Scientific mission
Activity of the department is oriented towards three directions.
- The first one is the mineralogical and geochemical investigation of ore and non-ore deposits in Slovakia and elsewhere in the World. Traditional analytical methods (electron probe micro-analysis, X-ray diffraction) are employed to characterize raw and dump materials mineralogically, chemically and structurally. Apart from this, fluid inclusion microthermometry, isotope ratio mass spectrometry combined with thermodynamic modeling are employed to decipher age and formation conditions of raw materials. This approach was applied to genetic studies of polymetallic ore deposits of Central Slovakian volcanics, magnesite, siderite, barite and stibnite deposits in Ore Mountains of Slovakia, and a polymetallic ore deposit in Kosovo. Recently, we are studying genesis of a phosphate deposit in Mozambique.
- The second thematic direction is aimed to deciphering thermal history of sedimentary basins from the viewpoint of a possible exploitation of oil and gaseous hydrocarbons. For this purpose we use a complex of geochemical methods, that include structural analysis of clay minerals, fluid inclusion microthermomtery, and vitrinite reflectance. These methods have been employed to investigation of possible oil and gas occurrences in Tertiary flysch sediments of Western Carpathians.
- The third thematic line is targeted on the material analysis of historical artefacts and artworks with the aim of determining mineral compositions of pigments, glazes and plasters, and petrographic investigation of sacral objects and historical buildings for the purpose of their restoration. This task is accomplished using traditional mineralogical, petrographical and imaging methods combined with non-destructive analyses provided by Raman spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence.
Staff
- Head of department:
doc. RNDr. Vratislav Hurai, DrSc.
- Staff:
RNDr. Adrián Biroň, CSc.
RNDr. Igor Broska, DrSc.
Mgr. Stanislava Budačová
RNDr. Marian Janák, DrSc.
doc. RNDr. Stanislav Jeleň, CSc.
RNDr. Júlia Kotulová, PhD.
Mgr. Sergii Kurylo, PhD.
RNDr. Jaroslav Lexa, CSc.
RNDr. Ján Madarás, PhD.
Mgr. Tomáš Mikuš, PhD.
Mgr. Stanislava Milovská, PhD.
Mgr. Rastislav Milovský, PhD.
RNDr. Igor Petrík, DrSc.
RNDr. Ľubica Puškelová
RNDr. Pavol Siman, PhD.
Mgr. Jozef Vlasáč, PhD.