ABSTRACT Since the end of LIA climatic amelioration results in retreat of glaciers worldwide and the development of glacial forelands with freshly abraded rock surfaces undergoing weathering. When the timing of glacier retreat is known, glacier forelands are highly valuable study sites to investigate initial and short-term weathering processes. The aim of this study is to quantify limestone surface decay in the foreland of Hallstätter Glacier in Dachtein massif, Austria, based on the measurement of surface micro-roughness and weathering rind characteristics. By establishing a post-LIA chronosequence we seek to gain insight into initial stages of weathering in a cold alpine environment. Micro-roughness was measured with a use of Handysurf E-35B electronic profilometer, and weathering rind characteristics were determined based on SEM equipped with a microprobe. The micro-roughness increases from locations close to the glacier front towards the LIA moraine. The greatest measured increase occurs within the first 50 years since deglaciation. Weathering rinds are manifested as zones of micro-cracks and micro-pits, and accumulation of mineral grains at the rock surface and along the micro-voids. Increasing rounding of the grains and their development along micro-fissures is attributed to limestone dissolution, which is probably responsible for the development of micro-pits, best observed after c. 100 years since deglaciation. No protecting shield in a form of a weathering coating was observed. Instead, the weathering rind thinning is attributed to the weathering rind erosion. Results obtained provide further insight into initial stages of limestone weathering in a cold alpine environment.

中文翻译：

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Hallstätter Glacier（达赫斯坦，奥地利）前陆石灰岩表面的微风化

摘要 自 LIA 结束以来，气候改善导致全球冰川退缩和冰川前陆的发展，新磨蚀的岩石表面正在经历风化。当已知冰川退缩的时间时，冰川前陆是研究初始和短期风化过程的非常有价值的研究地点。本研究的目的是基于对表面微粗糙度和风化外皮特征的测量，量化奥地利达赫泰因地块哈尔施泰特冰川前陆的石灰岩表面腐烂。通过建立 LIA 后时间序列，我们试图深入了解寒冷高山环境中风化的初始阶段。使用 Handysurf E-35B 电子轮廓仪测量微粗糙度，基于配备有微探针的 SEM 确定风化皮特性。微粗糙度从靠近冰川前沿的位置向 LIA 冰碛增加。自冰川消退以来的前 50 年内，测量到的增幅最大。风化皮表现为微裂缝和微坑带，以及矿物颗粒在岩石表面和沿微空隙的堆积。晶粒圆度的增加及其沿微裂缝的发展归因于石灰石的溶解，这可能是微坑发展的原因，最好在 c 之后观察到。冰川消退100年。没有观察到耐候涂层形式的保护罩。相反，风化皮变薄归因于风化皮侵蚀。