The results of studies of a unique geological nature sanctuary – a cold travertine spring Vas’kin Klyuch with cascade waterfalls (the basin of the Sukhona River, Vologda district) are presented in the paper. For the frst time, the carbonate condensation is described along the spring profle beginning from the stream source. The geological and morphological features, four typical travertine-producing zones, classifcation characteristics and genetic specifcity of the spring are established. The chemical composition of travertines along the spring profle is studied. The nonuniform composition of travertines and isotope fractionation of carbon and oxygen during condensation to calcite and dolomite are found. It is concluded that the spring can be used as a standard object of cold meteoric origin and also for study of mechanism of plants infuence to the process of travertines formation.

Figures 4. Tables 2. References 24.

Key words: travertine, hydrothermal spring, cold spring, falls, mineralogy of carbonates

T.G. Shumilova, Institute of Geology Komi SC UB RAS, ul. Pervomaiskaya 54, Syktyvkar, 167982 Russia; shumilova@geo.komisc.ru

S.I. Isaenko, Institute of Geology Komi SC UB RAS, ul. Pervomaiskaya 54, Syktyvkar, 167982 Russia;

N.V. Yashin, Institute of Geology Komi SC UB RAS, ul. Pervomaiskaya 54, Syktyvkar, 167982 Russia

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