Research

My research include geochemistry of upper mantle, mantle-derived rocks and oceanic sediments (black shale, chert, carbonate), but also a specific mineralogy from various geotectonic environments. This approach comprises major/trace element whole-rock and mineral geochemistry and highly siderophile element (Os, Ir, Ru, Pd, Pt, Au) geochemistry combined with radiogenic (Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-Os) and stable (Mo-Fe-Cu-Zn-Si-O-C-S) isotope geochemistry.

Current projects are focused on several topics which include:

[1] Black shale, chert and carbonate formations as geochemical markers of paleoenvironmental changes and tectonic setting along active continental margins (in co-operation with Jan Pašava - Czech Geological Survey, Jiří Žák - Charles University and Franck Poitrasson - CNRS Toulouse) - this project combines tectonic and structural analysis with geochronology, major/trace and Os–Nd–Cr–Mo–Si–S isotope geochemistry to unravel the influence of tectonic setting on the composition of black shales, cherts, stromatolitic cherts and carbonates formations and explore their potential as stratigraphic markers in accretionary systems at convergent plate margins with direct links to Ocean Plate Stratigraphy (OPS). Furthermore, the project contributes to better understanding of processes causing variable oxygen levels throughout the Earth`s history, with a particular emphasis on the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian boundary associated with the Great Explosion of life on the Earth.

[2] Origin and nature of continental red beds and their significance in terms of paleoenvironmental changes throughout the Earth`s history (in co-operation with Palacký University). In the framework of this project, the geochemical study is focused on the behaviour of Mo, Fe and U isotopes during the formation of continental red beds in response to different paleoenvironmental conditions. 

[3] Provenance and terrane characterization using isotope geochemistry (in co-operation with Faculty of Science, Charles University). In this project, several geochemical proxies (Hf-Nd isotopes, zircon trace element compositions) in conjuction with U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology are used for terrane characterization and sediment supply for the Avalonian–Cadomian terranes, now dispersed within the Caledonian, Variscan, and Alpine–Carpathian–Balkans orogenic belts. 

[4] Late Archean granites as markers of modern plate tectonics – the main effort of this project (in co-operation with Faculty of Science, Charles University) is placed on the field and geochemical study of TTG and sanukitoids from the Superior Province in Canada to reveal timing and nature of subduction-related magmatism and its significance to crustal growth events in late Archean Eon.

[5] Strontium and Nd isotopic systematics of foraminifera and other carbonate-based species to track down oceanic circulation and paleoenvironmental changes in the past (in co-operation with Faculty of Science, Charles University)

[6] Strontium, Nd, O, C, highly siderophile element and Re-Os isotopic systematics of global carbonatites (in co-operation with Czech Geological Survey and University of South Carolina)

Beside these fields, I`m also involved in several research project dealing with the formation of mantle-derived rocks from intra-plate (e.g., China, India, Iran, Turkey, Slovakia) as well as subduction-related settings (Aleutian arc, Japan) as well as development of numerous analytical methods which include sample preparation for trace and isotopic (Sr-Nd-Pb-Mo-Cd-Si) analyses using HR-ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS and TIMS mass spectrometry.