| Summary: |
The CGUP develops its action within a global unifying theme on Georesources and their contribution for a Sustainable Society. For this purpose, the researchers are organized in two research groups named: Geological Resources and Materials Research Group (GEOREMAT); and Environment and Society Research Group (ENVISED). The GEOREMAT focus its activities on two main research areas: (i) Geological resources and geology of their host crystalline rocks; and (ii) Geological materials characterization. The first one investigates the granite related mineralizations (W, Sn, Au, Cu, Pb), which are of great importance in the Variscides, with particular emphasis to the fluids (magmatic or/and metamorphic or/and meteoric) associated to them. The characterization of the host granitic and metamorphic rocks, using petrophysical, geophysical, and geochemical methodologies will be also done by the same research group to establish the relation between late-orogenic Variscan plutonism in the Ossa-Morena Zone and the plutonism from Central Iberian Zone. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between deformation metamorphism and mineralizations and to the characterization of magmatic or/and metamorphic fluids nature and their role in the thermal evolution of the Variscan orogen. Considering the strategic importance of Li we will go to pursuit the study of pegmatites with particular emphasis on rare-elements pegmatites exploration. Studies on Palaeozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology in Dúrico-Beirã district because they are determinant namely for the understanding of Au-Sb metallogeny. An elaboration of a catalogue of the main schist occurrences with potential for application as ornamental and industrial material will be implemented. The second area is devoted to geological materials characterization including: (a) organic materials (coal and organic rich-rocks) in order to know the origin, content, preservation and incarbonization/maturation of the OM and to predict th  |
Summary
The CGUP develops its action within a global unifying theme on Georesources and their contribution for a Sustainable Society. For this purpose, the researchers are organized in two research groups named: Geological Resources and Materials Research Group (GEOREMAT); and Environment and Society Research Group (ENVISED). The GEOREMAT focus its activities on two main research areas: (i) Geological resources and geology of their host crystalline rocks; and (ii) Geological materials characterization. The first one investigates the granite related mineralizations (W, Sn, Au, Cu, Pb), which are of great importance in the Variscides, with particular emphasis to the fluids (magmatic or/and metamorphic or/and meteoric) associated to them. The characterization of the host granitic and metamorphic rocks, using petrophysical, geophysical, and geochemical methodologies will be also done by the same research group to establish the relation between late-orogenic Variscan plutonism in the Ossa-Morena Zone and the plutonism from Central Iberian Zone. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between deformation metamorphism and mineralizations and to the characterization of magmatic or/and metamorphic fluids nature and their role in the thermal evolution of the Variscan orogen. Considering the strategic importance of Li we will go to pursuit the study of pegmatites with particular emphasis on rare-elements pegmatites exploration. Studies on Palaeozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology in Dúrico-Beirã district because they are determinant namely for the understanding of Au-Sb metallogeny. An elaboration of a catalogue of the main schist occurrences with potential for application as ornamental and industrial material will be implemented. The second area is devoted to geological materials characterization including: (a) organic materials (coal and organic rich-rocks) in order to know the origin, content, preservation and incarbonization/maturation of the OM and to predict the hydrocarbon generation; the microtextural characterization of graphitized anthracites and the knowledge of the main factors responsible for their graphitization; the textural properties of coals and by-products resulting from their utilization and in-situ burning coal rejects; (b) the characterization of aggregates for concrete from different places in the world to assess the potential reactivity to alkalis for a better knowledge of their mineral composition, texture and behaviour in a high pH environment; determination of intrinsic susceptibility of granite both to chemical alteration and to the development of stone deterioration types, (c) analyse of different materials for forensic purposes using advanced and non destructive techniques. The ENVISED focus its activities on the following main research areas: (a) environmental dynamics, comprising geomorphological, hydrological, geochemical, geophysical, pedological, and geoarchaeological studies in order to address environmental issues related with human activities, resources exploitation, soil contamination, coastal dynamics and water supply. Characterization of paleoenvironments with a direct application on climate change perception. The study of coastal evolution will also contribute for the understanding of the climate changes. The collection of new data concerning the coastline migration using DGPS surveys is very important in order to build a relevant databank of information from NW Portugal; (b) the characterization of pollutants occurring in air, water and soil and associated transport mechanisms will be approached. Airborne particles will be analysed using a combination of several analytical techniques. Concerning groundwater pollution and research on the factors that influence interflow in mountain hydrogeological systems are among the priorities of this research area. The study of soil contamination by heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and radionuclides dispersed in soils, sometimes accumulated by plants, is also one of the endeavours; (c) the development of geoconservation research is one of the CGUP distinctiveness regarding other research units in Portugal. We intend to maintain a strong international relation with the geoconservationist community. Under the scope of Geosciences Education it will be considered formal, non-formal and informal education. An effort is being made to work, with Master and PhD Students in History of Science, namely exploring the connections between Biology and Geology. The Environmental Educations is also a thematic in development in the area of Geoscience Education. |