SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Model structure
1.
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
2.
Quantitative characteristics (to be submitted via the online platform)
Summary table (according to structure to be set by ANCS)
Staff list by research teams (according to structure to be set by ANCS)
List of publications and patents (according to structure to be set by ANCS)
List of ongoing projects (according to structure to be set by ANCS)
List of major equipments and infrastructures (according to structure to be set
by ANCS)
Self-assessment report for the previous 4 years
2.1.
Administrative structure diagram of the institution
2.2.
General activity report of the institution
The Geological Institute of Romania (GIR) was established by Royal Decree in year
1906, continuing the activity of the Geological Bureau which was in since operation 1882. The
main goal of the institute has been ever since and continues to be the geological mapping of
the national territory, to which successively added assignments related to agrogeology,
geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, geological heritage conservation, a. s. o.
The results of the related investigations were published over time in journals edited
and published by the Geological Institute of Romania: Dări de Seama/Comptes Rendus, Anuarul
IGR, Memorii, etc. The publications and the drafted maps alike underwent a diversification
process ensuing the emergence of new methiods and techniques in Earth Sciences, such as
remote sensing, environment monitoring, geothermal investigations.
Throughout the more than 100 years of continuous activity, GIR acted as a gravity
center of the geological research in Romania by bringing about continuous and balanced
development of individual branches of geological sciences, accompanied by public
dissemination of the knowledge and information resulting therefrom.
Most of this activity was supported by the most extended coverage in analitical
facilities among the geological entities, including universities.
Today as any other time, GIR is able to tackle with any topic in the Earth Sciences,
due to its highly qualified staff and mastering information about the whole of the Romanian
territory. In order to fulfil it’s assignments as a national geological survey and to harmonize
its activity with the European trends set forth by EuroGeoSurveys (The Association of
national geological surveys of the Europeean Community) of which is a full member since
February 2006, GIR had to shape its activity by developing its expertizing capabilities, its
abilities to act as an advisor, as regards the geological domains, of the political and
administrative decidents, by informatization of the national geological database, digitization
of the geological maps and a more intensive approach of the issues related to environment
protection (ambiental geology and geophysics).
The main research and development topics assumed by GIR consist of basic and
applied research, technological progress, development of studies and prognoses of public
interest regarding:


resolving the geological structure and evolution of the national territory;
setting up, editing and printing of gelogical, hydrogeological, geophysical and
geochemical maps at various scales over the entire territory of the country;
 identification and outlining of areas hosting mineral resources;
 setting up geological, geophysical, geochemical and remote-sensing methods,
procedures and techniques in order to identify mineral resources, geothermal
areas, assessment of risk and pollution due to industrial activities, especially in
mining and oil-bearing areas.
These activities are augmented by:

international cooperation activities in the fields of geology, geophysics,
geochemistry and remote sensing;

exerting the responsibilities of a national geological survey by implementing the
organization, management and public valuation of the national depository of
geological data, preservation and valuation of drill-core samples, of mineral and
rock collections and environment monitoring monitoring in mining areas
(according to government decision # 1070/2000).
The R&D activities are focused along the following lines:
1. Setting up and updating national geothematic maps and undertaking related
complex studies in the field of Earth Sciences, consisting of:
- editing the national geothematic maps and custom maps for mineral resources;
- providing the planning support for geological prospection, exploration and
territorial management;
- assessing, monitoring and management of mineral resources
- risk assessment and establishment of regulations for mitigation of natural hazard
effects;
- setting up, updating and editing maps at different scales [n various sampling
environments, assessing and monitoring pollution degree;
- setting up geothematic atlases and packages in the field of paleontology petrology,
petrophysics, mineralogy, minerallized underground waters, ore geology;
- classification of geologic objects and establishment of regional and global
comparison and classification;
- investigation of the structure and evolution of the lithosphere on the territory of
Romania.
2. Establishment and developing of the national geological fund:
- maintenance, management and digitization of the national geological database.
- editing monograph studies on major structural unit and geological inetrest topics.
- digitization of the setting up processes for maps, models, monographs, atlases and
studies.
- integrated digital processing of the geonomic information, correlation with terrain
models, editing and setting up Q&A scenarios of the geonomic database.
- setting up a GIS structure and compatibilization of the databases including the
potential of national mineral commodities and the national geological data database.
- collection, inventory and systematisation of the collections in the National
Geological Museum and the National Drill-Core Depository.
R&D activities carried out in GIR during the 2007-2001 time-span display the
following general structure:
a. activities in the Nucleu Program, aimed to preserve and develop basic research
activities in the Earth Sciences field (mineralogy, petrology, paleontology,
stratigraphy, geophysics, geological mapping, etc.) traditionally carried out by IGR.
b. research in projects of the national R&D programmes (CEEX, CNCSIS, PNCDI 2 –
Capacities, Partnerships, Ideas modules);
c. surveys in the National Plan of Geological Investigations of the Ministry of
Economy and Commerce ;
d. contract-based research and surveys for private businesses and administration
departments;
e. international cooperation activities in the field of Earth Sciences by virtue of
bilateral agreements at institutional and government level, and international programmes
(FP 7, South-East Europe Transnational Cooperation and CIP ICT-PSP.
Among the main results of the research activity in the period 2007-2011 the following
results are noteworthy:
- The digital geological map of Romania, scale 1:50000 – 18 quadrangles;
-The geochemical map of Romania scale 1:1.000.000 –– sector V. Dâmboviţa-V. Argeş;
- Conversion guide and operational flow-chart for conversion of spatial dat from the
OCAD application in GIS databases
- GIS database for the geological map, scale 1:1.000.000;
- software application for metadata and data dictionnaries management;
- software application for internet display of geological maps; geological map of
Romania scales 1:1.000.000, 1:200000 şi 1:50000;
- geophysical database, GIS-intergrated regional and local geophysical maps web
page;
- modelling and hydrogeological parameters assessment of the unsaturated area
neighbouring CNE Cernavoda and DFDSMA Saligny
- algorithm and software applicartion for calculation of the 2D spectrum (in
wavenumbers) of a seismogram.
- soft ASPECTDS (Spectral Analysis of Seismic Data) – Preliminary processing of
seismic data and integral processing for phase velocities analysis of the Rayleigh seismic
waves.
- methodological guide for optimal utilization of arc and spark spectra in the 240nm350nm domain for Cu, Fe, Zn, Al in rock samples.
- rock-magnetic, paleogeomagnetic and magnetic models of the magnetic recording
environment represented by the coal measures sampled in quarries and drilliongs in the
Dacic Basin;
- processing technology of the high-quality quartz from Cuca – Bucegi, Voineşiţa and Ilova.
- processing flow for the batches containing heavy and abrasive minerals (magnetite,
ilmenite, garnet) from the alluvia of Romania and assessment of the possibility of their use;
- establishing the technological flow for secondary recovery of raw-materials from
tailings;
- assessment methodology of the spectral features for mining industry waste-dump
monitoring and model database;
- evaluation of gas-bearing structures from the Transylvanian Basin for possible
reservoirs for geological storage of CO2;
- isotopical composition of the main mineral water sources from the Balvanyos si
Malnas areas.
- scientific documentation and promotion of the high-interest geologic sites from
natural reserves;
- the geological bibliography of Romania– Pdf electronic editions;
In order to support research activity, constant attention was paid to the development
and extension of the research infrastructure with specific analytical equipment, resulting in
the following laboratory facilities:
- Radiometry laboratory: Low-background gamma spectrometer equiped with a
HPGe detector; Low-background gamma spectrometer equiped with a NaI (Tl) detector, Rn
measuring system PYLON AB – 5 ;
- Mineralogy lab equipped with: XRD Bruker D8 Advance; FTIR Spectrometer Bruker
Tensor 27 şi Simultaneous thermal analyzer STA 449 C Jupiter;
- GEOECOLAB equipped with: ICP-AAS ZEEnit – 700 Spectrometer and XRF
MiniPAL-4. Spectrometer.
Technology transfer in the field of geological research was accomplished by:
- dissemination of geothematic cartographic materials drafted at various scales and
designed to meet various needs (road infrastructures, geological exploration for minerals
and rocks, mineral and geothermal waters, civil engineering works, aso.)
- research contracts with public and private enterprises and authorities both in
Romania and abroad.
Research activity materialized in 20 publications in ISI publications with non-zero
impact factor, a a total of 292 publications in books and national and international
periodicals.
In the 2007-2011 time span, aside participating in international congresses,
conferences, meetings and symposia, GIR organized symposia and workshops with
international attendance, such as:
- The 3rd Anniversary Symposium GeObMag (Surlari National Geomagnetic
Observatory – 65 years of continous work)(2008)
- „Landslides – The impact on the environment and society” (2008, 2009, 2010);
- “Application of modern analytical methods to investigate the cultural heritage
degradation” (2011);
- The 12nd NECLIME Annual Meeting (2011);
- SARMa Consortium Project Meeting (2010);
- THERMOMAP Consortium Project Meeting (2010);
- SARMa National workshop (2010, 2011).
Paralelly, the National Geology Museum was a continuously felt presence in public
promotion of the geological sciences, oranizing thematic workshops for pupils and students,
conferences, temporary exhibitions, other activities connected to The Night of the Museums,
the Night of the Researcher, the Showroom of Research aso.
The personnel policy of GIR targeted towards employing, by competition, of young
researchers in the main fields of its activity, especially to properly and timely train personnel
able to ensure the continuartion of these research directions.
The emprovement of the quality of the human resources was a continuous concern of
GIR, expressed by a significant increase of the number of young reserchers.
Continuing higher-education forms such as master degrees or promotion are
constantly supported and stimulated by the institute, including by financial means.
Noticeable is the acceptance of some of our doctoral students in the framework of the
European Social Fund, Sectorial Operational Program Human Resources Development 20072013, Priority Axis no.1 "Education and professional training in support of economic growth
and the development of the knowledge based society" Major field of intervention 1.5 –
“Doctoral and postdoctoral programmes supporting researchi”
For areas of interest requiring recruiting highly qualified personnel, GIR supported
own funds training stages for the young personnel, such as:
- resistivity imaging methods (Electrical Imaging Seminar, AGE, Madrid, Spain);
- use of magnetic satellite data and global models at Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Physics of the Earth, Section Earth
Magnetic Field;
- correlation of satellite data used in global modelling of the magnetic field of the
Earth with observatory data at lUniversité Paris Diderot, Paris 7 - Institut de Physique du
Globe de Paris, Géophysique spatiale et planétaire, France ;
Constant connections with the universitary environment is ensured by part-time
teaching assignements or temporary research positions in research teams of the University in
Bucharest.
2.3.
Activity report by team
GeoHaz (E3) is a multidisciplinary team, taking into consideration the specificity
of the studies on the effects of land’s instability. In general, are specialists in
engineering geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, mineralogy, GIS, etc. This
explains the great number of researchers, with different ages and professional
degrees, from the list of personal projects. Staff fluctuations (changes) are
explained in that some researchers have been retired, were transferred, are in for
raising the child, leave obtained research fellowships etc.
From the point of view of expertise, persons which participate in this projects
have a high degree of training, with a PhD or doctoral degree; experience in the
field addressed by each project is proved by the number of scientific works, of the
coordinated projects.
A particular objective is the training of young researchers, the more active
involvement in their work, the aquisition and processing of primary information,
studies etc.
In addition, this team, or a part of it, get involved in private business contracts
offering technical assistance or expertise in the field of engineering geology,
hydrogeology, geophysics etc.
Professionalism of team members, as well as their desire to address new methods
of study of land’s instability phenomena (and not only), led to co-opting GIR in 2
European research projects, as well as in different consortium that have made and
will make other project proposals of this type.
The result of the above-mentioned it’s represented by: 11 projects and contracts
conducted in the past 4 years, scientific works (15, 1 ISI) sustained oral and poster,
two books (in collaboration), and two projects submitted (1 bilateral and 1 of
European funds) in course of evaluation.
The team GIS&database (E2) is working in Geoinformatics field and is focused
on the training, specialization and experience of the team leader in these the
following: GIS, databases, software and web development, geostatistics, etc.. The
specific projects have included various specific stages: database design,
implementation, spatial and / or attribute data input, software application
development.
The other team members have contributed in the following activities: collecting
specific information for database, creation (introduction) of spatial and attribute
data, classification of geological objects.
Only for the last four years, the team or its members participated in six national
and international projects, some leaded by other teams. The most important
achievements can be staggered as follows:
• Analysis, design and implementation of a GIS database for waste dumps
research using combined methods (mineralogical, physical, remote sensing);
• Analysis, design and implementation of a GIS database for geological maps at
scales 1:1.000.000, 1:200.000 and 1:50.000; it can define the following:
o
The GIS database project is a framework for the development of geological
maps using GIS technology, database model was made taking into account the
latest technologies and the experience of other organizations in the world;
o
for implementation the model has been verified by pilot phase for each scale
topographic maps;
o
have been studied "open source" and commercial technologies with practical
implementation to the level of cartography (Quantum GIS GvSIG, ArcGIS,
Mapserver, PostgreSQL / PostGIS, VTP, Grass, PHP / MapScript), finally
Quantum GIS, PostgreSQL / PostGIS, MapSever and ArcGIS were used;
o
two flows have been established for the introduction of spatial data in GIS
database: one for data in the OCAD and second format for new data created form
analogical support;
o
have been established the type and classification models used in the database
dictionaries; it have made dictionaries for some initial classification, as well a
general dictionary for all sheets of 1:200.000 scale geological map;
o
used databases: ArcGIS geodatabase with
Access and PostgreSQL with
PostGIS extension;
o
have been carried out studies and pilot phases for the display of spatial data
on the Internet: webGIS and WMS services using ArcGIS Server or Mapserver,
PHP MapScript API library;
o
one was made an application for metadata management using PHP and
MySQL as database;
o
have been created symbols, display formats (layouts), shaded relief and 3D
presentations.
o
the created a model is a framework that allows spatial data entry for
geological maps;
o
it is necessary to develop this activity by integrating into the GIS database of
all spatial data; it can be drown the next few lines of action:

establishing a unique appropriate topographic base;

development of dictionaries by specialized staff;

development of specific software applications;

develop use of internet technology for presentation: webGIS, WMS, WFS;

the use of all methods for standardization of data in accordance with
international classifications: IUGS, INSPIRE, etc.

development of methods for interoperability and harmonization of data using
GeoSciML;

geometric and semantic harmonisation of geological map sheets.
• Develop software applications to manage attribute data;
• Develop applications and web services for geological mapping, display and
query of spatial data on the Internet (using "open source" - MapserverPostgreSQL-PHP and commercial - ArcGIS Server technologies);
• Creation of GIS database for mineral resources with goal to create the
framework
for
spatial
and
attribute
information
management,
and
implementation of mineral resources map of Romania at 1:500.000 scale;
• Development of various thematic maps or collections of data required in
various projects;
• Publication of articles in professional journals and writing reports on topic of
projects.
It is necessary to develop the area by using GIS technology for geological
information, mineral resources, hazard, geological monitoring of targets of
interest, etc. For this is necessary hardware and software equipment and the
increasing the number of professionals specialized in various fields. Is known that
over 80% of GIS activity is required for data acquisition, so is necessary to
establish and develop a group of specialized operators for the spatial data
introducing.
Due to increased use of GIS technology in the Geological Institute of Romania
includes virtually all technical departments, it is necessary to create a specialized
department to carry out GIS operations to create, manage, save and analyze
spatial data. Using server technologies in the database, the storing of all
information involve specialized spatial data servers that allow concurrent access,
create, manage and secure information in a superior way.
Several conclusions can be drawn to represent milestones in the development of
this field:
• GIS technology and databases are used in most areas; virtually all of the
research projects from geology field use this type of technology;
• it is necessary to develop new specialists in various fields, as well as group for
the management and data creation;
• it is necessary to apply this technology to new areas with direct implications in
the current activities of the society;
• Virtually all information should be included in this database, with many
advantages in their operation;
• for the development of GIS systems participate various types of specialists from
various fields, requiring
classification,
updating and harmonization
of
information;
• In the field of geological maps is necessary to update information, use of unique
and actual topographic data and effective classification of entities, harmonization
of constituent sheets of map;
• It is necessary to use spatial analysis with many advantages for solving various
problems or objectives of the research subjects; the response is in the form of
tables of information and new thematic maps.
The research team MetPetr (E1) has at the time of submission two senior members (dr.
Gavril Săbău, CS I, dr. Elena Negulescu, CS III), a doctoral student (Ramona Nimirciag)
and technical personnel (Costel Tănase responsible for thin sections preparation and Petre
Macovei for field sampling and logistics). Main specialties of the members are mineralogy,
petrology and petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks, geothermobarometry, computation of
phase diagrams, and thermodynamic modelling and geochronology. Their expertise is used
to manage national and international scientific projects focusing on:
- revealing the internal structure of basement units in the South Carpathians, based on
structural mapping and evaluation of mineral assemblages, metamorphic equilibrium
conditions and their mutual compatibilities (proj. F2, CF1, 3 listed below);
- building a comprehensive picture of the geodynamic history of complex and
multistage Paleozoic terrane-collage involving basement units from the Carpathian-Balkan
region (proj. CF2, F3);
- complex researches regarding the intra-continental intermediate-depth earthquakes
genesis (proj. F1).
The major geotectonic processes which took place inside the terrestrial crusts were
investigated using methods based on atomic scale physics phenomena evaluated through
geochemical laboratory techniques. The interdisciplinary nature of the projects is confirmed
through use of chemistry fundamentals, math, computer sciences, etc. necessary to
understand the intermolecular processes (e.g. intra- and intercrystalline diffusion) and to
apply the requested numerical modelling.
The team members are continually seeking for good opportunities for high-standard
training and research through international cooperation relationships (e.g. Institut für
Mineralogie und Kristallchemie, Stuttgart, Geological Institute of Bulgaria, University of
Arizona) and thus contributing to a substantially increased level of knowledge of the
structure and genesis of the Romanian South Carpathians while also increasing the
international visibility of the Romanian research. Data dissemination was attained through
participation in international conferences (e.g. convener of the “High-Pressure
Metamorphism in South-eastern Europe”, Session V25/V13A - conveners G. Săbău, Romania
and H.-J. Massonne, Germany, Section V Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology, AGU
Fall Meeting 2007, San Francisco CA) as well via a number of publications in ISI indexed
journals, with high impact factor (e.g. Journal of Petrology).
One of the goals of the research team is improving the research infrastructure. A
BXT51 Olympus microscopic system with both transmitted and reflected light, equipped
with a digital Olympus CZ-5050 camera and Olympus DP-soft package that allow the on-line
storage of pictures of relevant microscopic field and organised in databases was acquired
during an institutional partnership between Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallchemie,
Stuttgart and GIR financed by AvH Foundation (proj. no.1).
Another important focus is the continuous development of advancement of evolution
of the human resources. In 2007 E. Negulescu, one of the team members, completed her PhD
with a Magna cum Laude distinction (program financially supported by the AvH
foundation). Early stage researchers, like doctoral student Ramona Nimirciag, are involved
in project no. 8, playing an active role in carrying out research activities, ensuring that the
project stays on track, generally working and training on new methodologies in a highly
specialized scientific environment which will ultimately enhance the student's professional
development.
Significant (the most important) scientific achievements 2007-2011:
- MetPetr team created 5 geological reports (IGR Archive) and published 19 scientific papers
in national and international journals, accumulating 30 citations (according to Web of
Science). The CNCSIS (Romania) Prize, sem. I/2009 was awarded for one paper published in
Journal of Petrology (Relative AIS 2.435).
- team members participated in national and international research contracts and grants as
well as academic co-operations; managed a sub-set of projects within the geological
programme of the Romanian Ministry of Industry and of the Romanian Ministry of
Education and Research (PN, CEEX, PN-II-ID-PCE) and international projects:
1. 2004-2008 Institutional partnership between Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallchemie,
Stuttgart and Geological Institute of Romania financed by AvH Foundation: “P-T-t evolution
of the pre-Alpine basement units of the South Carpathians”, project manager dr. G. Săbău,
doctoral student E. Negulescu.
2. 2006-2008 CEEX INDEGEN “Complex researches regarding the intracontinental
intermediate-depth earthquakes genesis from the Vrancea zone”, pr. manager dr.G. Săbău.
3. 2006-2008 CUNGEOL PN 0632 0101 “National Geothematic Maps” - pr. manager dr. G.
Săbău.
4. 2009-2011 CUNGEOL PN 21N/2009 “Geological Bibliography of Romania” - project
manager dr. G. Săbău.
5. 2008-2011 Inter-academic exchange: “Major tectonometamorphic events in the basement
units of the South Carpathian – Balkan orogens”, project manager dr. G. Săbău.
6. 2011 Geological programme of the Romanian Ministry of Economy M.E.C.M.E.A.
“Geological synthesis report regarding the non-metallic mineral resources (graphite, talc,
asbestos, Al-silicates, garnet) from the South Carpathians, pr. manager dr. E. Negulescu.
7. 2011-2014 PN-II-ID-PCE-2011 “The architecture of Romanian metamorphic basement
units: a chronological insight from monazite electron microprobe chemical age
determinations”, project manager Gavril Săbău, doctoral student Nimirciag Ramona.
8. 2012-2014 Inter-academic exchange: “Cadomian and Hercynian events in the South
Carpathian and Balkan orogens”, project manager dr. G. Săbău.
Relevant scientific results emerging from the previously mentioned projects:
- original data processing methods of microprobe analyses were developed in collaboration
regarding derivation of mineral formulae, error assessment, chemical age determinations
and Schreinemakers analysis of chemical systems;
- additional information regarding mineral phases known as CCZN-armalcolites, concluding
that the material such described in the literature actually represent terms of the crichtonite
group or structurally-related novel close-packed oxide phases; first identification of
loveringite in Romania in material of this type (Săbău & Alberico, 2007);
- contributions regarding the relationship between growth stages and chemical composition
of eclogitic garnet, including unusual zoning patterns, evidence for resorption-driven reorientation during agglutination of crystal clusters, and regular trends in elemental ratios
that can be used to highlight successive growth sections in composite garnet porphyroblasts
(e.g. Negulescu et al. 2007; Negulescu, 2009);
- derivation of a precise explicit approximation of the age equation in the U-Th-Pb system,
allowing direct calculation of the age from element concentrations and precise tracking of the
stepwise propagation of the errors, in order to estimate the errors of individual analyses
from the standard errors associated to elemental concentrations (Săbău, 2009a);
- mineral compositions and mineral assemblages that are either unique in Romania or
belong to a restricted number of natural occurrences in the world were also identified and
described in several units of the Leaota Massif (Negulescu et al., 2009; Negulescu & Săbău,
2009; Negulescu, 2009; Negulescu & Săbău, 2010).
List of the relevant scientific papers emerging from the previously mentioned projects:
Săbău G., Alberico A. (2007) What is CCZN-armalcolite? A crystal-chemical discussion and an ad-hoc
incursion in the crichtonite-minerals group. St. Univ Babeş-Bolyai 52(2), 55-66.
Săbău G., Massonne H.-J. (2007) Setting and Paleozoic age of the HP-complexes in the South
Carpathians, Eos Trans. AGU, 88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V13A-1140.
Negulescu E., Săbău G., Massonne H.-J. (2007) The Origin and Significance of Eclogite and
Metagabbronorite Knockers from the Bughea Complex, South Carpathians, Eos Trans. AGU,
88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V13A-1141.
Beşutiu L., Atanasiu L., Mitrofan H., Zlagnean L., Radulian M., Popa M., Rogozea M., Săbău G.,
Negulescu E., Baltreş A., Rus T., Danciu V., Moldoveanu C., Neuner J. (2008) New insights on
the structure and dynamics of the intermediate-depth seismic zone located in the bending area of
east Carpathians: INDEGEN project. 33 IGC, Oslo.
Negulescu E., Săbău G., Massonne H.-J. (2009) Chloritoid-Bearing Mineral Assemblages in HighPressure Metapelites from the Bughea Complex, Leaota Massif (South Carpathians). Journal of
Petrology 50, No. 1, 103-125. Impact factor: 3.738.
Săbău G., Negulescu E. (2009) Seismic consequences of mineral phase transitions, In: Beşuţiu L. (ed.)
INDEGEN - Integrated research on the intermediate depth earthquake genesis within Vrancea Zone, Ed.
Vergiliu, 184-198.
Negulescu E. (2009) Semnificaţia mineralelor şi a asociaţiilor minerale în determinarea istoriei
metamorfice a cristalinului masivului Leaota (The significance of minerals and mineral
assemblages in deriving the metamorphic history of the Leaota Massif crystalline basement). EBook, http://negulescu.greencats.ro/, ISBN 978-973-0-07196-2, 466p.
Săbău G. (2009) Ti-Nb-REE assemblages in the monazite veins at Jolotca, Ditrău alkaline massif. In:
Anastasiu N., Duliu O. (eds.) Mineralogy and Geodiversity - Tributes to the career of Professor Emil
Constantinescu, Editura Academiei Române - Editura Universităţii din Bucureşti, 143-153
Săbău G. (2009a) CHIME U-Th-Pb - geochronology: an explicit age formulation as a function of
element concentrations Romanian Journal of Mineralogy 84, 68-71.
Negulescu E., Săbău, G. (2009) Mineral diversity in the Leaota Massif: trivial to unique compositions
in metamorphic assemblages. Romanian Journal of Mineralogy 84, 75-77.
Negulescu E. (2010) Silicaţii din roci metamorfice. Date cristalochimice şi structurale. (The silicates of
metamorphic rocks. Crystal-chemical and structural data). E-Book, http://negulescu.greencats.ro/
ISBN 978-973-0-08871-7, 105 p.
Săbău G., Negulescu E. (2010) Ocurenţa monazitului în unităţile de fundament ale Carpaţilor
Meridionali – context şi date chimice. Romanian Geological Society, Annual Conference Bucharest, 5-6
Nov. 2010.
Negulescu E., Săbău G. (2010) Inferring the history of metamorphic rocks using garnet data. A case
study from the Leaota Massif. Romanian Geological Society, Annual Conference Bucharest, 5-6 Nov.
2010.
Negulescu, E., Săbău, G. (2011) A low variance mineral assemblage in the Bughiţa Albeştilor eclogites
(Leaota Massif, South Carpathians). The 3-rd International Symposium on the Geology of the Black Sea
Region – 3-rd ISGB, Bucureşti, 1 - 10 oct.. 2011, Geo-Echo-Marina no. 17, p. 115-120.
Zagorchev, I., Balica, C., Balintoni, I., Kozhoukharova, E., Dimitrescu, R., Săbău, G., Negulescu, E.
(2011) New Isotopic Data on the Metamorphic Rocks in SW Bulgaria. The 3-rd International
Symposium on the Geology of the Black Sea Region – 3-rd ISGB, Bucureşti, 1 - 10 oct.. 2011, Geo-EchoMarina no. 17, p. 222-225.
Zagorchev I., Balica C., Balintoni I., Kozhoukharova E., Săbău G., Dimitrescu R., Negulescu E., New
isotopic data on the Cadomian age of the Frolosh metamorphic complex and the Struma diorite
complex. Geosciences 2011 (in press).
This incomplete team we named “Palaeontology Research Team” include a small number of
specialists covering palaeobotany (with fossil wood study, plant mega-remains and imprints,
and palinology), micropalaeontology and macropalaeontology (mollusks, vertebrates). In the
last five years the members of this team - Iamandei Stanila, Iamandei Eugenia, Paraschiv
Valentin, Grigore Dan, Sebe Oana Gabriela si Antoniade Claudia - developed 4 important
research projects, some of them recently finished.
1.
Modelling of palaeoclimate evolution within Carpathian area based on the
Coenophytic Floras in Romania.
2.
The geo- and biodiversity of Bicaz Gorges – Hasmas National Park
Integrated study of geological, geographical, biological enrichment of the natural heritage of
the park and expanding its boundaries
3.
Petrified Forests from Romania described by paleoxylological studies, their
paleoclimatic significance and their designation as protected areas
4.
Major climatic fluctuations in the Romanian Miocene: palaeobotanic proves.
Their previous activity passed by other projects and themes of research, PhD preparation in
this field of interest. A new member appeared Rodica Tita, now postdoc. After a PhD Thesis
on mollusks. They participated in scientific events (symposia, conferences), presenting the
results of their researches and have published them within national or international scientific
journals ISI or BDI indexed.
Regarding the dynamic of the subjects it can be stressed that it was not a simple
identification of a fossil taxon, but identification of fossil populations with palaeoclimatic or
palaeoenvironmental significance and interpretations of global geological events was done
with much interest in the climatic and environmental evolutions in the present days
In this respect the evolution of the research is visible in the last papers of the team, and
within the much comprehensive research projects developed in the last years
(http://www.igr.ro/).
The team members were included in some interdisciplinary projects regarding protected
areas, and in an intense educational activity including public conferences, or a
complementary geological education to the school people.
So, our team include some experienced researchers (3), some young researchers, postdoc (2)
and some young aspirants to PhD (2) dealing with micropalaeontology. In time we try to
sustain the scientific activity of the young people, to prepare the tomorrow researchers. Our
interest is to stabilize the young researchers in our institution.
If the possibilities to go in field trips for scientific prospection will grow, the young
researchers will specialize and the missing of project competition in the last years influenced
negatively the evolution of our young colleagues.
The Q-Sint (Quartz Synthesis) team was founded in mid 2009. At that time, the Geological
Institute of Romania gains a project whose aim was to elaborate a synthesis on the quartz
deposits of Romania, in view of obtaining ultra high purity quartz products. So, this team
appears as a necessity to solve this challenge.
The main researches of the team are:
Dr. Daniel Ion – senior researcher, teamleader,
Eng. Constantin Rusu – senior researcher,
Eng. Nelu Floria – senior researcher.
For the complex works that had to be done, many researches, engineers and technical stuff of
the Institute were also involved, and still are, in this project. The team was composed of
various members from one month to another according to the specific of the work and, at the
same time, depending on the possibility of each member to participate, at a time, in this
project.
As it was already pointed out, the aim of this project was to inventory and to investigate all
the quartz deposits of Romania that could be able to become potential sources to extract ultra
high purity quartz. Until the end of the ’80s, only the quartz accumulations used in the glass
and fine ceramics industries were better known. Later, the most important results obtained
are referring to the new possibilities of re-evaluation of the synmetamorphic quartz which
proved to be the raw material for the production of synthetic quartz crystals. This kind of
crystals are very useful for the optic and electronic industries. The pure synthetic quartz
crystals obtained in the laboratory attest the economic importance of the studied
accumulations.
In the whole area of the Romanian Carpathian Orogen (East Carpathians, South Carpathians,
as well as Apuseni Mountains), with a complex evolution and structure, several types of
genetic quartz can be identified.
The quartz deposits from Romania belong to three genetic types:
- Synmetmorphic quartz;
- Quartz from Pegmatites;
- Quartziferous sands and quartzitic conglomerates.
During these three years were analyzed the synmetamorphic quartz deposits (Cuca-Bucegi,
Voineşiţa, Ilova, Uricani, Vârciorova, Mănăstireni) and only a part of the pegmatitic quartz
deposits (Lotru-Cataracte, Muntele Rece). This analyze consists of geological, chemical and
mineralogical investigations as well as technological tests in view to establish the best
processing flowsheet. The results were more than those awaited and at the same time were
very encouraging to continue this activity. Therefore, in the forthcoming years the Q-Sint
team is ready to approach the synthetic researches for quartz of the other pegmatitic deposits
and mostly the quartz of the sedimentary domain, that is to say the quartziferous sands and
the quartzitic conglomerates.
At the same time is to be mentioned that the experience gained in this work makes possible
the engagement of the team in other similar researches for metaliferous and nonmetaliferous resources.
The activity in a big team like RS (Remote Sensing) -GEOMATICS (over 12 persons) started
in 2010 (CF3- Eurogeosource) and the main output was contributing, together with other
partners in the project, to the development of a mineral resource data model and energy
resource data model to be used in the project.
The first step was identifying the different type of users of mineral and energy resource data
and analyzing their needs. Another analysis was focused on data providers (i.e. over ten
geological institutes in Europe, mining offices, exploration and exploitation license granting
agencies etc.) regarding the data format and content, format types and intellectual property
rights. Based on the user requirements and data availability in the participating geological
surveys it was decided to make up one separate model for mineral resources and one model
for energy resources (oil, gas, coal) trying to follow as close as possible the INSPIRE Data
Specifications issued by the Technical Working Groups. An exercise was made to map the
EuroGeoSource model to the INSPIRE model and on this occasion it was found out that not
all codes defined in the INSPIRE Data Specifications for the above-mentioned themes were
suitable for the real mineral and energy resource data.
Therefore, comments were made to the Technical Work Groups to add or change codes
and/or classification scheme (e.g. alteration types, mineral deposit types etc.). This type of
activity is of great importance due to the fact that the countries are obliged by the INSPIRE
Directive to implement commonly established standards for data exchange.
Another important activity was focused on transposing the existent mineral and energy
resource data from paper maps into a digital GIS format, creating viewable and
downloadable web-GIS services and populating a relational Postgre SQL database, which
will be harvested for ensuring the required performance of services on the cloud-operating
portal.
Our institute is the leader of the Work Package “Awareness, Dissemination and
Exploitation” which is responsible with the content updates of the project web page, as well
as with the sustainability of the project after its end of life. We take part to every activity and
work package in the project, being in the phase of carrying out our web-GIS services for
mineral resources.
These services will be a development of the services that had been created for a prototype of
geophysical data (http://geoportal.igr.ro/geofizica-v1) and the same technology will also be
used within the framework of the ThermoMap project (CF4), where the objective is to
estimate very shallow geothermic potential of land for installing ground source heat
exchangers. This implies making up a database of soil, climate, surface geology (quaternary
deposits) and hydrogeological parameters for the test zone selected in the Constanta county
and calculating for three depth levels the heat conductivity and heat capacity. These
computed values will be viewable on a GIS portal where various types of users (companies
installing heat pumps, universities, local authorities and the general public) will be informed
by this Internet tool about the potential of their area of interest for installing ground source
heat pumps as an alternative renewable energy source.
Team "GEORESOURCES". The list of the research team members is:
No.
Surname and first name
Didactic/
Doctorate
scientific title
1
Cioacă Mihaela-Elena
Researcher
yes
2
Munteanu Marian
SR III
yes
3
Marincea Ştefan
SR I
yes
4
Mărunţiu Marcel
SR I
yes
5
Călin Nicolae
Res. Assistant
no
The team members have undertaken studies on mineral resources (metallic and nonmetallic). Since 2009, the team collaborated closely with the GIS specialists, in a process
constituting the construction of a digital database of the geological conditions of the mineral
resources in Romania. The team members worked in several projects, as shown below.
(1) In the year 2010, the team conducted one project with the title "Synthesis of the geological
research for the bauxites in Romania", funded by the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and
Business. The team made a synthesis of the information on the bauxite resources of Romania,
with a focus on the resources from the Apuseni Mountains (geological conditions, grade,
mineralogical composition).
(2) SARMa project, under the South-East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme.
The project aims to develop a common approach to sustainable aggregates management
across the South-East Europe, and ensure a sustainable aggregates supply in the South-East
Europe based on fair distribution of costs and benefits of aggregate production, use, waste
disposal and recycling, so as to enhance resource and energy efficiency and quality of life.
The project ended in 2011.
(3) EuroGeoSource is a project co-funded by the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework
Programme (CIP), under the Policy Support Programme (PSP), Geographic Information
Theme. It aims to make a data portal, which allows access by Internet to the aggregated
geographical information on oil and gas fields, including prospects and mineral deposits, in
order to stimulate investment in new prospects for geo-energy resources, as well as in
renewing production at mines undergoing economic decline or closure, contributing this
way to the independence of the EU having to import valuable minerals from outside
resources. Ten countries from EU participate to the EuroGeoSource project, which The
Geological Institute of Romania is the coordinator of the Workpackage 11 “Awareness,
Dissemination and Exploitation”. The team members contributed to the organization of the
mineral resources database to be used by the portal (identification of the users of the portal,
attribute definition, etc) and to the dissemination of the information on the project.
(4) ProMine project started on May 2009 and is carried on by a consortium led by Geological
Survey of Finland and composed of 27 partners from 11 EU member states. Considering the
fact that, for some strategic metals, EU is totally dependent on import, the efficiency of the
overall production chain of minerals and metals in Europe should be enhanced by putting
higher quality and added value products on the market. ProMine aims to: (a) develop a panEuropean GIS-based database containing the known and predicted metalliferous and nonmetalliferous resources, which together define the strategic reserves (including secondary
resources) of the EU; (b) calculate the volumes of potentially strategic metals (e.g. cobalt,
niobium, vanadium, antimony, platinum group elements and REE) and minerals that are
currently not extracted in Europe; (c) to develop new, high value, mineral-based (nano)
products; (d) to enlarge the number of profitable potential targets in Europe; (e) to establish a
new, cross-platform information group between the European Technology Platform on
Sustainable Mineral Resources (ETP-SMR) and other platforms. The team members were
involved in the completion and update of the information regarding the primary and
secondary ore deposits in Romania.
A recent focus of the team is the investigation of the distribution of platinum group
elements (PGE) in the magmatic rocks from Romania. This is meant to fill a gap of
knowledge, as there is no published information on PGE in Romania. PGE have multiple
uses (in medical industry, in electronics, in nanotechnology, in jewellery and for optical
instruments), but the main reason for the keen economic interest in PGE is their extensive
use in the automobile industry, by the replacement of lead catalysts (pollutant) with
platinum catalysts (not pollutant). Additionally, the distribution of PGE in igneous rocks
provides information with regard to the genesis, evolution and metallogenesis of their
parental magmas. Therefore, the economic interest in this line of investigation is
accompanied by a scientific benefit, with positive implications for the future research for
other mineral resources. The team is currently working in two ongoing projects involving
PGE investigation:
(5) "Evaluation of the PGE potential of the mafic-ultramafic intrusions in Romania using the
experience from the investigation of Panxi area, South-West China". The project is
undertaken within the program of bilateral cooperation between China and Romania. It
began in April 2011 and will be ended in November 2012. Several mafic-ultramafic
intrusions from Romania were sampled and are being analyzed for their PGE contents, in
order to identify indications of possible economic accumulations.
(6) “Investigation of the rare elements in the porphyry copper deposits from Romania”. The
project is funded by the National Council for Scientific Research. It began in October 2011
and will end in September 2013. The project aims at the investigation of the contents of hightech elements (REE, PGE, Re, Ti, V, Ga, Ge, Li, In, Te etc.) in several intrusions that contain
porphyry copper mineralization (Moldova Nouă, Roşia Poieni, Bucium Tarniţa, Bolcana).
This involve mineralogical and petrographic studies, geochemical investigations of the target
deposits, study of the spatial distribution of the PGE in the targeted deposits (identification
of the possible correlations between PGE and certain mineralogical assemblages and
alteration zones), assessment of the transport and precipitation conditions for PGE based on
fluid inclusions study, construction of metallogenetic models for each targeted deposit and
extrapolation of the results to the scale of the metallogenetic provinces, when possible.
Given the implication of the team members in different projects that imply time-consuming
activities, and the increasing interest for the mineral resources in the EU, the addition of new
team members is necessary. This will be done by recruiting geology graduates during the
next four years and training them in the field of mineral resources.
The team members presented their scientific contributions by the participation with oral
presentations and posters at professional meetings (national and international) and by the
publication of their results in scientific articles, mentioned in the publication lists.
The main objectives of the GeoMag team are to continuously measure the geomagnetic field
and to determine the geomagnetic activity, in order to study the dynamics of the Earth´s
magnetic field and its interactions with the Earth system.
Since 1943, the geomagnetic observatory is located 40 km NE of Bucharest, ensuring the
continuous of the measurements. The observatory data contributes to the developing global
geomagnetic field models (International Geomagnetic Reference Field-IGRF, World
Magnetic Model-WMM) in the frame of two international cooperation programs:
INTERMAGNET
(www.intermagnet.org)
and
MagNetE (http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/
portal/ gfz/Struktur/Departments/Department+2/ sec23/ infrastructure /repeat_ stations/
MagNetE).
The first one, INTERMAGNET is worldwide near-real-time geomagnetic observatory data.
INTERMAGNET has, in little more than 10 years, grown into a worldwide federation of
institutions running magnetic observatories, and become the de facto professional body
representing magnetic observatory operators. The INTERMAGNET objective is to establish a
global network of co-operating digital magnetic observatories adopting modern standard
specifications for measuring and recording equipment in order to facilitate data exchange
and the production of geomagnetic data products in close to real time. The initiative to
establish INTERMAGNET was supported by the International Association of Geomagnetism
and Aeronomy (IAGA) and close contact is maintained with the IAGA bodies with interests
in magnetic observatory practice, data, data derivatives, and applications.
The second is meanwhile known as MagNetE (Magnetic Network of Europe), and supported
by a resolution of IAGA (International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy).
Geomagnetic repeat station surveys have a long tradition in many European countries and
they have been carried out independently in the individual countries, either in Romania by
GeoMag team. It has been difficult for a long time to use the data efficiently for studies of
geomagnetic secular variation of the whole continent. A more homogeneous spatial and
temporal distribution of high quality repeat station data was desirable. Therefore, starting
with 2003, at the European level, started an exchange of experiences and coordinate the
individual European efforts. The result was an initiative to carry out common geomagnetic
repeat station surveys in the European countries every two years. As a result of the common
efforts, the first map of declination for Europe was presented in May 2011 in Rome.
The scientific investigation of the Earth's magnetic field is the oldest branch of geophysics,
and possibly even one of the oldest branches of scientific fields ever. In this Age of Discovery
the magnetic field is measured intensively, not only for scientific reasons but for navigation.
Today the measurements of the GeoMag team mostly serve to answer basic questions about
dynamic processes occurring deep within the Earth, and in near-Earth space, useful for
Romanian Aviation Safety.
We provide airport geomagnetic (declination) surveys. The
personnel are especially suited to perform compass rose surveys to establish the difference
between magnetic and true North. In this application, the geomagnetic field is used as a
navigational tool.
Geomagnetic variations studies, its spatio-temporal structure, processes and effects on
system Earth are another scientific objectives. Earth’s magnetic field has been in existence
since the early history of our planet, and it is known to be caused by dynamo action in the
liquid outer core. Due to the instability of this process, reversals of the predominant dipolar
component, as well as relatively short periods of very weak total fields occur at irregular
intervals. Currently the geomagnetic field strength decreases quite rapidly. The dipolar part
has dropped by 10 % within the past 300 years. In the northern atlantic region the present
rate of decrease is 100 nT/year, that is, 25 % per century. Such rapidly declining field strength
may be interpreted as an indication for a forthcoming field reversal, or for a relatively large
recent field. Since the magnetic field jointly with the atmosphere shields Earth’s surface
against incident high-energy cosmic rays, it is crucial to investigate the spatial structure and
the temporal evolution of field reversals, as well as details of geomagnetic variations, their
causes and effects on Earth’s atmosphere. This continuous programme aims at a more
complete understanding of the spatio-temporal structure of geomagnetic variations in
general, and of field reversal periods in particular. Furthermore, associated geodynamical
processes are investigated in cooperation with other European research institutes by means
of numerical modelling and observations in order to identify the key mechanisms that cause
geomagnetic variations, and potential effects on the system Earth will be studied.
Recent results of GeoMag team provide evidence for the existence of variations in induction
vectors associated with geodynamic processes. Earthquakes (EQs) and volcanic eruption
precursors have an aperiodic temporal regime and appear once or several times prior to their
occurrence. The regular periodic variations of induction vector are also observed, and they
are a new interesting geophysical phenomenon. These periodic variations must be
considered as a background while looking for precursory signals associated with EQs and
volcanic activities. Annual and diurnal variations obtained from the processing of
synchronous data of many observatories in Southeastern Europe are analized for identifying
precursory information.
Research carried out by GeoMag team at the observatory during its seventy years of
continuous work has largely contributed to the Romanian geosciences field through
remarkable studies in:

secular variation and normal magnetic field in Romania: bringing the magnetic map
making works to the same epoch at a unitary level, at a regional, national or
continental scale and comparisons of national reference levels with other European
observatories;

local peculiarities of transient geomagnetic phenomena: geomagnetic data from other
observatories are correlated with our geomagnetic recordings with the aim of
distinguishing between planetary and regional or local phenomena, as well as the
improving of geophysical models of deep structures, or to establish prediction
routines and tectonogenetic analyses of seismic movement in Vrancea area or the
earthquakes of intramoesic fault;

international geomagnetic reference field (IGRF), which provides updated models;

issues regarding convection currents in outer Earth core, the theory of dynamo and
mantle and global tectonics;

establishing the distribution of subsoil electric conductivity and the localization of
large conductivity anomalies, correlated with deep geological structure;

recordings of geomagnetic field in almost 200 stations distributed all over Romania,
processed especially for phenomenological studies of geomagnetic field induction in
the subsoil by means of magnetotelluric soundings along European corridors;

providing data for unitary magnetic map of Europe;

tectonomagnetic studies, applicable in establishing earthquake prediction factors and
dynamics of ionosphere electric currents and outer magnetic field;

establishing the magnetic declination, essential especially around large airports, for
air traffic;

improvement and development of the instruments used in registering and measuring
geomagnetic field elements, with multiple use, from geophysical prospecting to
archaeology and medicine, as well as the calibration of these instruments under nonmagnetic conditions;
Nowadays GeoMag team contributes also at some of the ways in which geomagnetism
becomes useful in today’s world:

establishing global indices describing magnetic activity and finding other new
parameters for an objective evaluation of the “magnetic status”, important in the
study of inductive effect in electric power transmission systems, of induction in long
pipelines, as well as in communication system, satellite damage and tracking;

quantification of geomagnetic storms which can create overburdens in national
energetic system, in high frequency radio communications network, disruption of
GPS or strong disturbances in the geomagnetic field with significant and yet
incompletely known effect;
At the same time many studies reveal specific connections such as the well-known
covariation of sunspot solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances or the possibility that the
thermospheric heating by electric currents associated with magnetic storms may cause global
modification of the atmospheric pressure and year-to-year changes in growing-season
length, rainfall, thunderstorms and in the end, climatic variation in solar-weather
relationship. These connections to global weather and with living organisms are future
interesting directions for geomagnetic activity predictions at Surlari National Geomagnetic
Observatory.
Team acronim: GeoCart
Members:
Ion Gheuca, geologist, SRII
Viorel Ilinca, geomorphologist, RA
Ana Vizinteanu, cartographer
Georgeta Dumitrescu, cartographer
Gabriel Baralia, cartographer
Projects description:
In the period 2007-2011 the research team worked in various projects, both scientific and
economic which were related to the field geologic mapping. The most important projects are
attended by team in term of geologic mapping were for:
- Updating, harmonization and computerization of geological and geophysical maps of
Romania (PN 03/2006-2008);
- Fundamental research on framing seismic risk classes of dams located in the Moesian
Platform. Probabilistic and deterministic approach – CEEX MENER 713/2006;
- The new geologic map of the Cheile Bicazului-Hăşmaş National Park in the research project
“The geo- and biodiversity of Bicaz Gorges – Hăşmaş National Park. Integrated studz of
geological, geographical, biological enrichment of the natural heritage of the park and
expanding its boundaries” (GEOBIOHAZ) – 2009-2011;
- Synthetic geologic maps for many National and Natural Parks from Romania (Măcin
Mountains National Park, Iron Gate Natural Park, Balta Brăilei Natural Park, Comana
Natural Park and for Buzău Geoparc project) – 2009-2011;
- Updating and digitizing the geological map of Romania (1:50.000 and 1:500.000 scales) PN 09210101;
- The future A1 Highway route (the sector between Piteşti and Sibiu) for Egis Group
Romania (2008);
- Detailed geologic map for the Lower Ciuc Depression for S.C. Tuşnad Ape Minerale (2009).
- Synthetic maps for evaporite rocks (salt, gypsum, and tuff) from the external Carpathians
area for Hunt Oil Company of Romania (2011).
Management of geologic maps
The team has also responsabilities regarding the management of geological and
hidrogeological maps edited by Geological Institute of Romania and also completion of the
geological map sheets which have not been published by now. Achievement of some
geological maps is otherwise done by geologists from other departmenst or research team.
The geological maps are made with the help of some cartographic and GIS software like
Ocad and ArcGIS.
2.4.
Representative project
Since its foundation, back in 1906, the Geological Institute of Romania had the mission of
making the geological map of Romania, at various scales, for a better use of the land and
natural resources. On this purpose, the Geological Institute of Romania built teams with
mapping experience and varied specializations: sedimentary, metamorphism, magmatism,
paleontology, geochronology, etc. A mapping commission was created during the 1970 s to
ensure the homogeneity and correlation of the symbols and interpretations of the geological
information from different sheets.
Based on the mentioned mission and organization, the Geological Institute of Romania
edited the geological map of Romania at the scales 1:500,000 (1910-1958) , 1:200,000 (1965-
1968) and 1:1,000,000 (1978), the last one being part of an atlas comprising several thematic
maps (gravity, geomagnetic, hydrogeological, resources map, soil map etc).
In 1970, the Geological Institute of Romania began the National program of editing the
Geological Map of Romania at the scale 1:50,000. Till 1990, 130 sheets of the geological map
1:50,000 were printed, most of them in the Carpathians, where the geology is most complex.
After 1990, the mapping program was funded scarcely. Only 5 new sheets were printed and
other ca. 100 sheets were edited partially (Fig. 1).
Under these circumstances, the completion of the geological map at the scale 1:50,000 is
currently progressing based on the information from other research projects implemented by
the Geological Institute of Romania. Concurrently, the Geological Institute of Romania began
the vectorization of the geological maps and the creation of GIS databases for the geological
maps at scales 1:1.000.000, 1:200.000 and 1:50.000. Model maps for each scale and different
software packages were tested in a pilot phase. As a result, Quantum GIS,
PostgreSQL/PostGIS, MapSever and ArcGIS were chosen for the conversion of the geological
spatial data. Dictionaries for geological terminology and classification are being elaborated.
The databases are created using ArcGIS with Access and PostgreSQL with PostGIS
extension. For the display of spatial data on the Internet the GIS team employed webGIS and
WMS services using ArcGIS Server or Mapserver, PHP MapScript API library. An
application for metadata management was created using PHP and MySQL.
Fig. 1. Spatial distribution of the published and not published sheets of the Geological Map of
Romania, scale 1:50,000.
The accepted GIS model is a framework that allows spatial data entry for geological maps.
The current concern is to integrate all spatial data into the GIS database. This would imply
several lines of action:

establishing a unique topographic base for the geological maps at all scales;

creation of dictionaries by specialized staff;

development of specific software applications;

use of the internet technology for presentation: webGIS, WMS, WFS;

the use of all methods for standardization of data in accordance with international
classifications: IUGS, INSPIRE, etc.

development of methods for interoperability and harmonization of data using
GeoSciML;

geometric and semantic harmonisation of geological map sheets.

Development od software applications to manage attribute data;

Development of applications and web services for geological mapping, display and
query of spatial data on the Internet (using "open source" - Mapserver-PostgreSQL-PHP and
commercial - ArcGIS Server technologies);

Creation of GIS database for mineral resources with the goal to create the framework
for spatial and attribute information management, and implementation of mineral resources
map of Romania at 1:500.000 scale;

Development of various thematic maps or collections of data required in various
projects;
It is a current concern to integrate GIS technology in all fields of research approached by the
Geological Institute of Romania, such as mineral and energy resources, geological hazard,
geological monitoring, etc. On this purpose, the Geological Institute of Romania has a
program of acquisition of hardware equipment and specialized software and to involve more
specialists from various fields of earth sciences and IT. As over 80% of GIS activity is spent
for data acquisition, the Geological Institute of Romania planned to establish and develop a
group of specialized operators for the input of spatial data.
The activities employed for the development of the GIS system will be undertaken in
conjunction with the participation of the Geological Institute of Romania to the
implementation of the INSPIRE Directive in Romania. The Geological Institute of Romania
has a leading position for the Theme II-4 Geology and is colaborating with the National
Agency for Mineral Resources for the Themes III-20 Energy Resources and III-21 Mineral
Resources. The harmonisation of the geological spatial data between Romania and the other
countries of the European Union has actually begun by the participation of the Geological
Institute of Romania in several international project such as OneGeology, EuroGeoSource
and Promine.
3.
3.1.
Institutional development plan for the next 4 years (maximum 15 pages)
Scientific SWOT analysis.
3.1.1.

Strengths
The status of a national geological survey, stipulated by national legislation, which
allows the access to research programs financed by European funds.

Existing geological database, which sums up the results of more than a century of
geologic activity.

The Geological Institute of Romania administrates the National Drillcore Repository,
of crucial importance for the geological studies and for exploration of mineral
resources and hydrocarbon deposits.

Existence of staff with experience and competence for the management and
implementation of complex research projects;

Notoriety of the Institute, recognized and appreciated as a professional authority
both in Romania and abroad;

The Geological Institute of Romania is member of the European Association of
Geological Surveys (Eurogeosurveys).

The Institute has a logistic system suited for complex geological activity;

Services adequate for documentation, technology transfer and dissemination of
results;

The Geological Institute of Romania administrates and services installations of
international recognition, such as the National Geological Museum and National
Geomagnetic Observatory;

The Geological Institute of Romania has the exclusive right to edit and publish the
geological and geo-thematic maps.
3.1.2.

Weaknesses
Historical financial debts to the state, which preclude the participation of the
Geological Institute of Romania in some project competitions.

Lack of enough funds to attract and keep the best young specialists; migration of
highly skilled staff to the private organizations or to better funded public institutions.

High average age of the research personnel.

Insufficient technical equipment.

Lack of official acts to regulate the relations between the Geological Institute of
Romania and the National Agency for Mineral Resources. This institutional fracture
leads to incomplete information and services acquired by investors and duplication
of some activities undertaken by the two institutions.
3.1.3.

Opportunities
The need of data harmonisation across the EU creates opportunities of collaboration
with the geological surveys from other Eu countries.

The Geological Institute of Romania can participate to international projects funded
by the EU, diversifying the research topics and extending the capacities of managing
new projects.

Increase of the social interest for geological information in areas like the management
of water resources and waste, environmental protection, identification and
assessment of natural hazards, etc., creates the opportunity if the Institute to extend
the volume of work in numerous research fields.

The Institute can participate in projects focused on the geological hazard and risk
assessment concerning landslides, subsidence, land collapse, volcanism, drought,
floods, avalanches.

Qualification and training of the personnel using the EU programs.

Obtaining certification by the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the study of
environmental impact, which would allow the Institute to braden the range of private
customers.

Working with Waste Management Directorate of the Ministry of Environment for the
projects concerning brownfields and their reinstatement in the economic circuit.

Cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and participation in tenders for
contracts on stability studies of sea cliffs.

Participation to the Governmental research strategy - Horizon 2020 Danube, Black
Sea Strategy and the creation of international consortia of time to succeed to attract
European funds.
3.1.4.
Threats

Historical debts to the state budget prevents accessing structural funds.

The National Drill Core Repository, legally owned by the Agency for Mineral
resources, is hosted in an old building located on land currently owned by private
enterprises who threat to evacuate the drill-cores, lack of any financing whatsoever
for management and maintenance of the Repository.
3.2.
3.2.1.
Strategic scientific objectives and directions.
Updating and completion of the National Geological Maps. Harmonisation of the
spatial geological data with the similar data in the EU countries, in agreement with
the regulations of the INSPIRE Directive of the European Community, Theme II-4.
All spatial data with geological significance will to be converted in GIS databases
and ETRS1989 coordinate system.
3.2.2.
Development of the research on the mineral and energy resources. Enhancement
of the analytical facilities and of the equipment of geophysical investigation.
3.2.3.
Development of the capabilities of research in environmental geology (slope
stability, landslides, hydrogeology); extended collaboration with the Ministry of the
Environment, Ministry of Regional Development and local authorities.
3.2.4.
Increased involvement in interdisciplinary research projects, such as the
collaboration with archeological institutions (detection of buried constructions and
objects, studies of material provenance for archeological artifacts made of stone,
ceramic and metal).
3.2.5.
Some priority research areas:
• Geodata systems and multi-dimensional modeling
• High-tech metal and critical raw materials perspectives;
• Geologic deep-seated repository of dangerous wastes and CO2 geological storage;
• Innovative exploration technologies
• Recycling, new and alternative materials;
• Environmental impact management and measurement.
3.2.6.
Updating the database of representative geological sites and take the necessary
steps to declare new geological protected area and geoparks.
3.3.
The human resource strategy.
As the geological institute of Romania has an aged personnel, an active recruitment
policy is envisaged. This is closely related to the access to funding from research projects.
The hired young specialists need to be trained by the older staff in order to gain work
experience and professional confidence.
On the other hand, the Institute also aims at the institutional strengthening through
training programmes and participation of the scientists in national and international
Seminars and Workshops. The aim is to deal with and coordinate the activities pertaining to
international matters and collaborative programmes.
Several research fields are no longer covered with specialized people (hydrocarbon
geology, technical geology, aso). The Institute will hire young geologists who will be sent to
specialization courses in Romania and abroad.
An International division will deal with international and EU research programmes
and also will serve as the Secretariat of the Institute for the geological programmes in which
the institution is participating.
A Technical Consultancy Service will be concerned with all the commercial activities
correlated with geological and geophysical projects.
IGR will rise the performances related to engineering geology and will maintain close
liaison between the Institute and Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Environment and the
Ministry of Education, Research and Youth, and National Authority of Scientific Research.
A Training Institute headquarter will be established at Surlari National Geomagnetic
Observatory as a Center of Continuous Improvement in Life and Earth Sciences. There, the
Institute will conduct different types of training for up to 60 persons at a time, keeping pace
with the latest development and trends in Earth sciences and with its own priorities. The
training courses will be designed in a sequential manner to develop specialized skills for
functioning as competent geoscientists and for shouldering professional responsibilities with
confidence. The specialized training programmes will continue on a regular basis to
improve the knowledge and expertise of the personnel.
3.4.
Mechanisms for stimulating the appearance of new research directions.
Recruitment and training of the best students on the purpose of hiring them after
graduation. This can be achieved by inviting the students to work in the projects contracted
by the GIR, to go in field trips together with the specialists from the GIR, to use the future
center of excellence and conferences at the Geomagnetic Observatory Surlari, to participate
to the professional meetings organized by GIR etc.
3.5.
Financial SWOT analysis.
3.5.1.
Strengths

Participation in international projects which attract EU funding.

Quick ratio at 12.31.2010 = 1.55 ensures coverage of current debts by current assets

Indebtedness (borrowed capital/own capital) equals 0.

Turnover speed for client debits equals 20.
3.5.2.

Weaknesses
existence of historical debts
Due to the historical debts, non participation to attract Structural Funds and
cohesion funds which can be made in 2 ways:
-
Project proposals for different Programmes
-
Contracting by tender participation organized by Ministries that are eligible to
manage cohesion funds, like funds allocated for environment and transportation

lack of adequate resources for stabilizing young personnel by wages meeting their
needs
3.5.3.

Opportunities
Growing public interest for geological information underlining environment issues,
resource management, assessment of natural hazards, facilitating participation in
national and international projects tackling with these topics.
3.5.4.
Threats

Historically perpetuated debts towards the state budget.

increased and inequal competition in getting funds with research and administrative
units with constant financing from the state budget
3.6.
Infrastructure: investment plan and strategy.
The National Geological Museum needs to be re-organized according to the new modalities
of presentation; the building of the National Geological Museum, built in 1906, need to be
consolidated and repaired. The collections exposed in the Museum need to be reorganized
and equipped with modern facilities in order to enhance their educational impact.
New equipment and software needs to be acquired in order to increase the capacity of the
Institute to diversify its activities and to improve the quality of its services, thus of its
commercial competitiveness.
An program of development of the Geomagnetic observatory as a Center of Continuous
Improvement in Life and Earth Sciences will be carried out. The feasibility study have been
alredy done.
Construction of a new building for the National Drillcore Repository and the relocation of
the drillcores. The actual building is degraded and located in an area owned by private
persons.
Funds need to be allocated for the electronic access to the scientific literature. Concurrently,
the printed versions of the most important journals need to be purchased, in order to
maintain the importance of the National Geological Library.
The analytical equipment will be completed with additional accessories and standards to
increase the research capabilities of the Institute.
IGR will be proactive in recognizing the strategic role of IT in the present scientific research
environment and will implement a robust information infrastructure based on an open, state
of the art technology platform. This will help the Institute in automating its business
processes and create the premises for the management of the vast volume of geoscientific
data gathered over the last 118 years by way of a centralized digital archive and treat these as
corporate resource with well-defined access protocol. This solution will facilitate knowledge
creation, paperless administration, information management, dissemination of information,
revenue generation, and enhance the visibility of the organization and furthermore provide a
cost-effective means of sustenance and growth.
Acquisition of a magnetometer, portable seismic station with 24 – 48 channels, GPR.
3.7.
Technology transfer and the attraction of non-public funds.
The Geological Institute of Romania will participate to public-private partnerships for great
investment projects: highways, mineral resources exploitation etc.
The Institute will focus on the establishment of key research areas such as geoscience
surveys, mineral deposits research, basin analysis and petroleum geology, environmental
geology, climate change science, as well as transfer mechanisms and key technology
development. The core will be research partnerships which will facilitate sharing of expertise
and resources for project delivery in response to the future customers needs for geoscience
information and knowledge.
Creation of theme-based geoscientific database in several domains such as: geochemical
exploration, ore geology, geophysics, remote sensing, thermometry, natural hazard,
environmental geology and rock sample analysis is continuing. The geomagnetic activity
database is being continuously updated.
IGR has taken the initiative
to call on the expertise of both scientific researchers in
geomagnetism (modelers, surveyors, geophysicists) and aeronautical experts (pilots, aircraft
operators, and airport managers) to improve aeronautical and airport safety. This technology
transfer
will unite the two professional groups around a navigation instrument: the
magnetic compass and non-public funds will be attracted. In this way, we shall prove how
the knowledge of geomagnetism and in particular magnetic declination, can be used to
improve aeronautical safety.
3.8.
Strategic partnerships and visibility: events, communications, collaborations.
The Geological institute of Romania will implement a strategy for development and
dissemination of geo-scientific information. The projects launched to achieve this goal will
include Project IGR.Net, Project IGR.Portal and digital archival of Maps and Unpublished
Reports. The objective is to have a repository of all reports in the archive of the Institute in a
format overriding the inherent heterogeneity lying within data sets of different projects or
methods. Once globally accessible this metadata should be used for scientific and
commercial purposes.
The Institute is also a member of the EuroGeoSurveys and will continue to participate to the
activities organized in the frame of this professional organization.
The Institute will conclude strategic partnerships with the following institutions:
- Ministry of Environment and Forests, on the following issues: certification for the
development of impact studies, geological reports in case of investments that could have a
significant impact on soil and groundwater, brownfields rehabilitation, protected areas,
forest monitoring based on satellite images, etc.
- Romanian National Administration of Waters, on the following issues: risk management for
floods, groundwater resources management.
- The National Agency for Mineral Resources – databases exchanges, studies for
authorization of works according to Mining Law, revision and proposals to improve the
Mining Law, reporting based on Inspire Directive, etc.
- Ministry of Home Affairs for studies of territorial management, landslides, etc.
- Ministry of Economy for studies of mineral resources and geothermal resources.
- Universities, for exchange of specialists, common projects, conferences, student training,
graduate and postgraduate recruitment, etc.
The Institute will apply for projects in the EU’s Raw Material Initiative.
The specialists of the Institute will participate at least at the most important international
congresses in geosciences, and will publish their results as scientific articles in ISI-ranked
publications.