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Found 7 results.

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) measurements of floodplain sediments from NEP 1, NEP 2 and NEP 3 from Nördlingen, southern Germany

This data set presents bulk sample-based X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) measurements. For XRF sample preparation freeze-dried sediments from silt-clay overbank deposits of the Eger floodplain in Southern Germany were seaved (2mm) to discard the gravel fraction and large organic matter. Further homogenization was undertaken by grinding the samples with PM 200 planetary ball mill from Retsch. 8 g of sediment sample (<30 µm) homogenized in the ball mill were mixed with 2 g of special wax and homogenized with a shaker. Uniform pellets were formed using a Vaneox press at 20 t for 2 minutes. Elemental analyses were conducted in a He atmosphere using a Spectro Xepos energy dispersive XRF spectrometer.

Grain size analysis of floodplain sediments from NEP 1, NEP 2, and NEP 3 from Nördlingen, southern Germany

For grain size distribution of floodplain sediments, sediment samples were first sieved through a 2 mm diameter sieve. Samples less than 2 mm in diameter (10 g) were left overnight in 50 ml of 35 % hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and heated the next day to remove organic matter. Subsequently, the samples were dispersed using 10 ml of 0.4 N sodium pyrophosphate solution (Na4P2O7) and got ultrasonic treatment for 45 minutes. Grain size analysis was performed for the sand fraction using the dry sieving technique (2000-630 µm: coarse sand, 630-200 µm: medium sand, 200-125 µm: fine sand, 125-63 µm: very fine sand). The finer fractions (63-20 µm: coarse silt, 20-6.3 µm: medium silt, 6.3-2.0 µm: fine silt, 2.0-0.6 µm: coarse clay, 0.6-0.2 µm: medium clay and <0.2 µm: fine clay) were measured by X-ray granulometry (XRG) using a SediGraph III 5120 (Micromeritics). Freely available program GRADISTAT v9.1 was used to calculate D50 (median of grain size), D75/D25 and D75-D25.

Field parameters and biochemical soil properties from NEP 1, NEP 2, NEP 3, Nördlingen, southern Germany

Soil physical-biogeochemical analyses were carried out on profiles NEP1, NEP2 and NEP3. Soil TC and TN were determined by CNS analysis, and total organic carbon (TOC) was determined by the difference between total inorganic carbon (TIC) and TC. Carbonate (CaCO₃) content was measured volumetrically using a Calcimeter and on air-dried, sieved (< 2 mm) and ground (ball mill) samples. The pH-values were measured on samples of profiles NEP1, NEP2, NEP3, which had less than 2% CaCO₃ content. Stable isotope ratios of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were analysed for the differentiation of C3 and C4 plants and the cultivation of legumes. The analyses were performed on air-dried, sieved (< 2mm) and ground (ball mill) samples. For ¹³C analysis, the soil samples were decarbonised with 10% HCl. In the field, separate samples were collected for the NEP1 and NEP2 profiles (28 samples in total) for analysis of urease activity and microbial biomass carbon (Cmic). Samples were stored at -18°C. Urease activity (enzyme analysis) is used to provide information on the input of urea and animal excrement. The mutual relationship between urease and Cmic was used to show and understand the past and present input of urea into the soil.

Luminescence dating of sediment samples from NEP 1 and NEP 3, Nördlingen, southern Germany

We established a luminescence based chronology by dating 7 samples collected from profiles NEP 1 and NEP 3. The methods allows to determine the last sunlight exposure of sediment grains (commonly quartz and feldspar). All measurements were conducted in the luminescence laboratory within the Geo-and Environmental research center in Tübingen. We used a so called pIR150 protocol on polyminerals. The results point to various periods of deposition between approximately 1-8 ka.

Radiocarbon dating and charcoal identification record from NEP 1, NEP 2, NEP 3, NEP 4, Nördlingen, southern Germany

The charcoal fragments found during the excavation of NEP soil profiles downstream of the course of the Eger River (on the northern outskirts of Nördlingen) were anthracologically examined and determined to the lowest possible taxonomic rank. Subsequently some of them were radiocarbon dated at the Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum Archäometrie gGmbH (CEZA). The samples were pretreated with HCl, NaOH and HCl using the ABA method (Acid/Base/Acid). The ¹⁴C content was measured with a MICADAS AMS-System. Radiocarbon ages are given as uncalibrated measurements in "kiloyears before present".

Micropalaeontological data from NEP1, NEP2, NEP3, Nördlingen, southern Germany

Three soil profiles from the Eger floodplain in Nördlingen in southern Germany (NEP1, NEP2 and NEP3), were sampled and micropalaeontological data were collected. Samples were weighted, wet sieved through 125 µm, dried on a heating plate at <60°C, and studied under a stereomicroscope at the University of Jena, Germany. Some specific particles of interest (plant remains, charcoal, mollusc and brick fragments) were assessed in semiquantitative abundance classes for each sample, while all other particles of interest were picked and counted in absolute abundances. This includes Mollusca, Ostracoda, reworked microfossils, macrobotanical remains (seeds and fruits), and insect and bone fragments. Where possible, taxa were identified down to species level. The data allow to develop a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction through the soil profiles, and can provide information on fluvial activity, landscape development and the general hydrological situation through time. It can in combination with other data corroborate the correlation of the three profiles and the interpretation of the depositional history in the Eger floodplain.

Multidisciplinary analyses of sediment-soil profiles from the Eger floodplain (Nördlingen, southern Germany)

This field campaign is part of the DFG projects SPP 2361: On the Way to the Fluvial Anthroposphere and Local pathways to the Fluvial Anthroposphere at Echaz (Rhine) and Eger (Danube). A comparative analysis from c. AD 1100 to 1800, which aim to investigate the pre-industrial floodplains of Central Europe. In spring 2023, during the construction of a new logistics building in Nördlingen (southern Germany), soil-sediment profiles were hand-excavated, each to a depth of 1 m. The profiles NEP 1, NEP 2, NEP 3 were sampled and analysed. The following analyses were performed on the bulk-soil-sediment samples: grain-size analysis, XRF-based elemental analysis, CNS-Analysis, pH-value measurements, urease activity, microbial biomass carbon analysis, stable isotope analysis, molluscs and microfossils analysis, and luminescence dating. In addition, charcoal samples from all three profiles and one additional sample from NEP 4 profile (this profile was not sampled for soil-sediment analysis) were collected. Charcoal samples were determined to the lowest possible taxonomic level and radiocarbon dated.

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