A 200 Year Sub-Annual Record of Sulfate in West Antarctica, from Sixteen Ice Cores

Sixteen high-resolution ice-core records from West Antarctica and South Pole are used to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of sulfate for the last 200 years. The preservation of seasonal layers throughout the length of each record results in a dating accuracy of better than 1 year based on known global-scale volcanic events. A dual transport source for West Antarctic sea-salt (ss) SO42- and excess (xs) SO42- is observed: lower-tropospheric for areas below 1000m elevation and mid-/upper-tropospheric/stratospheric for areas located above 1000m. Our XsSO(4)(2-) records with volcanic peaks removed do not display any evidence of an anthropogenic impact on West Antarctic SO42- concentrations but do reveal that a major climate transition takes place over West Antarctica at similar to 1940. Global-scale volcanic eruptions appear as significant peaks in the robust-spline residual xsSO(4)(2-) records from sites located above 1000 m elevation but do not appear in the residual records from sites located below 1000 m.

Imaging the Heliosphere using neutral Atoms from Solar Wind Energy down to 15 eV

We study the spatial and temporal distribution of hydrogen energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) from the heliosheath observed with the IBEX-Lo sensor of the Interstellar Boundary EXplorer (IBEX) from solar wind energies down to the lowest available energy (15 eV). All available IBEX-Lo data from 2009 January until 2013 June were included. The sky regions imaged when the spacecraft was outside of Earth's magnetosphere and when the Earth was moving toward the direction of observation offer a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio even at very low energies. We find that the ENA ribbon—a 20° wide region of high ENA intensities—is most prominent at solar wind energies whereas it fades at lower energies. The maximum emission in the ribbon is located near the poles for 2 keV and closer to the ecliptic plane for energies below 1 keV. This shift is an evidence that the ENA ribbon originates from the solar wind. Below 0.1 keV, the ribbon can no longer be identified against the globally distributed ENA signal. The ENA measurements in the downwind direction are affected by magnetospheric contamination below 0.5 keV, but a region of very low ENA intensities can be identified from 0.1 keV to 2 keV. The energy spectra of heliospheric ENAs follow a uniform power law down to 0.1 keV. Below this energy, they seem to become flatter, which is consistent with predictions. Due to the subtraction of local background, the ENA intensities measured with IBEX agree with the upper limit derived from Lyα observations.

A simulation study on the statistical monitoring of condemnation rates from slaughterhouses for syndromic surveillance: an evaluation based on Swiss data

Syndromic surveillance (SyS) systems currently exploit various sources of health-related data, most of which are collected for purposes other than surveillance (e.g. economic). Several European SyS systems use data collected during meat inspection for syndromic surveillance of animal health, as some diseases may be more easily detected post-mortem than at their point of origin or during the ante-mortem inspection upon arrival at the slaughterhouse. In this paper we use simulation to evaluate the performance of a quasi-Poisson regression (also known as an improved Farrington) algorithm for the detection of disease outbreaks during post-mortem inspection of slaughtered animals. When parameterizing the algorithm based on the retrospective analyses of 6 years of historic data, the probability of detection was satisfactory for large (range 83-445 cases) outbreaks but poor for small (range 20-177 cases) outbreaks. Varying the amount of historical data used to fit the algorithm can help increasing the probability of detection for small outbreaks. However, while the use of a 0·975 quantile generated a low false-positive rate, in most cases, more than 50% of outbreak cases had already occurred at the time of detection. High variance observed in the whole carcass condemnations time-series, and lack of flexibility in terms of the temporal distribution of simulated outbreaks resulting from low reporting frequency (monthly), constitute major challenges for early detection of outbreaks in the livestock population based on meat inspection data. Reporting frequency should be increased in the future to improve timeliness of the SyS system while increased sensitivity may be achieved by integrating meat inspection data into a multivariate system simultaneously evaluating multiple sources of data on livestock health.

Sediment mobilization deposits from episodic subsurface fluid flow—A new tool to reveal long-term earthquake records?

Subsurface fluid flow can be affected by earthquakes; increased spring activity, mud vol- cano eruptions, groundwater fluctuations, changes in geyser frequency, and other forms of altered subsurface fluid flow have been documented during, after, or even prior to seismic shaking. Recently discovered giant pockmarks on the bottom of Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, are the lake-floor expression of subsurface fluid flow. They discharge groundwater from the Jura Mountains karstic aquifers and experience episodically increased subsurface fluid flow documented by subsurface sediment mobilization deposits at the levees of the pockmarks. In this study, we present the spatio-temporal distribution of event deposits from these phases of sediment expulsion and of multiple time-correlative mass-transport deposits. We report five striking instances of concurrent multiple subsurface sediment deposits and multiple mass- transport deposits since late glacial times, for which we propose past earthquakes as a trigger. Comparison of this new event catalogue with historic earthquakes and other independent paleoseismic records suggests that initiation of sediment expulsion requires a minimum mac- roseismic intensity of VII. Thus, our study presents for the first time sedimentary deposits resulting from increased subsurface fluid flow as a paleoseismic proxy.

Calcareous dinoflagellate cycst in the mid-Cenomanian Boreal realm

A transect from the bathyal to proximal shelf facies of the Boreal Realm was investigated to compare spatial and temporal distribution changes of calcareous dinoflagellate cysts (c-dinocysts) throughout the mid-Cenomanian in order to gain information on the ecology of these organisms. Pithonelloideae dominated the cyst assemblages to more than 95% on the shelf, a prevalence that can be observed throughout most of the Upper Cretaceous. The affinity of this group with the dinoflagellates, which is still controversially discussed, can be confirmed, based on evidence from morphological features and distribution patterns. The consistent prevalence of Pithonella sphaerica and P. ovalis in c-dinocyst assemblages throughout the Upper Cretaceous indicates that they were produced more frequently than cysts of the other species and might, therefore, represent a vegetative dinoflagellate life stage. P. sphaerica and P. ovalis are interpreted as eutrophic species. P. sphaerica is the main species in a marginal-shelf upwelling area, offshore Fennoscandia. Here, sedimentary cyclicity appears to have been reduced to the strongest light/dark changes, while in the outer shelf sediments, light/dark cycles are well-developed and show pronounced temporal assemblage changes. Cyclic fluctuations in the P. sphaerica / P. ovalis ratio reflect shifts of the preferred facies zones and indicate changes in surface mixing patterns. During periods of enhanced surface mixing most parts of the shelf were well-ventilated, and nutrient-enriched surface waters led to high productivity and dominance of the Pithonelloideae. These conditions on the shelf contrasted with those in the open ocean, where more oligotrophic and probably stratified waters prevailed, and an assemblage with very few Pithonelloideae and dominance of Cubodinellum renei and Orthopithonella ? gustafsonii was characteristic. While orbitally-forced light/dark sedimentary cyclicity of the shelf sections was mainly related to surface-water carbonate productivity changes, no cyclic modulation of productivity was observed in the oceanic profile. Therefore, dark layer formation in the open ocean was predominantly controlled by the cyclic establishment of anoxic bottom water conditions. Orbitally-forced interruptions in mixing on the shelf resulted in cyclic periods of stratification and oligotrophy in the surface waters, an expansion of oceanic species to the outer shelf, and a shelfward shift of pithonelloid-facies zones, which were probably related to shelfward directed oceanic ingressions.

Palinoestratigrafía, paleoambientes y cambios climáticos durante el Cretácico final y Paleógeno de la Cuenca del Grupo Salta, República Argentina

El objetivo principal de la presente tesis es la búsqueda de nuevos registros palinológicos para las formaciones del Grupo Salta, especialmente para aquellas que cuentan con poco o ningún registro de palinomorfos, tales como las Formaciones La Yesera, Las Curtiembres, Yacoraite y Olmedo. Los resultados palinológicos permitieron evaluar algunos aspectos geológicos como las relaciones estratigráficas, edad y ambientes de depósito. El muestreo se centró principalmente en el período comprendido entre el Neocomiano y Daniano, correspondiente a los subgrupos con mayor escasez de datos (Pirgua y Balbuena). 157 muestras palinológicas de la Cuenca del Grupo Salta y áreas relacionadas se trataron en laboratorio, 31 resultaron fértiles. Se brindan los primeros registros palinológicos de la Formación La Yesera (localidad valle de Pucará) que consisten en 35 especies. Las inferencias aleoambientales obtenidas a partir de la palinoflora apoyan las conclusiones que provienen de los datos sedimentológicos: presencia de un lago perenne al momento de la depositación del Miembro Brealito y sequías estacionales cuando se acumuló el Miembro Don Bartolo. La palinoflora indica un clima subtropical con presencia de cierta aridez. A partir de los rangos estratigráficos de algunas especies y de las dataciones radimétricas del Basalto de Isonza, se estima una edad entre el Albiano y el Cenomaniano. Para la Formación Las Curtiembres (Miembro Morales) se describen 19 especies provenientes de la quebrada de Palo Seco, que constituyen la primer asociación palinológica registrada. El predominio de Ephedraceae y Cheirolepidiaceae, junto a la escasa representación de pteridofitas, sugieren condiciones ambientales de aridez a semiaridez, en coincidencia con la sedimentología que indica que la sección superior del Miembro Morales es transicional con las capas rojas de la parte superior de la Formación Las Curtiembres. La asociación palinológica contiene representantes de amplia distribución espacial y temporal. Es relevante la presencia de Peninsulapollis gillii que indica una edad no mayor al Campaniano para la asociación estudiada. Sólo una muestra de la Formación Yacoraite en la localidad de Tres Cruces fue productiva en cuanto al contenido de palinomorfos. La asociación consta solamente de los géneros Leiosphaeridia y Pediastrum que se asocian a condiciones de agua dulce o mixtas. Para la Formación Olmedo se registran 34 especies de palinomorfos y 39 especies para la Formación Tunal (localidades de Garabatal y El Chorro respectivamente). Ambas formaciones comparten un 49 % de taxa. El marcado predominio de algas clorococales indica condiciones lacustres y un ambiente palustre se infiere por la presencia de Pandaniidites texus y Mtchedlishvilia saltenia. El elevado porcentaje de Verrustephanoporites simplex indica que la selva de ulmáceas, era la unidad fitogeográfica más ampliamente distribuida, comparable con la actual Selva de Transición de la Provincia de Yungas. La coincidencia de facies y contenido palinológico indicarían similares condiciones ambientales para las Formaciones Olmedo y Tunal. Mtchedlishvilia saltenia permiten circunscribir las Formaciones al Daniano. Los cambios climáticos acontecidos durante el desarrollo de la Cuenca del Grupo Salta quedaron evidenciados en la palinoflora. Durante el Cretácico Tardío, habrían prevalecido condiciones de aridez y a partir del Maastrichtiano, el clima se torna más húmedo. Las asociaciones del Daniano se caracterizan por una palinoflora de clima subtropical húmedo. Entre el Paleoceno Superior y hasta el Eoceno Inferior, continúa el registro de la flora de clima subtropical pero con una leve disminución en la humedad. Las especies Peninsulapollis gillii, Rhoipites sp. A, Rousea patagonica, Spinitricolpites jennerclarkei, Verrustephanoporites simplex y Azolla sp., pasan el límite Cretácio-Paleógeno registrándose en sedimentos pre- y post-danianos. Se requieren mayores estudios de detalle en aquellos niveles donde está contenido el límite para esclarecer los posibles cambios vegetacionales que hayan ocurrido.

Age model and color measurements of sediment cores from the eastern equatorial Pacific

High-resolution records of glacial-interglacial variations in biogenic carbonate, opal, and detritus (derived from non-destructive core log measurements of density, P-wave velocity and color; r >= 0.9) from 15 sediment sites in the eastern equatorial (sampling resolution is ~1 kyr) clear response to eccentricity and precession forcing. For the Peru Basin, we generate a high-resolution (21 kyr increment) orbitally-based chronology for the last 1.3 Ma. Spectral analysis indicates that the 100 kyr cycle became dominant at roughly 1.2 Ma, 200-300 kyr earlier than reported for other paleoclimatic records. The response to orbital forcing is weaker since the Mid-Brunhes Dissolution Event (at 400 ka). A west-east reconstruction of biogenic sedimentation in the Peru Basin (four cores; 91-85°W) distinguishes equatorial and coastal upwelling systems in the western and eastern sites, respectively. A north-south reconstruction perpendicular to the equatorial upwelling system (11 cores, 11°N-°3S) shows high carbonate contents (>= 50%) between 6°N and 4°S and highly variable opal contents between 2°N and 4°S. Carbonate cycles B-6, B-8, B-10, B-12, B-14, M-2, and M-6 are well developed with B-10 (430 ka) as the most prominent cycle. Carbonate highs during glacials and glacial-interglacial transitions extended up to 400 km north and south compared to interglacial or interglacial^glacial carbonate lows. Our reconstruction thus favors glacial-interglacial expansion and contraction of the equatorial upwelling system rather than shifting north or south. Elevated accumulation rates are documented near the equator from 6°N to 4°S and from 2°N to 4°S for carbonate and opal, respectively. Accumulation rates are higher during glacials and glacial-interglacial transitions in all cores, whereas increased dissolution is concentrated on Peru Basin sediments close to the carbonate compensation depth and occurred during interglacials or interglacial-glacial transitions.

Chert intervals in DSDP and ODP sites (Table 1)

Radiolarian cherts in the Tethyan realm of Jurassic age were recently interpreted as resulting from high biosiliceous productivity along upwelling zones in subequatorial paleolatitudes the locations of which were confirmed by revised paleomagnetic estimates. However, the widespread occurrence of cherts in the Eocene suggests that cherts may not always be reliable proxies of latitude and upwelling zones. In a new survey of the global spatio-temporal distribution of Cenozoic cherts in Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) sediment cores, we found that cherts occur most frequently in the Paleocene and early Eocene, with a peak in occurrences at ~50 Ma that is coincident with the time of highest bottom water temperatures of the early Eocene climatic optimum (EECO) when the global ocean was presumably characterized by reduced upwelling efficiency and biosiliceous productivity. Cherts occur less commonly during the subsequent Eocene global cooling trend. Primary paleoclimatic factors rather than secondary diagenetic processes seem therefore to control chert formation. This timing of peak Eocene chert occurrence, which is supported by detailed stratigraphic correlations, contradicts currently accepted models that involve an initial loading of large amounts of dissolved silica from enhanced weathering and/or volcanism in a supposedly sluggish ocean of the EECO, followed during the subsequent middle Eocene global cooling by more vigorous oceanic circulation and consequent upwelling that made this silica reservoir available for enhanced biosilicification, with the formation of chert as a result of biosilica transformation during diagenesis. Instead, we suggest that basin-basin fractionation by deep-sea circulation could have raised the concentration of EECO dissolved silica especially in the North Atlantic, where an alternative mode of silica burial involving widespread direct precipitation and/or absorption of silica by clay minerals could have been operative in order to maintain balance between silica input and output during the upwelling-deficient conditions of the EECO. Cherts may therefore not always be proxies of biosiliceous productivity associated with latitudinally focused upwelling zones.

Las inundaciones en la ciudad de La Plata. Su análisis en relación con las precipitaciones durante las últimas décadas del siglo XX

En la cuenca del Plata, durante las últimas dos décadas del siglo XX, se desarrollaron importantes inundaciones producto de los cambios ocurridos en el sistema climático global y, como el área del Gran La Plata (partidos de Berisso, Ensenada y La Plata) no escapa a este problema, se ha tomado como caso para nuestra investigación. Se analiza la distribución temporal de las precipitaciones en la ciudad de La Plata (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina), para el período comprendido entre las últimas décadas del siglo XX y la actualidad. En el Gran La Plata el problema de las inundaciones es resultado de la confluencia de tres factores: las precipitaciones (sobre todo cuando se producen con gran intensidad), las napas freáticas que han aumentado su presión hacia arriba por haberse elevado y la sudestada que provoca la crecida de los ríos. El estudio se realizó considerando los valores diarios de precipitación disponibles para la localidad, brindados por estación meteorológica La Plata Aero, dependiente del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, y los datos de inundaciones obtenidos del diario "El Día", de circulación local. La variación temporal se estudió a escala anual y mensual, detectándose cambios en monto e intensidad que, además de responder al incremento de las precipitaciones acaecido en la pradera pampeana en las últimas décadas, son una llamada de atención para la planificación de futuros emprendimientos en la ciudad y toma de decisiones en el caso de eventos hidrológicos extremos, como es el caso de las inundaciones. En los resultados de este análisis se observó que las inundaciones en la década 1971 - 1980 fueron 25, y que se incrementaron a 78 en la última década estudiada (1991-2000).

Physico-chemical characteristics and ikaite content of brine and ice samples taken during SIPEX and DDU campaigns in East Antarctica, 2007

Calcium carbonate precipitation in sea ice is thought to potentially drive significant CO2 uptake by the ocean. However, little is known about the quantitative spatial and temporal distribution of CaCO3 within sea ice, although it is hypothesized that high quantities of dissolved organic matter and/or phosphate (common in sea ice) may inhibit its formation. In this quantitative study of hydrous calcium carbonate as ikaite, sea ice cores and brine samples were collected from pack and land fast sea ice between September and December 2007 during two expeditions, one in the East Antarctic sector and the other off Terre Adélie. Samples were analysed for CaCO3, salinity, dissolved organic carbon/nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, and total alkalinity. No relationship between these parameters and CaCO3 precipitation was evident. Ikaite was found mostly in the uppermost layers of sea ice with maximum concentrations of up to 126 mg ikaite per litre melted sea ice being measured, although both the temporal and horizontal spatial distributions of ikaite were highly heterogeneous. The precipitate was also found in the snow on top of the sea ice at some of the sampling locations.

Las inundaciones en la ciudad de La Plata. Su análisis en relación con las precipitaciones durante las últimas décadas del siglo XX

En la cuenca del Plata, durante las últimas dos décadas del siglo XX, se desarrollaron importantes inundaciones producto de los cambios ocurridos en el sistema climático global y, como el área del Gran La Plata (partidos de Berisso, Ensenada y La Plata) no escapa a este problema, se ha tomado como caso para nuestra investigación. Se analiza la distribución temporal de las precipitaciones en la ciudad de La Plata (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina), para el período comprendido entre las últimas décadas del siglo XX y la actualidad. En el Gran La Plata el problema de las inundaciones es resultado de la confluencia de tres factores: las precipitaciones (sobre todo cuando se producen con gran intensidad), las napas freáticas que han aumentado su presión hacia arriba por haberse elevado y la sudestada que provoca la crecida de los ríos. El estudio se realizó considerando los valores diarios de precipitación disponibles para la localidad, brindados por estación meteorológica La Plata Aero, dependiente del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, y los datos de inundaciones obtenidos del diario "El Día", de circulación local. La variación temporal se estudió a escala anual y mensual, detectándose cambios en monto e intensidad que, además de responder al incremento de las precipitaciones acaecido en la pradera pampeana en las últimas décadas, son una llamada de atención para la planificación de futuros emprendimientos en la ciudad y toma de decisiones en el caso de eventos hidrológicos extremos, como es el caso de las inundaciones. En los resultados de este análisis se observó que las inundaciones en la década 1971 - 1980 fueron 25, y que se incrementaron a 78 en la última década estudiada (1991-2000).

Las inundaciones en la ciudad de La Plata. Su análisis en relación con las precipitaciones durante las últimas décadas del siglo XX

En la cuenca del Plata, durante las últimas dos décadas del siglo XX, se desarrollaron importantes inundaciones producto de los cambios ocurridos en el sistema climático global y, como el área del Gran La Plata (partidos de Berisso, Ensenada y La Plata) no escapa a este problema, se ha tomado como caso para nuestra investigación. Se analiza la distribución temporal de las precipitaciones en la ciudad de La Plata (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina), para el período comprendido entre las últimas décadas del siglo XX y la actualidad. En el Gran La Plata el problema de las inundaciones es resultado de la confluencia de tres factores: las precipitaciones (sobre todo cuando se producen con gran intensidad), las napas freáticas que han aumentado su presión hacia arriba por haberse elevado y la sudestada que provoca la crecida de los ríos. El estudio se realizó considerando los valores diarios de precipitación disponibles para la localidad, brindados por estación meteorológica La Plata Aero, dependiente del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, y los datos de inundaciones obtenidos del diario "El Día", de circulación local. La variación temporal se estudió a escala anual y mensual, detectándose cambios en monto e intensidad que, además de responder al incremento de las precipitaciones acaecido en la pradera pampeana en las últimas décadas, son una llamada de atención para la planificación de futuros emprendimientos en la ciudad y toma de decisiones en el caso de eventos hidrológicos extremos, como es el caso de las inundaciones. En los resultados de este análisis se observó que las inundaciones en la década 1971 - 1980 fueron 25, y que se incrementaron a 78 en la última década estudiada (1991-2000).

(Table 1) Two-way travel times and depths of picked internal reflection horizons (IRHs) of the NGRIP ice core

During the summer of 2003, a ground-penetrating radar survey around the North Greenland Icecore Project (NorthGRIP) deep ice-core drilling site (75°06' N, 42°20' W; 2957 m a.s.l.) was carried out using a shielded 250 MHz radar system. The drill site is located on an ice divide, roughly 300 km north-northwest of the summit of the Greenland ice sheet. More than 430 km of profiles were measured, covering a 10 km by 10 km area, with a grid centered on the drilling location, and eight profiles extending beyond this grid. Seven internal horizons within the upper 120 m of the ice sheet were continuously tracked, containing the last 400 years of accumulation history. Based on the age-depth and density-depth distribution of the deep core, the internal layers have been dated and the regional and temporal distribution of accumulation rate in the vicinity of NorthGRIP has been derived. The distribution of accumulation shows a relatively smoothly increasing trend from east to west from 145 kg/m**2/a to 200 kg/m**2/a over a distance of 50 km across the ice divide. The general trend is overlain by small-scale variations on the order of 2.5 kg/m**2/a/km, i.e. around 1.5% of the accumulation mean. The temporal variations of the seven periods defined by the seven tracked isochrones are on the order of +-4% of the mean of the last 400 years, i.e. at NorthGRIP ±7 kg/m**2/a. If the regional accumulation pattern has been stable for the last several thousand years during the Holocene, and ice flow has been comparable to today, advective effects along the particle trajectory upstream of NorthGRIP do not have a significant effect on the interpretation of climatically induced changes in accumulation rates derived from the deep ice core over the last 10 kyr.

The distributions, C- and O-isotopic compositions, and frequency of giant-ooids

Early Triassic oceans were characterized by deposition of a number of "anachronistic facies", including microbialites, seafloor carbonate cement fans, and giant ooids. Giant ooids were particularly prevalent in Lower Triassic sections across South China and exhibit unusual features that may provide insights into marine environmental conditions following the end-Permian mass extinction. The section at Moyang (Guizhou Province) contains abundant giant ooids ranging in size between 2 and 6 mm (maximum 12 mm) and exhibiting various cortical structures, including regular, deformed, compound, regenerated and "domed". Preservation of ooid cortical structure is generally good as indicated by petrographic observations, and trace element and carbon isotope analyses suggest that diagenesis occurred in a closed diagenetic system. All ooids exhibit fine concentric laminae, frequently alternating between light-colored coarsely crystalline and dark-colored finely crystalline layers probably reflecting variation in organic content or original mineralogy. Under scanning electron microscope, biomineralized filaments or biofilms and tiny carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) crystals are commonly found in the finely crystalline layers. We infer that the precipitation of CFA was related to adsorption of P via microbial activity on the surfaces of ooids following episodic incursions of deep waters rich in carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and phosphate into shallow-marine environments. Giant ooid precipitation may have been promoted in shallow ramp settings during these events by increased watermass agitation and supersaturation with respect to calcium carbonate, as well as reduced carbonate removal rates through biotic skeletal formation. Spatio-temporal distribution data reveal that giant ooids were widespread in the Tethyan region during the Early Triassic, and that they were most abundant immediately after the end-Permian crisis and disappeared gradually as metazoans repopulated marine environments.

Tertiary flora of Saxony

The thesis represents the first part of a reference book to the Tertiary flora of Saxony. All taxa based on leaves of angiosperms and on Ginkgo are included in this compendium. After an overview about the geological state of knowledge on the Tertiary in Saxony, phytostratigraphic concepts are introduced and a historical survey on the Tertiary paleobotanical research in Saxony is given. All plant macrofossils published from Saxonian Tertiary until end of 2013 and their sites of discovery (primary data) were recorded. This data were supplemented by additional attributes and unified through project-based M.Sc. theses. Subsequently, taxa of fossil leaves were selected, their data evaluated and brought to a consistent state of research. Data sheets for 187 out of 235 examined taxa were established for a determination atlas. Macro- and micromorphological attributes are described in this atlas and information are given about the systematic, synonymy, palaeoecology and spatial and temporal distribution. The describing part is illustrated by images and instructive drawings. The documented data were surveyed and discussed related to their quality within the literature in the result part. A bibliography of the extensive palaeobotanical literature for plant fossils of Saxony completes the work. The taxon and locality related data are implemented into an open source geographical information system (GIS) in order to visualize and to manage them effectively. For the first time, the results of this thesis implemented in the GIS allow the generation of distribution maps for the taxa of leaves of Tertiary angiospermes and Ginkgo in Saxony. Furthermore it enables to query topographical, geological and paleobotanical information about the fossil sites. A determination key was developed for the fossil material that allows a rough determination of the findings in the field. The compendium will be available for free use in a printed as well as in a digital version.