Balta

Current release: 1.1.0

Source code license: GPL-3.0-only · Sample data license: CC BY 4.0

Balta is a scientific desktop application for processing and visualising grain-size distribution data used in Quaternary and palaeoenvironmental research.

Main window	Plot selection

Download

Windows users can download the compiled application from the latest GitHub release. No Python installation is required.

Features

• Imports and validates structured sedimentological datasets from Excel.
• Calculates grain-size statistics and sediment classifications.
• Generates publication-ready grain-size histograms, statistical plots, colour bars, and lithological columns.
• Exports figures to SVG and TIFF.
• Includes example datasets associated with published research.

Example output

Colour bar vs depth	Lithological column

Requirements

• Compiled application: Windows 10 or later.
• Development from source: Windows 10 or later and Python 3.11.

Development setup

py -3.11 -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
python Balta.py

Use the sample .xlsx workbooks in sample_data/ to explore the supported input format. The Structure of the Excel file button shows the expected column layout.

Sample datasets

The sample Excel workbooks are provided under CC BY 4.0. Reuse must include attribution to all dataset authors, a link to the license, an indication of changes, and the corresponding publication citation. See the data licensing and attribution notice.

HoVie and Döpe

• Data_Döpe.xlsx
• Data_HoVie05.xlsx
• Data_HoVie06.xlsx
• Data_HoVie07.xlsx
• Data_HoVie08.xlsx

Dataset: PANGAEA

Related publication: Ruchkin, M., Lorenz, S., Adolph, M. L., & Haberzettl, T. (2026). Using portable luminescence profiling to refine 14C and OSL-based chronologies of lacustrine littoral sedimentary sequences: a case study from Schweriner See (NE Germany). Catena, 271, 110209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2026.110209

Sverdlov Factory

• Data_Sverdlov Factory.xlsx

Related publication: Ruchkin, M. V., Sheetov, M. V., Taldenkova, E. E., Pushina, Z. V., Dudanova, V. I., Ovsepyan, Y. S., Konstantinov, E. A., Nosevich, E. S., & Mustafin, M. A. (2025). Paleohydrological changes in the eastern Baltic Sea during the Middle/Late Pleistocene transition and the Last Interglacial. Quaternary Science Reviews, 360, 109244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2025.109244

Build a Windows executable

python -m PyInstaller Balta.spec --noconfirm --clean

The executable is written to dist/. Build output and executables are ignored by Git; publish distributable binaries through GitHub Releases instead.

Project layout

• Balta.py — backward-compatible application launcher
• balta/app.py — composition of the main application components
• balta/ui.py and balta/widgets.py — dialogs and reusable Qt widgets
• balta/data.py — Excel loading and data aggregation
• balta/dataset.py — validated workbook model and grain-class aggregation
• balta/calculations.py — grain-size statistics and interpolation
• balta/plotting.py — Matplotlib plots and plot export
• balta/plot_types.py — canonical plot identifiers and handler mappings
• balta/svg.py — lithological SVG generation and pattern rendering
• balta/pattern_converter.py — testable SVG artwork-to-pattern conversion
• balta/exporting.py — testable SVG and TIFF file writers
• balta/resources.py — source/PyInstaller resource lookup
• tools/SVG_to_pattern.py — development helper for converting SVG artwork into hatch patterns
• images/ — UI reference images
• patterns/ — bundled lithological SVG patterns
• sample_data/ — example Excel workbooks
• Balta.spec — PyInstaller build definition

License

The Balta source code is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 only (GPL-3.0-only). The sample Excel workbooks are separately licensed under CC BY 4.0. See the separate data license notice for scope and attribution details.

The data license does not cover the journal articles, CDR templates, bundled SVG patterns, TIFF images, trademarks, or third-party materials. See the individual notices and attribution information before redistributing those materials.