GACR

Numerous fish fossil have been found in the Oligocene-Miocene deposits of the Carpathian Basins over the last decades. These findings have been taxonomically studied but especially juvenile and larval specimens gained only a minor attention. The goal of the present study is to fill the gap in this research by choosing the exceptional fish collection from the Hermanowa locality represented by several hundreds of specimens of different ontogenetic levels. Study of these specimens brings an opportunity of recognition of ontogenetic processes, one of key issues in these days. Information on ontogeny together with a detailed taxonomical study will serve as a basis for re-evaluation of the studied fish taxa from the systematic points of view. Furthermore, the complex description and analysis of the collection will provide palaeoecological data, which, in larger context of other localities in Carpathian Basins, can reveal new aspects of fish fauna changes during the Oligocene-Miocene time interval.

Moldavites are central European tektites genetically related to the Ries crater. However, source materials of moldavites and processes of their chemical fractionation are not properly constrained. Investigation of moldavites indicates that, in parallel to sedimentary rocks, plant biomass could have supplied significant portion of source matter as indicated by enrichments in contents of plant-essential elements, depletion in plant-non-essential elements and C and O isotope composition in moldavite glass. We aim at exploring this hypothesis by C and O isotope analysis in glass and fluid inclusions in moldavites, as well as Si, Ca, Mg and Li in moldavites and sedimentary units of the Ries area by means of isotope mass spectrometry. Selection of samples for detailed isotope analyses will be based on prior geochemical characterization. Further, Re–Os systematics, Cr and platinum group element contents will be studied in order to reveal any extraterrestrial signature in moldavites. These findings should constrain processes of tektite formation, with possible application in astrobiology.

During the last two decades, an increasing number of constructions affected by alkali-silica reaction (ASR) was found. In the Czech Republic, ASR was characterized deteriorating concrete pavements, airports, bridges, and dams. One of the arguments for the frequent occurrence of ASR damage is regarded to be in extensive use of quartz-rich aggregates in concrete and an insufficient knowledge of the parameters affecting their ASR. The project submitted proposes to measure the ASR of quartz-rich aggregates, employing chemical methods and an accelerated mortar bar test combined with acoustic emission analysis. Quartz crystallinity and deformation will be characterised quantitatively employing microscopic methods (SEM/EDS, CL, TEM, and FTIR). The approach mentioned above will enable the finding of those parameters responsible for the ASR of quartz. The project results will be published in scientific journals, and conferences. Their applications in the technical regulations concerning aggregate testing will contribute to the mitigation of ASR in new constructions in the Czech Republic.

Aim of this project is identification of the open system-processes in granitic rocks and reconstruction of p-T-x conditions before, during, and after the opening of particular magmatic system. We will study granitoids and rhyolites, which underwent different kinds of system opening: (i) mingling and mixing, (ii) subvolcanic intrusion connected with escape of volatiles and undercooling, (iii) volcanic eruption and recharge of magma chamber. The main methodological contribution of the project is a combination of modern imaging techniques (BSE and color CL), surface analytical methods ("mapping" using EMPA and LA-ICP-MS) and local microanalysis (EMPA, LA-ICP-MS). Beside this, methods of classical petrology and mineralogy (study of equilibrium vs. non-equilibrium rock textures), and methods of local geochronology (U/Pb by LA-ICP-MS) will be used. Models of magmatic evolution will be developed for each studied locality.

Existing global stratotype sections of the lower Silurian Aeronian and Homerian stages have been found inadequate with respect to modern high-resolution tools of stratigraphic correlation and even standard biostratigraphy. In response to current ISSS initiatives, Rhuddanian/Aeronian and Sheinwoodian/Homerian boundary sections exposed at Hlásná Třebaň and Kosov in the Prague Synform will be examined in detail as prospective candidates for new global stratotypes. Biostratigraphic description and correlation of the sections based upon graptolites will be supplemented by chitinozoan and limited conodont data. Horizons and biozones formerly selected to mark the base of the respective stages are well recognizable in these sections. Apart from biostratigraphic markers, geochemical and petro-physical proxies will be studied since trends in carbon isotopic composition and potential changes or cycles in organic productivity and rate of black-shale sedimentation can serve as likely proxies of global environmental changes of chronostratigraphic significance.

The project’s aim is to establish sequence-stratigraphic framework for the Devonian events in carbonates of the Barrandian area and Moravo-Silesian Zone, Bohemian Massif; with emphasis to sediments, facies, paleontological content and indicators of paleoclimate settings.

The Re-Os isotopic system represents unique tool for gechronology of ore mineralizations. The Bohemian massif is very
important metallogenic unit within the European Variscan province, because it hosts abundant mineralizations/deposits of
different types (e.g., hydrothermal Au, polymetalic Pb-Zn-(Ag), hydrothermal U and U-Ag-Bi-Co-Ni, volcanosedimentary Pb-
Zn-Cu and Ni-Cu-(PGE) mineralizations). However, the age of these mineralizations remains mostly unknown and therefore, the
aim of this project is to improve our knowledge about geochronology of selected ore mineralizations, timing/chemistry of
multiple ore generations and its effect on Re-Os geochronology and their genetic linkage to possible base/precious metal
sources associated with different geotectonic units of the Bohemian Massif.

Robust sets of mostly unevaluated and unpublished data and material on macroflora and palynomorphs will be re-examined to produce high-resolution biostratigraphic record of the Late Palaeozoic basins in the Bohemian Massif. This in the combination with high-precision radiometric data obtained from syndepositional tuff beds will serve to study floristic dynamics in a detail within an interval from the Serpukhovian to the Sakmarian (~43 My) as a response to the onset of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age and related climatic oscillations operating on several scales including high-frequency Milankovitch cyclicity to general trend of increasing aridity and potentially also to tectonic processes. In combination with high-precision radiometric ages of volcanoclastics these data will serve for detailed correlations with paralic basins of Eastern Europe where high-resolution biostratigraphy and radiometric dating exist. Radiometric data further improve parallelization of regional and global chronostratigraphic charts and their calibration with radiometric ages.

The Black Triangle received extreme sulfur deposition for several decades. By association, Hg deposition was undoubtedly also highly elevated, but research on the distribution, dynamics and fate of Hg in the Czech Republic has been rather scarce. This study will examine the fate of legacy Hg and whether it is still “leaking out” of impacted ecosystems even after emissions have been greatly reduced. We will assess the loading of Hg from upland forests to downstream water bodies, and assess the extent of methylation in the uplands. The combined spatial and temporal records will yield new insights into the behavior and controlling factors of Hg and its toxic forms, like methylmercury, at the fine timescales at which hydrologic and biogeochemical changes occur. This study will also advance our understanding of why organic carbon concentrations and quality vary over time with hydrologic conditions, findings that will be especially relevant to global change scientists.

The Medieval castle Veselí nad Moravou represents a unite European site with many well preserved wooden buildings, construction elements, and unprecedented volume of organic remains. Using the multidisciplinary approach will be clarified the environmental conditions within this locality and the anthropogenical influence on the alluvial plain formation.