t o n
(1976) determined the average shear velocity of the transporting medium on the basis
of the interruption (position of inflection point) between the populations of grain
sizes that are transported by rolling and sliding, and the population of grain sizes in
intermittent suspension that coincides with the lower part of the population of salta
tion grains shall be mentioned.
In study of dynamics during the transport and sedimentation. P a s s e g a (1957,
1964) utilized the ratios between the largest grains at 1 % on the cumulative curve (C)
and the median (Md) in metric units, of a larger number of homogenous, but struc
turally diverse samples. The importance of maximum size that should reflect the
maximum power of the current, was also recognized by other researchers.
P a s s e g a (1957, 1964) distinguished two modes of transport: rolling and suspen
sion. He further subdivided the suspension into the graded and homogenous suspen-
Sion at the bottom, and the pelagic suspension. The P a s s e g a ' s (1957, 1964) diagram
in which the data of analyzed samples were plotted, shows that the prevailing part of
the material was transported in form of the graded bottom suspension that could cor
respond to the saltation population ( M o s s , 1962, 1963; Vi s h er, 1969).
Besides the hydrodynamic interpretation of the cumulative frequency distribution
function and its importance for the hydrodynamic of the depositional environment
the graphic and the moment statistical parameters were also considered.
The factor analysis ( S k a b e r n e & S m o l e j , 1981) indicated that the mean grain
size and the skewness are interrelated. They are loading the first factor with the
highest loadings by skewness. The second factor is defined by the standard deviation
and the kurtosis, with the highest loadings by the standard deviation. The scatter-
plots of independent variables of the graphic mean grain size (MZ) versus the inclu
sive graphic standard deviation (SI) that separate the aeolic and the fluvial sediments
( F r i e d m a n , 1961), the beach and the fluvial sediments ( F r i e d m a n , 1967); the
shore bars and the fluvial sediments ( M o i o l a & W e i s e r , 1986) were therefore test
ed. According to the discriminant function of M o i o l a and W e i s e r (1968) all the
analyzed samples were attributed to the fluvial deposits, whereas the solution on the
ground of F r i e d m a n ' s diagrams (1961, 1967) is not significant.
A better resolution between the beach and the fluvial deposits provide F r i e d m a n ' s
diagrams of the inclusive graphic standard deviation (SI) versus the inclusive graphic
skewness (SKI) (Fig. 2a) ( F r i e d m a n , 1967) by which 85.6 % of studied samples were
attributed to the fluvial deposits. An even better resolution was given by the bivari-
ate diagram of the moment derived standard deviation (S) versus the mean cubic
deviation (MCD) (Fig. 2b), ( F r i e d m a n , 1967), in which no less than 95.7% of
analyzed samples plot in the field of fluvial deposits.
An interesting diagram for defining the depositional environments on the basis of
granulometrie parameters of the median (MD) versus the arithmetic quartile devia
tion (QDa) in metric units was proposed by B u l l e r and M c M a n u s (1972). The dia
gram discriminates between the "quietwater", fluvial, eolie and beach deposits (Fig.
3). In the envelope of the fluvial sediments plot no less than 97.6 % of the analyzed
samples.

Conclusion

The grain size and its distribution are influenced by a multitude of factors which
limits their application for the interpretation of the paleodepositional environment.
In case of their use also other relevant criteria, such as the sedimentary structures,
spatial succession of facies, fossils, other textural parameters, etc. must be taken into
consideration.
In the analyzed samples the graphic and the moment derived estimates of the
mean grain size and the standard deviation correspond relatively well in spite of
open classes on both ends of the distribution curve, whereas the estimates for the
skewness and the kurtosis correspond somewhat less well.
The distribution of lengths of the long axes of grain sections, as determined in
thin sections, can serve in certain cases as a satisfactory approximation to distribu
tions of sizes of real grains. Their representations on log-probability diagrams can be
used for interpretation of the mode of transport. Most of the analyzed sandy fraction
of the Val Gardena sandstones belongs to the saltation population. The suspension
Fig. 2. S c a t t e r p l o t for d i s t i n g u i s h i n g b e t w e e n t h e fluvial a n d b e a c h c l a s t i c
s e d i m e n t s : a) p l o t of g r a p h i c s t a n d a r d d e v i a t i o n (SI) v e r s u s i n c l u s i v e
g r a p h i c s k e w n e s s (SKI); b) plot of s t a n d a r d d e v i a t i o n (S) v e r s u s m e a n
c u b i c d e v i a t i o n (MCD) ( F r i e d m a n , 1967)
SI. 2. B i v a r i a t n a d i a g r a m a za l o i t e v m e d r e n i m i in o b a l n i m i k l a s t i n i m i
s e d i m e n t i : a) d i a g r a m m e d g r a f i n i m s t a n d a r d n i m o d k l o n o m (SI) in
i n k l u z i v n o g r a f i n o a s i m e t r i n o s t j o (SKI); b) d i a g r a m m e d s t a n d a r d n i m
o d k l o n o m (S) in srednjim k u b i r a n i m o d k l o n o m ( M S D ) (Friedman, 1967)
Fig. 3. S c a t t e r p l o t of m e t r i c m e d i a n (Md) v e r s u s q u a r t i l e d e v i a t i o n (QDa) a n d t h e i r e n v e l o p e s
r e p r e s e n t i n g fluvial (1), shore (2), e o l i a n (3) a n d q u i e t w a t e r (4) e n v i r o n m e n t s (BuUer &
M c M a n u s , 1972)
SI. 3. B i v a r i a n t n i d i a g r a m m e d m e t r i n o m e d i a n o (Md) i n k v a r t i l n i m o d k l o n o m (QDa) s polji, ki
opredeljujejo r e n e (1), o b a l n e (2), e o l s k e (3) i n m i r n o v o d n e (4) s e d i m e n t e (Buller & M c M a n u s ,
1972)

population is present in about one half of the analyzed samples, with the average
amount of about 20 %. The rolling and sliding population was established only in 5 %
of analyzed samples, with the mean amount of about 6 %.
On the basis of statistical parameters of the distribution of lengths of long axes of
sections of quartz grains of the Val Gardena sandstones in the area between Cerkno
and Sovodenj their depositional environment is interpreted as fluvial. This interpre
tation is also confirmed by other criteria such as: sedimentary structures, vertical
succession of lithofacies and their lateral correlation, etc. ( S k a b e r n e , 1995).

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank colleagues J. ar and B. Ogorelec for their valuable com
ments on the manuscript as well as S. Pire for translating it. I would also like to
extend my thanks to M. Rarer for the drawings.
 Interpretacija sedimentacijskega okolja na osnovi porazdelitve
velikosti zrn peenjakov grdenske formacije na obmoju med
Cerknim in Smrejem, Slovenija

Uvod

Klastine kamnine grdenske formacije grade v Sloveniji najveji sklenjeni pas na

obmoju med Cerknim in Smrejem, ki pripada idrijsko-irovski narivni enoti (M 1 a-
k a r, 1969). Po dvodelni razdelitvi perma jo uvramo v spodnji del zgornjega perma.
Talnino grdenski formaciji predstavljajo temno sive klastine kamnine, ki jim pripi
sujemo karbonsko starost, njihov zgornji del pa je lahko tudi spodnjepermske staro
sti. Kontakt s talnino je diskordanten. Prehod v krovnino, ki jo sestavljajo zgornje-
permske karbonatne kamnine, pa je postopen in konkordanten.
V grdenski formaciji so najbolj zastopani peeni faciesi. V menjavi z njimi se
javljajo e konglomeratni in mulj asti faciesi, v katerih so ponekod prisotne tudi
kalcitne in dolomitne konkrecije. Glede na zastopanost smo pri raziskavah grdenske
formacije posvetili najvejo pozornost peenjakom.
Kot klastina sedimentna kamnina je peenjak sestavljen iz terigenih zrn in ke
mino izloenih mineralov. Zato so njegove lastnosti odvisne od lastnosti zrn in nai
na njihove povezave. Tako lahko znailnost agregata sedimentnih zrn (P) opredelimo
kot funkcijo njihove sestave (c), velikosti (s), oblike (sh), orientacije (o) in zgoenosti
(p) ( G r i f f i t h s , 1961, 1967).

P = f (c, s, sh, o, p)

Doloitev enega podanih parametrov je obiajno delno odvisna od drugih. Osnov

ne lastnosti trdno vezanih kamnin, ki se ne dajo dezintegrirati na posamezna zrna
brez vpliva na njihovo prvotno velikost in obliko, lahko doloamo le v zbruskih. V
tem primeru se navedenim pridrui e ena spremenljivka, to je smer preseka prek
agregata zrn kamnine.
V nadaljevanju se bomo od navedenih lastnosti omejili na velikost oziroma poraz
delitev velikosti terigenih zrn v obravnavanih kamninah.
Velikost zrn peskov in peenjakov, ki se dajo dezintegrirati na posamezna zrna,
obiajno doloamo s sejanjem. Pri dezintegraciji pa uniimo povezave med zrni ozi
roma njihov zlog, ki ga opredeljujemo z orientacijo (o) in zgoenostjo (p) zrn. Tako je
doloitev velikosti zrn (P^) odvisna le e od sestave (c), velikosti (s) in oblike (sh) zrn.

= f (c, s, sh)

Zaradi pomembnosti velikosti zrn oziroma njihove porazdelitve v peenjakih

tako iz tehninega kakor iz genetskega vidika so razlini avtorji ( F r i e d m a n , 1958,
1962; A d a m s , 1977; H a r r e l l & E r i k s s o n , 1979; J o h n s o n , 1994) skuali doloiti
korekcijske faktorje za spremembo v zbruskih doloene velikosti presekov zrn v
velikosti zrn, opredeljenih s sejalno metodo. Pri tem se sreujemo s problemi definici
je velikosti, ki je odvisna od uporabljene metode ( A l l e n , 1968) in doloitvijo "prave"
velikosti v zbruskih, ki predstavlja tudi matematini problem. Analiza omenjenih
problemov presega na okvir in jih je v novejem asu obravnaval J o h n s o n (1994).
V sedimentni petrologiji se e od nekdaj prizadevajo uporabiti zrnavost sedimenta
za doloitev okolja njihovega nastanka.
 Porazdelitev velikosti z m v klsticitl secmentnih kamninah je odvisna od zna
ilnosti izvornih kamnin, naina preperevanja, porazdelitve velikosti zrn v preperin-
skem materialu, naina transporta, pogojev usedanja in konno od postsedimentacij-
skih procesov. Ugotavljanje sedimentacijskega okolja na osnovi porazdelitve velikosti
zrn temelji na predvidevanju, da nanjo najbolj vplivajo hidrodinamine lastnosti t o
ka med transportom in sedimentacijo, pri emer naj bi v doloenem sedimentacij-
skem okolju vladale zanj znailne hidrodinamine razmere. Prav slednje predstavlja
jo enega najvejih problemov, kajti enaki ali zelo podobni sedimentacijski procesi
oziroma hidrodinamine razmere nastopajo v razlinih sedimentaci]skih okoljih in
tako podobno vplivajo na porazdelitve velikosti zrn.
Zato so doloitve paleosedimentacijskega okolja in sedimentacijskih procesov v
njih na osnovi porazdelitve zrnavosti le delno uspeni.
Kljub navedenim pomislekom smo se odloili poskusiti uporabiti porazdelitve
velikosti presekov terigenih kremenovih zrn peene frakcije za interpretacijo naina
transporta in opredelitve okolja sedimentacije grdenskih peenjakov med Cerknim
in Smrejem.

Vzorevanje in metodologija

Analizirali smo 209 tokastih vzorcev iz 18 podrobno posnetih lokalnih profilih -

segmentih (OZS), ki zajemajo skupno debelino 1234 m in bolj ali manj reprezenta
tivno predstavljajo raziskovani volumen grdenskih kamnin. Lokalne profile - seg
mente lahko poveemo v pet regionalnih sestavljenih profilov (OZP): kofje, Sovo
denj, irovski Vrh, Goli Vrh in Lavrovec, ki so navedeni v smeri od NW proti SE.
V zbruskih smo pri poveavi 150 x z mikrometrskim okularjem merili dolge osi
200 kremenovih zrn. Kremenova zrna so bila sluajno doloena s tokovnim tevcem.
Z izborom ene vrste terigenih, kremenovih zrn smo zmanjali vpliv sestave na
doloanje velikosti. V sestavi grdenskih peenjakov so kremenova zrna tudi najbolj
zastopana, saj predstavljajo popreno 63 % populacije vseh terigenih zrn. Doline
presekov smo razdelili do velikosti 5 (0.03 mm) na razrede, iroke 1/4 , nato pa na
razrede 1/2 do najmanje merjene velikosti 7 (0.008 mm). Na osnovi teh podatkov
smo izraunali relativne in kumulativne frekvence, ki so sluile za nadaljnjo analizo.

Rezultati

Na osnovi kumulativnih relativnih frekvenc smo izrisali kumulativne porazdelit-

vene krivulje dolgih osi presekov kremenovih zrn s skalo na abcisi in z verjetnostno
skalo na ordinati. Iz kumulativne porazdelitvene krivulje smo oditali vrednosti za
izraun grafinih statistinih parametrov ( F o l k & W a r d , 1957): grafino srednjo
vrednost velikosti (MZ), inkluzivni grafini standardni odklon (SI), inkluzivno grafi
no asimetrinost (SKI) in grafino sploenost (KG). Poleg tega smo podali velikosti
v mm pri 1 % (C) in mediano (MD) ter izraunali kvartilni odklon (QDa) (Bu 11 e r &
M C M a n u s , 1972). Kljub teavam, ki izhajajo iz delno odprtih razredov v obmoju
najvejih in najmanjih zrn, na k a r opozarja F o l k (1966), smo poleg grafinih sta
tistinih parametrov iz podatkov relativnih frekvenc v razredih 1/4 z momentnim
raunom izraunali statistine parametre: povpreno velikost (M), standardni odklon
(S), asimetrinost (SKEW), sploenost (KURT), preprosto mero asimetrinosti
(ALFA) in srednji kubirani odklon (MCD) ( F r i e d m a n , 1967). Navedeni parametri
so za posamezne analizirane vzorce zbrani v tabeli 1, opisne statistike granu
lometrinih statistinih parametrov pa podajamo v tabeli 2.
Iz tabele 2 je razvidno, da se grafine in momentne vrednosti za srednjo vrednost
in standardni odklon sorazmerno dobro ujemajo. Velikost dolgih osi presekov kre-
menovih zrn se v raziskanih vzorcih spreminja od 6,0 (0,015 mm) do -2,4 (5,3 mm)
in znaa povpreno 2,16 (0,22 mm). Zrna so slabo do dobro, popreno srednje dobro
sortirana, medtem ko so njihove porazdelitve veinoma simetrine. V ekstremih so
porazdelitve zelo pozitivno do zelo negativno asimetrine. e pogledamo sploenost,
vidimo, da so krivulje veidel normalne (mezokurtine), zasledimo pa tudi zelo
sploene ali zelo oiljene krivulje. Navedeni opisni izrazi se nanaajo na kvantita
tivne meje, ki jih podajata F o l k in W a r d (1957). V splonem lahko reemo, da so
porazdelitve velikosti zrn v raziskanih vzorcih relativno normalne s povpreno
velikostjo 2,16 (0,22 mm) in povprenim standardnim odklonom 0,68 (0,094 mm).

Razprava

Analize porazdelitve velikosti zrn in njene interpretacije se lahko lotimo na dva

naina. V enem upotevamo kumulativno krivuljo porazdelitve velikosti zrn kot celo
to in jo skuamo interpretirati na osnovi hidrodinaminih znailnosti. V drugem
primeru pa obravnavamo znailnosti statistinih parametrov porazdelitev velikosti
zrn iz znanih, recentnih sedimentacijskih okolij in skuamo med njimi empirino
ugotoviti diskriminantne funkcije.
Eden izmed pionirjev preuevanja oblike kumulativnih krivulj je bil D o e g l a s
(1946). Ugotovil je, da velikosti zrn slede aritmetini verjetnostni funkciji in da nji
hove porazdelitve predstavljajo meanico dveh ali ve populacij, ki so posledice ra
zlinih mehanizmov transporta. I n m a n ( 1 9 4 9 ) j e v transportu prepoznal tri osnovne
tipe: kotaljenje ali drsenje in poskakovanje po dnu ter suspenzijo. Poleg tega je podal
nekaj misli o grafinih parametrih porazdelitve velikosti zrn: srednja velikost, sorti-
ranost (standardni odklon) in asimetrinost. S i n d o w s k i (1957) je nadaljeval delo
Doeglasa, vendar je uporabljal log-verjetnostne diagrame prikazovanja kumula
tivnih krivulj in jih glede na obliko empirino razdelil v skupine, ki pripadajo sedi
mentom razlinih sedimentacijskih okolij: eolskemu, limninemu, estuari]skemu,
obalnemu in elfnemu okolju. M o s s (1962, 1963) je ugotovil, da je porazdelitev veli
kosti zrn sestavljena iz normalno porazdeljenih podpopulacij, ki se premikajo s kota-
Ijenjem in drsenjem, poskakovanjem in v suspenziji. Posamezne podpopulacije imajo
svojo povpreno velikost in sortiranost. Kasneje je Vi s h e r (1965) v renih sedimen-
tih preueval odvisnost porazdelitve velikosti zrn od sedimentnih tekstur in razlinih
sedimentacijskih procesov v raznolikih sedimentacijskih okoljih (Vi s h e r , 1969).
Na osnovi teh spoznanj smo skuali v kumulativnih krivuljah opredeliti posame
zne genetske populacije. V raziskanih vzorcih smo lahko doloili vse tri populacije
velikosti zrn, ki so se premikala s kotaljenjem in drsenjem (Ro), poskakovanjem (Sa)
in v suspenziji (Su). Njihova prisotnost je prikazana v tabeli 1. Poleg tega smo v isti
tabeli podali poloaj prevojne toke med poskakujoo suspenzijsko populacijo. Ta
toka je doloena z ocenjeno maksimalno velikostjo zrn v suspenziji ( Su) in odstot
kom, koliino zrn, ki so se transportirala po dnu z mehanizmi talnega transporta
(BL %), s kotaljenjem, drsenjem in poskakovanjem.
Osnovne oblike kumulativnih porazdelitvenih krivulj so prikazane na sliki 1.
 Izmed 209 raziskanih vzorcev smo ugotovili le v 5,26 % prisotnost kotalee in
drsee populacije. Ob njeni prisotnosti se njena koliina spreminja od 1,5 do 16,0 %
in znaa povpreno 5,9 %. Minimalna velikost v omenjeni podpopulaciji je 0,75 (0,6
mm) do 0,2 (0,87 mm), povpreno 0,43 (0,74 mm).
Populacijo poskakujoih zrn smo zasledili v 99,04% raziskanih vzorcih. Ta popu
lacija sestavlja enotno populacijo v 40,8 %, medtem ko se v preostalih 58,2 % razdeh v
dve podpopulaciji (si. 1 b). Preseie, prevojna toka med obema podpopulacijama
poskakujoih zrn je v 46,2 % primerih nad premico enotne podpopulacije v tabeli 1
oznaeno z 2. To pomeni, da je poskakujoa populacija zrn v 46,2 % primerih pozitivno
asimetrina, oziroma vsebuje ve manjih zrn v primerjavi z njihovo priakovano ko
liino. V 12 % vzorcev je to preseie med podpopulacijama pod premico, ki predstav
lja enotno populacijo poskakujoih zrn v tabeli 1 oznaena z 2, kar kae na negativno
asimetrino populacijo poskakujoih zrn, oziroma vsebuje ve vejih zrn v primerjavi
z njihovo priakovano koliino. To kae na doloeno hidrodinamino separacijo tudi v
sami populaciji poskakujoih zrn, na kar je opozoril e V i s h e r (1965, 1969).
e pogledamo porazdelitve velikosti zrn v raziskanih vzorcih, vidimo, da pred
stavljata populaciji zrn, ki se premikajo s talnim transportom, s kotaljenjem, drsen
jem in poskakovanjem v tanki plasti po dnu kar 89,2 % vseh zrn.
Populacija suspenzijskih zrn je bila ugotovljena v 52,15 % raziskanih vzorcev, od
tega vsebujeta dva vzorca ali 0,04 % le to populacijo zrn. Povprena koliina sus
penzijske populacije znaa 10,8 %. V primeru, da analiziramo le vzorce, ki so vsebo
vali suspenzijsko populacijo zrn, znaa njena koliina povpreno 18,52 %. Maksimal
na velikost v suspenzijski populaciji je 2 (0,25 mm) do 4,50 (0,04 mm), povpreno
2,90 (0,15 mm) s standardnim odklonom 0,51 (0,05 mm).
Glede na primerjavo prikazanih podatkov (Tab. 1) z V i s h e r j e v i m i (1969, 1104,
Tab. 1) interpretiramo analizirane porazdelitve velikosti zrn kot produkt renega
sedimentacijskega okolja. Podrobneje hidrodinamine interpretacije, kakor so jih na
osnovi porazdelitev velikosti zrn izvajali M i d d l e t o n (1976), V i a r d in B r e y e r
(1979) in drugi, pa presegajo na okvir interpretacije. Kljub temu naj omenimo, da je
M i d d l e t o n (1976) na osnovi prekinitve (poloaja prevojne toke) med populacija
ma velikosti z m , ki se transportiraj o s kotaljenjem in drsenjem, in populacijo zrn v
prekinjeni suspenziji (intermitted suspension), ki sovpada s spodnjim delom popu
lacije poskakujoih zrn, doloil povpreno strino hitrost transportnega medija.
Pri preuevanju dinamike med transportom in sedimentacijo j e P a s s e g a ( 1 9 5 7 ,
1964) uporabil razmerja med najvejimi zrni pri 1 % na kumulativni krivulji (C) in
mediano (Md) v metrskih enotah strukturno raznolikih vzorcev. Pomembnost mak
simalne velikosti, ki naj bi odraala najvejo mo toka, so prepoznali tudi drugi
raziskovalci.
P a s s e g a (1957, 1964) je loil dva naina transporta: kotaljenje in suspenzijo.
Suspenzijo je nadalje delil na graduirano in homogeno suspenzijo ob dnu in na pela-
gino suspenzijo. Na osnovi posameznih nainov transporta je opredelil obalne, rene
in turbiditne tokove in pelagino suspenzijo. Iz P a s s e g o v e g a diagrama (1957,
1964), v katerega smo vnesli podatke analiziranih vzorcev, je razvidno, da se je
preteni del materiala transportiral v obliki graduirane talne suspenzije (graded bot
tom suspension), kar bi odgovarjalo populaciji poskakujoih zrn (saltation popula
tion) ( M o s s , 1962, 1963; V i s h e r , 1969).
Poleg hidrodinamine interpretacije kumulativne porazdelitvene krivulje in njeno
uvrstitev v hidrodinamino sedimentacijsko okolje smo preuevali tudi grafine in
momentne statistine parametre.
 S faktorsko analizo ( S k a b e r n e & S m o l e j , 1981) smo ugotovili, da sta
povprena velikost in asimetrinost med seboj odvisni in sta vezani na prvi faktor, ki
je obremenjen predvsem z asimetrinostjo. Drugi faktor opredeljujeta standardni
odklon in sploenost, pri emer ga prvi najbolj obremenjuje. Zato smo pregledali le
bivariantne diagrame z neodvisnimi spremenljivkami med grafino povpreno
velikostjo (MZ) in inkluzivnim grafinim standardnim odklonom (SI), ki louje
eolske sipine in rene sedimente ( F r i e d m a n , 1961), obalne in rene sedimente
( F r i e d m a n , 1967); obalne (obrene) sipine in rene sedimente ( M o i o l a & W e i s e r ,
1968). Diskriminantne funkcije M o i o l a in W e i s e r j a (1968) opredele vse raziskane
vzorce kot rene sedimente, medtem ko doloitev na osnovi F r i e d m a n o v i h dia
gramov (1961, 1967) ni znailna.
Boljo loljivost med obalnimi in renimi sedimenti kaeta Friedmanova diagra
ma med inkluzivnim grafinim standardnim odklonom (SI) in inkluzivno grafino
asimetrinostjo (SKI) (si. 2a) ( F r i e d m a n , 1967), v katerem je 85,6% raziskanih
vzorcev opredeljenih kakor reni sedimenti. e boljo loitev kae bivariantni dia
gram med momentno doloenim standardnim odklonom (S) in srednjim kubiranim
odklonom (MCD) (si. 2b), ( F r i e d m a n , 1967), v katerem je kar 95,7% raziskanih
vzorcev v polju renih sedimento v.
Zanimiv diagram za opredeljevanje sedimentacijskih okolij na osnovi granu
lometrinih parametrov med mediano (MD) in aritmetinim kvartilnim odklonom
(QDa) sta podala B u l l e r in M c M a n u s (1972). Ta louje "mirnovodne", rene,
eolske in obalne sedimente (si. 3). V polje renih sedimentov pade kar 97,6%
razisl^nilivzorcev,. . . . ...

Sklepi

Na velikost zrn oziroma njihovo porazdelitev vpliva mnogo dejavnikov, zato je

njihova uporaba pri interpretaciji paleosedimentacijskega okolja omejena. Ob njiho
vi uporabi v te namene pa moramo upotevati e vse druge relevantne kriterije, npr.
sedimentne teksture, prostorsko sosledje faciesov, fosile, druge strukturne parametre
itd.
V analiziranih vzorcih se grafini in momentno izraunani podatki srednje veliko
sti in standardnega odklona, kljub odprtim razredom na obeh konceh porazdelitvene
krivulje, relativno dobro ujemajo, medtem ko so razlike pri asimetrinosti in
sploenosti nekoliko veje.
Porazdelitve velikosti presekov zrn, doloenih v zbruskih, so lahko v nekih prime
rih zadovoljiv pribliek porazdelitvam pravih velikosti zrn. Njihovi prikazi na log -
verjetnostih diagramih lahko sluijo za interpretacijo naina transporta. Veina razi
skane peene frakcije grdenskih peenjakov pripada poskakujoi populaciji. Sus-
penzijska populacija je prisotna v priblino polovici analiziranih vzorcev s povpreno
koliino priblino 20 %. Kotalea in drsea populacija pa je bila ugotovljena le v 5 %
analiziranih vzorcev, s povpreno koliino priblino 6 %.
Na osnovi statistinih parametrov porazdelitev velikosti presekov kremenovih zrn
peenjakov grdenske formacije med Cerknim in Smrejem interpretiramo okolje
njihovega nastanka kot reno. Tako interpretacijo potrjujejo tudi drugi kriteriji v
podrobno posnetih profilih: sedimentne teksture, vertikalno zaporedje litofaciesov in
njihova lateralna korelacija itd. ( S k a b e r n e , 1995).
 Zahvala

Zahvaljujem se kolegom J. Carju in B. Ogorelcu za koristne pripombe k rokopisu

in S. Pircu, ki ga je prevedel. Poleg tega se zahvaljujem M. Karer za risbe.

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