Projects / Programmes
Sedimentology and mineral resources
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P460 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Sedimentology |
Sedimentology, carbonate and clastic rocks, mineral resources, metamorphic rocks, eruptive rocks and tuffs, clays, regional geology, tectonics, sedimentary basins, geoinformatics
Researchers (16)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0215 |
Geological Survey of Slovenia |
Ljubljana |
5051410000 |
11,243 |
Abstract
Sediments and sedimentary rocks occupy over 90 % of the territory of Slovenia. The most widespread are carbonate rocks - limestones and dolomites, which predominate in mountainous areas and in the Dinaric karst. Clastic sediments are common too, particularly in northeastern Slovenia, in the Sava Folds and flysch basins of Primorska. Quaternary sediments occur in tectonic depressions and lowland areas. The remaining few percents of the territory belong to igneous and metamorphic rocks of Pohorje, Kozjak and Strojna.
All above mentioned rocks are classified as non-metal mineral raw materials (arhitectonic stone, materials for ceramic and chemical industry), or as the carriers of coal, oil, gas, uranium or metal ores. Sedimentary formations are important reservoirs of potable and thermal waters, and consequently, subjected to human pollution.
The program is a continuation of a research carried out in the past years, aimed to extend the knowledge of geological setting and mineral resources of Slovenia. It has essentially fundamental character, but the data obtained have a broad application. Owing to its position on the junction of three large tectonic units - Alps, Dinarides and the Pannonian basin - Slovenia has very complex lithological composition, the rocks ranging in age from Paleozoic to Quaternary and settled in various depositional environments.
In the program, the rocks and mineral deposits will be traced through their whole life circle, encompassing geological environments and processes of their formation, through erosion and transport to the environments of re-deposition and diagenesis. The research should answer the questions about their composition, texture and genesis, and in this manner, contribute to better knowledge of our territory. New data on sedimentological, petrological, mineralogical, geochemical, petrophysical, stratigraphic and structural characteristics of sedimentary basins will be obtained, and in this way, their complex developments recognized. By the data interpretation, the potential of each geological source and area will be estimated, and that is particularly important for economical investments in research and exploitation of domestic, particularly long-term deficient natural raw material resources.
The program has strong interdisciplinary character, as well as inside the country as in the international sphere. The work and data are interrelated with other geological projects carried out by Geological Survey of Slovenia (geological mapping, environmental studies, water resources), and also, by other geological institutions in Slovenia and abroad.
Significance for science
The study of sedimentary formations and sedimentary basins is important for international professional community and the development of geoscience. Slovenia is situated in a junction area of three large geotectonic units: Alps, Dinarides and the Pannonian Basin. For this reason, Slovenia is a key-area for understanding of the whole Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian realm and regional development of rock formations. It is particularly important for correlation of neighboring basins. Besides the above mentioned geotectonic position, some specific geological relations can be studied only in Slovenia, like karst in the sense of »locus tipicus« , Velenje coal deposit which is the second largest coal seam in the World and was formed by a rapid subsidence of the Velenje Basin, and Idria mercury mine, the second largest mercury mine in the World. Among the most important scientific developments of the programme group are the studies of catastrophic boundaries in geological history. Except for mass extinction of organisms recorded by the change of fossil assemblages, the change in isotopic composition of limestones and dolomites has been recognized. Particularly important is Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary which is developed in Slovenia in the Kras area in the facies of shallow-water limestones. This development is unique on the World's scale because the boundary commonly occurs in the facies of deep-water marly sediments. Permian/Triassic boundary has been recognized in several sections in the Karavanke Mts. and in the Idria area. Both geological boundaries are treated in detail in international and national professional magazines. With respect to a small surface area and exceptional geological diversity, Slovenia can be regarded as a training polygon for education of new geological cadres, for professional excursions, and as a potential area to develop new geotrails and geoparks. Intensive international connections are reflected in cooperation with geologists from related geological institutions abroad, and in a number of common scientific publications.
Significance for the country
Although the programme's primary task are basic studies of sediments, sedimentary rocks and sedimentary basins, its relevance for the country's economical and social development is appreciable. The results will influence many decisions related to the country's economy and energy supply, particularly exploitation of metal, non-metal and mineral resources, and classical and renewable energy resources like coal, petroleum and geothermal. The carriers for all above mentioned resources are sediments and sedimentary rocks. Non-metal mineral resources (technical and ornamental stone, marl, tuff, quartzoze sand, chert, calcite, clay) are mainly produced by open-pit mining and are important raw materials in civil ingeneering, industry (ceramical, chemical, glass, water supply, metal) and metalurgy. Beneficiaries are among energy suppliers, too - particularly the producers of electric power from fossil fuels (coal), and the users of geothermal energy (spas, district heating, green-houses, geothermal power plants). Programme group staff cooperated in other research activities, too. Very important are related to the mineral resources data base, directives in mining and exploitation of mineral resources, in space planning, and protection and revitalization of environment. For that reason the programme is very important in the country's management (Ministry of Economy; Ministry of Environment, Spatial planning and Energy), and provides a firm professional support to mining and civil engineering activities. A part of the accomplished work supported a number of basic and thematic geological maps. The most relevant are Geological Map of Kozjansko, scale 1:50.000, and the maps that are in the final stage of elaboration or preparation for the press (Cerkno and Žiri – Paleozoic and Mesozoic deep-water sediments, Val Gardena uranium-bearing clastic sedimentary rocks; Krško – new geological parameters relevant in geological studies of the surrounding of our nuclear power plant). Particularly valuable is the data obtained for the monograph »Geology of Slovenia« which is in the stage of final preparation for press. We cooperated in elaboration of the book »Geology of Central Europe« by submission of some chapters on Tertiary formations in Slovenia. We were engaged in »Explanations« to the maps of the Circum-Pannonian realm. During the last years, our knowledge of several km thick Neogene sedimentary complex in NE Slovenia has been appreciably extended. The study meets economy demands related to exploration and exploitation of petroleum, gas and geothermal energy. Based on the recognition of fossiliferous fauna, lithology and mineralogy, Neogene successions have been subdivided into seven formations. Our studies encompassed mainly the Mura Basin, and only subordinately the region of Slovenske Gorice, Haloze and Kozjansko. A firm petrographic knowledge of outcropping tectonic units is important in interpretation of subsurface geology. Sediments subjected to human pollution were an important topic of our research. The studies of recent sediments in the Slovenian territorial sea and in the Lake Bled attracted the attention of international professional community. Thanks to the programme, we dispose of nearly complete figure of grain-size, and the content of heavy metals and organic pollutants in the marine sediment. The data enables to draw a distinction between geologic and human pollutants. Restoration is important in sustainment of cultural and historical heritage. Particularly the supply of suitable natural building stone enables authentic and high-quality restoration of valuable objects. We successfully cooperated in the outdoor staircase restoration in the Bled Isle by finding suitable building stone, identic in appearance and composition as the original.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
