Projects / Programmes
Sedimentology and mineral resources
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2012
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P460 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Sedimentology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Sedimentology, carbonate and clastic rocks, mineral resources, metamorphic rocks, eruptive rocks and tuffs, clays, regional geology, tectonics, sedimentary basins, geoinformatics
Researchers (10)
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 development of new instrumental analytical techniques in chemistry and electron microscopy, and computer-managed mathematical methods that enable precise and high-probability process simulations comparative to those observed in the nature, has opened new possibilities of research in the field of geosciences, particularly in mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and economic geology. Classical methods like field work, elaboration of geological profiles and optical microscopy remain a firm basis for our studies that are upgraded by modern methods such as computer modelling of X-ray diffractograms and electron microscopy with microgeochemistry. The properties relevant for utilisation of minerals, sediments and rocks in industry, civil engineering and agriculture can be determined on a microscale, as well as the processes by which the rock formations and sediment deposits endanger people and their property, particularly in the sense of their state of weathering, gravitational instability or water-saturation. Computer-managed modelling of X-ray diffractograms of clays enable the forecasting of radioactive pollution in case of leakage in radioactive waste repositories, and to determine the changes in clay minerals caused by the incorporation of radioactive ions in the intralayer space or by absorption on the mineral surface. Our research is based on detailed, modern and integral knowledge of geological conditions in Slovenia, and the rock types encountered in geological formations. We study all aspects of rock, from their formation to degradation: the formation conditions, crystallisation, paragenesis, composition, postdepositional and postformational processes like diagenesis and metamorphism, tectonic history, degradation and weathering. We investigate the possibilities of rock utilisation as raw material, or to exploit them as reservoirs of hydrocarbons, coal, potable, mineral and thermal waters. The sediments and rocks are also studied as the source or carriers of pollutants on a micro- or macro-scale. Based on such knowledge we can response with quality and on time to actual problems in applied geosciences – mining, hydrogeology and engineering geology. Particularly important is the research encompassing petrography, geochemistry and geology of coal deposits in Slovenia. Coal is very important domestic conventional and available energy resource. Systematic research of coal types, their spatial distribution and calorific values is carried on, and processes of pollution caused by combustion of coal in small and large combustion systems are traced in the sense of environment protection. We also deal with the studies of geohazard assessment related to coal exploitation and deposition of the electrofilter waste ashes. Our programme group is firmly committed to combine the knowledge of basic research and applied science, and to disseminate the knowledge and experience to professional and laic communities, and to find use in the teaching programme at all levels, from the elementary school to the Ph.D. programmes. Modern knowledge on the properties of minerals, rocks and sedimentary formations is combined with the study of their use, availability and sustainability in the context of economy-based and socially accepted manner.
Significance for the country
The results of our investigations at the area of energy and other mineral resources and environmental issues, related to their extraction and process and slope mass movements (landslides, rock falls) are representing a good base for further work. The researches help us to better understand the processes inside particular before mentioned segments. The complete knowledge of geological conditions (bedrock composition of the area, natural sources, quality and quantity) is very important and one of the primary mission, and also strategic urgency of every country. The complete knowledge helps forward to more optimal planning and later exploitation in the field of mineral resources (including energy resources) and also to better spatial management in the sense of avoiding unstable areas. Co-workers of the research group are managing and maintaining mineral resources databases, others are designers of geological works in mining industry and designers and supervisors of construction works in mining industry. We are also setting ground for sound minerals management, and carrying out different expertise for mineral planning. Therefore the proposed programme has a strong significance for country activities (Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning) and great importance in the support of mining and construction industries. Investigations in the field of mineral and energetic raw materials will lead to more economical management of mineral resources in the future and solving of non-metallic raw materials supply and supply with raw materials for building industry, which leads to greater self-sufficiency of Slovenia in this field. Geochemical investigations of the areas, contaminated because of mineral resource exploitation and processing, lead to understanding of the complete societal benefits and environmental costs. With integration of obtained scientific knowledge from above mentioned fields, more appropriate basis for governmental, regional and local planning will be established.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
