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15th International Ichnofabric Workshop in Prague

Radek Mikuláš convened the 15th International Ichnofabric Workshop to Prague (April 27 – May 5, 2019). Thirty-two specialists from over the world presented recent contributions from the mainstream branch of ichnology, e.g., ichnofabrics of terrestrial systems. A special discussion block was devoted to the use of computed tomography in the study of ichnofabric. Despite severe health complications of the convenor, the workshop was held at the scheduled time and followed the previously announced plan of excursions. In result, most of the sites known to a few people only through publications were now visited and evaluated directly by the top ichnologists.

Some aspects of mercury records in tree rings

Tree-rings as a geochemical archive were presented as a topic studied within the Department of Environmental Geology and Geochemistry of the Institute of Geology CAS. The article describes some aspects of mercury records that can be deciphered from Larch and Pine tree rings as well as some peculiarities of the associated fieldwork. In Czech only.

Molybdenum isotopic signal survives in ancient, strongly metamorphosed rocks, a new study revealed

Molybdenum isotopic composition (98Mo/95Mo) provides important clues to paleoenvironmental changes of the Earthʼs oceans and atmosphere throughout the geological history. Previous studies were predominantly focused on black shales which reflected the degree of atmosphere oxygenation. Nevertheless, the new study published in the Scientific Reports journal (link here), also contributed by the Institute of Geology CAS, revealed that even ancient rocks (~2.1 Ga Mn ores from Brazil), which underwent high degrees of metamorphism (> 600 °C) retain Mo isotopic signal. Thus, these data argue for the presence of oxic–anoxic-stratified Palaeoproterozoic oceans. This is the first contribution since the new Mo isotopic methodology has been established in the joint laboratory of the Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Czech Geological Survey.

Article on dust particles published in the ABC journal

Images of dust particles from a number of case studies performed at the Institute of Geology CAS were published in the popular ABC magazine as a part of the science-promotion project Strategie AV21, Natural Hazards. The article "InVisible Army – Dust everywhere you look" (in Czech) was aimed at the presentation of common dust particles around us to young readers from the viewpoint of electron microscopy.

Award for talented PhD student

Simona Krmíčková, a PhD student employed with the Department of Geological Processes, has been awarded the Brno PhD Talent scholarship. In her dissertation, Simona Krmíčková focuses on the Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf radiogenic isotope study of magmatic rocks from the broader surroundings of Brno. On 28th February 2019, she received a symbolic cheque for CZK 300,000 from the hands of Markéta Vaňková, the mayor of the statutory city of Brno.

Dust particles investigation in the Meteor programme of the Czech Radio broadcast

Tomáš Hrstka, who is involved in the development of innovative automated electron scanning microscopy at the Institute of Geology CAS was invited to the Czech Radio to talk about the study of dust particles in the famous "Meteor" popular science broadcast. This interview was conducted within the popular science project Strategie AV21, Natural Hazards. Meteor o teleportaci, kojícím pavoukovi, sexu a písních kosmických; time 31:41 (Tracing dust particles).

Cooperation with the European Space Agency

Dr. Tomáš Kohout, working for University of Helsinki and the Institute of Geology CAS is cooperating in the APEX nanosatellite project, which is a part of the Hera mission of the European Space Agency to be launched in 2023. Dr. Kohout is involved in the preparation of scientific observations and autonomous navigation. For additional info click here.

Winning the Competition of Young Spectroscopists 2018

Jan Rejšek of the Department of Geological Processes was awarded the first prize in the Competition of Young Spectroscopists 2018 organized by the Ioannes Marcus Marci Spectroscopic Society in the category of published scientific papers. The competition was held during the session of the main committee of the Ioannes Marcus Marci Spectroscopic Society in Pardubice on 28 November 2018. The award honoured Jan Rejšekʼs results in mass spectrometry published during his doctoral studies. For additional information click here.

Honorary professional medal

Prof. Ing. Zdeněk Vašíček, DrSc. of the Institute of Geonics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. was awarded the František Pošepný honorary professional medal for his achievements in the field of geosciences on December 12, 2018. This award was nominated by the Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i. Congratulations!

2018 Outstanding Student Poster Award for Šárka Křížová

Ing. Šárka Křížová of the Department of Analytical Methods was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Student Poster Award at the International European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC 2018) held in Berlin on September 16–21, 2018. The award honored her results in the study of Australasian tektites.

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