News archive
News older than one year.
Research Reports in a new outfit
The annual report of the Institute of Geology was published lately – in a completely new, modern graphic layout. Research Reports bring a review of the most important information and research outputs of the Institute connected with the year 2020. To access this volume, click here.
Larch – an archive of mercury concentrations
A paper by scientists of the Department of Environmental Geology and Geochemistry was published in the prestigious journal Environmental Pollution. The study of tree rings in European Larch determined the evolution of mercury (Hg) emissions from a local source. Larch is a living recorder of Hg concentrations in the air. In this case, the emission source was the oldest chemical plant in the German town of Marktredwitz, which was producing Hg-based fungicides. Its environs were contaminated during the centennial operation of the plant. Mercury then started to spread to the Czech Republic through streams, inducing contamination of sediments in the Skalka Reservoir in the Cheb area. The record in larch rings suggests that the highest Hg emissions occurred in the first decades of the 20th century, when the plant was the World's key producer. The present Hg concentrations in the air are very low due to the extensive remediation of the whole plant area.
In memory of Magda Konzalová
On 14th March 2022, our colleague Magda Konzalová suddenly passed away at the age of 87. She was an expert in palynology of Tertiary sediments but worked also in the Proterozoic and Cretaceous. Although she started her career in the geological prospection of the Geoindustria company, she spent most of her professional life at the Department of Paleobiology and Paleoecology of the Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. She trained several followers. Her passing away is a great loss not only for her students but also for her colleagues in the Czech Republic and abroad. Nevertheless, her work is staying to the benefit of future generations. Her memory be honoured.
Institute of Geology stands in full support of the people of Ukraine
Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences denonces Russian agression and Russia's violent intervention in Ukraine, thereby joining the Czech Academy of Sciences in the support of Ukraine in this difficult situation.
The new book about igneous rocks
The oldest geological society in the world – The Geological Society of London – has recently published a book "Lamprophyres, Lamproites and Related Rocks: Tracers to Supercontinent Cycles and Metallogenesis". The book deals with igneous rocks which originated at great depths in the Earth's mantle and provide unique potential for the study of geological processes involved in the formation and break-up of geological supercontinents such as Colombia, Rodinia and Gondwana–Pangea. The main editor of the book is Assoc. Prof. Lukáš Krmíček, Ph.D.
2022 – The Year of Mineralogy
The International Mineralogical Association declared 2022 the Year of Mineralogy. The purpose of this global initiative (briefly named Mineralogy 2022) is to highlight the importance of mineralogy in our everyday lives. Mineralogy 2022 will consist of various activities of regional, national and international levels, which should emphasize the importance of mineralogy as an interesting modern but fundamental science that may interest wide public. The Institute of Geology will join this initiative via several activities, including an exhibition within the Science Fair, lectures for wide audience or articles in popular magazines.
Tichavekia: a giant among the earliest land plants
A paper describing the terrestrial plant Tichavekia grandis was published in the Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology journal. It is co-authored by two members of the Institute of Geology, Monika Uhlířová and Jiří Bek. The plant lived in the Barrandian area (Czech Republic) some 420 million years ago. It was named after František Tichávek of the West Bohemian Museum in Plzeň, who had found the described specimen.
Award for a popular geology book
Miroslav Ivanov Award in the category “Regional history” was granted to our colleague Václav Cílek and co-editors Z. Sůvová and J. Turek for the book “The Land of Joachim Barrande – A Journey to the Prehistory of Bohemia”, published in 2020, by the Club of Factual Literature Authors and the town of Jaroměř–Josefov. Other geologists of the Institute of Geology – Radek Mikuláš, Jindřich Hladil and Petr Štorch – contributed to the book as co-authors. Congratulations!
Conference on planetary geology
Tomáš Kohout of the Institute of Geology CAS, who has been also long working for University of Helsinki, delivered a speech at the conference Cosmic Projects taking place within the Czech Space Week in Villa Lanna, Prague, on November 12, 2021. His contribution was related to mapping of the asteroid Didymos. The conference programme and individual presentations are published here; specifically, the talk of T. Kohout can be viewed by clicking here (starting from 42 min. of the recording).
Institute of Geology staff scoring in Photogenic Science competition
The Institute staff submitted a total of 24 photos for the present competition rund, of which 11 passed to the semifinals. This may be the reason why was the Institute granted the Special Award for the most attractive photographic performance. Moreover, several photographs were ranked high in two categories: 1st and 3rd position in the category of Muse in Science; 1st and 3rd position in the category Scientists and Household Chores. The awarded employees were Lenka and Pavel Lisý and Michal Filippi. The photos and information about the competition are available on the Photogenic Science website.
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