O Centro de Geociências da Universidade de Coimbra

Objectivos científicos

1. Group 1 - BASIN ANALYSIS, SYSTEMS AND SEDIMENTARY RESOURCES

1.1- Leader
- Rui Paulo Bento Pena dos Reis, Prof. Associado com Agregação da F.C.T.U.C..

1.2. Research Team:
- António Fernando Ferreira Pinto, Prof. Catedrático da F.C.T.U.C.
- Pedro Manuel Rodrigues Roque Proença e Cunha, Prof. Auxiliar do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Luís Vítor da Fonseca Pinto Duarte, Prof. Auxiliar do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Jorge Manuel Leitão Dinis, Prof. Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Maria Helena Paiva Henriques, Prof. Auxiliar do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Pedro Miguel Callapez Tonicher, Prof. Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Julio Fonseca Marques, Assessor Principal, F.C.T.U.C.
- Pedro Alexandre Dinis, Assistente da F.C.T.U.C..

1.3. Collaborators:
-Ana Cristina Azeredo, Professora Auxiliar no Departamento de Geologia da Universidade de Lisboa;
-Nicola Perilli, Professor da Universidade de Pisa;
-Manfred Krautter, Professor do Institut fur Geologie und Palaontologie der Universitat Stuttgart;
-João Pedro Carranca de Almeida Mendes, MSc student supervised by P. Proença Cunha;
-Sandra Domingues Gomes, MSc student supervised by P. Proença Cunha and J. R. Brilha.
-Angel Corrochano Sanchez – Titular Professor, University of Salamanca
-Peter F. Friend - Dep. of Earth Sciences, Univ. Cambridge (U.K.);
-Carlos Sanz de Galdeano - Inst. Andaluz de Ciencias de laTerra, C.S.I.C.,Univ. Granada;
-German Flor - Dep. Geologia, Univ. Oviedo;
-Augusto Pérez Alberti - Univ. de Santiago de Compostela;
-Juan Morales - Dep. Geologia, Univ. de Huelva.
-Luis Oosterbeck - Coordinator professor. Inst. Politécnico de Tomar
-Antonio Garcia - Professor. Universidade de Unisinos, Brasil
-Paula Oliveira - Seismic interpretation. T-SURF CORP. Houston, USA
-Research students:Helena Anacleto and Sandra Dolores (F.C.T.U.C.)

1.4. Scientific objectives
Basin Analysis, Systems and Sedimentary Resources Group has as its major objective, to understand the history of the Lusitanian Basin and the geometry and provenance of the sedimentary infill. It is intended to promote an integrated approach of the most important variables, together with the most significant external controls, that may be identified through the study of the sedimentary record, reflecting the influence of:
relative and global (eustatic) sea level variations
-subsidence
-sediments input
-palaeodip
-climate
Such knowledge will be essential to the prospection, exploration and exploitation of sedimentary resources, namely ornamental rocks, clay (special and construction), inert (sand and fragmented), hydrocarbons, coal, chemical rocks (cement, lime, gypsum, rock-salt).
Our objectives include, the analysis and interpretation of the way the modern depositional systems operate as well, in particular those located near-shore (estuaries, beaches, etc.) along the Portuguese coast.

1.5. Proposed activities
A– Increase the knowledge on how the Lusitanian Basin evolved during the Mesozoic, focusing in particular the stages prior to the onset of the Atlantic passive margin in Cretaceous.
A.1 – Continuation of the project “Sequential and palaeoenvironmental analysis of the Lower-Middle Jurassic”: the aim of this project is a multidisciplinary study based on facies analysis, cyclicity, calcareous nannofossils, biocronostratigraphic control based on the record of Ammonoidea fossil associations and stable isotopes (oxygen and carbon) in order to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Lusitanian Basin during this interval. In this project we have the cooperation of several institutions like as the University of Lisbon (Portugal), University of Pisa (Italy), University of Stuttgart (Germany) and Petrobras (Brasil). This project includes, also, geologic mapping with the cooperation of Instituto Geológico e Mineiro (Portugal).
A.2 - Beginning of the project “Stratigraphy and sedimentological evolution of the mesozoic carbonate sediments of Maio island (Cape Verde)”. This phase includes the study of the stratigraphic sections and the definition of the main stratigraphic events (sedimentological, geochemical and palaeontological).
A.3 – Stratigraphic approach on the hydrocarbon potential through the participation of external groups such as the Geology Department of Salamanca University, the Nucleus for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Research of Geological Survey of Portugal and the Basin Analysis Group of the University of Unisinos of Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). Two bilateral Ph.D projects are now going on.
A.4 – Global and basinal scales geological setting of the Cretaceous depositional sequences (Berriasian to Cenomanian) in the Lusitanian Basin.
a) Colaboration of the Laboratoire de Dynamique des Bassins Sédimentaires University Paul-Sabatier, Tolouse, France, in the study of the onshore central sector of the basin, in order to correlate northern and southern deposits.
b) Colaboration with the Instituto Geológico e Mineiro (Geologic Survey of Portugal) on mapping Cretaceous sediments of Lusitanian Basin.
c) Colaboration in the project "Evolution of carbonate coasts during times of major environmental change in the Cretaceous: In search of feedbacks between the marine carbon system, paleoceanography and climate", coordinated in the ETH- Polithecnic School of the Zurich University, Swiss.
B – Upper Cretaceous and Cenozoic
a) Stratigraphy, Geomorphology, Sedimentology, Basin analysis and Sedimentary resources. Focus will be put on provenance studies in order to understand the denudation and uplift history of central inverted sector of the basin.
b) Geologic mapping in a partnership with the Instituto Geológico e Mineiro
C – Sedimentary Dynamics, Environmental monitoring and Impacts assessment
C.1 – Central Portugal Coastal Zone
a) Environmental monitoring and impacts assesment of the Mondego Estuary sedimentary system and adjacent coast.
b) Geologic aspects of the estuarine area of the Mondego river as dynamic elements of the Geology teaching.
c) Studies on the late Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes, including tsunami deposits, in co-operation with the Brunel University(West London), UK.
C.2 – Collaboration with the Faculté des Sciences et Techniques of the University Cadi Ayyad, Morocco, in the project “Monitoring protocol of sedimentary dynamics in degraded coasts by human activity and consequences to sustainable development: the Essauoira case”.
D - Public communication of the results when socially relevants. This project integrates partially the members of group 7 (Research and Communication on Paleontology and Stratigraphy).
E – Colaboration with Ivo Alves of the Physical Geodynamics Group in a program intended to develope "A new method to perform automatic shape recognition and classification on depositional geometries and sedimentary rock bodies at different scales”. This will be a non-supervised learning method based on the Kohonen self-organising map neural network paradigm.

2. Group 2 - PHYSICAL GEODINAMICS

2.1. Leader
- Carlos António Regêncio Macedo, Prof. Associado da F.C.T.U.C..

2.2. Research Team:
- Doutor Eduardo Ivo dos Paços Ribeiro Alves – Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC;
- Doutor Nuno Maria Siqueira Alte da Veiga – Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC;
- Doutor Maducar Narana Potró – Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC;
- Doutor Fernando Carlos Coelho Lopes – Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC.

2.3. Collaborators:
- Lic. Joaquim Tomás Ferreira – Assessor Principal
M.Sc. Students: A.M.A. Rodrigues, A.M.B. Pereira, E.S. Vasconcelos, M.L.A. Azevedo, M.T.B.G. Tente, M.J.C. Silva, O.Q.P. Miller and P.R.G. Parreira.

2.4. Scientific Objectives:
To integrate classical geology tools with geophysical and data analysis methods in order to characterise granite and schist massifs of the Centro-Iberian Zone.

2.5. Proposed Activities:
The group will continue previous work on the geology, petrography, geochemistry and structural
relationships of igneous bodies with encasing rocks, as well as the metamorphic and chronostratigraphic framework. This work will be focused mainly on the Centro-Iberian Zone which still lacks a complete geological mapping at the 1:50000 scale. Although based on classic geology methods, this group will endeavour to apply new tools for geological mapping in areas with few or no outcrops where traditional techniques face severe limitations. It is intended to apply quick geophysical methods, such as VLF/VLF-R to lythological mapping and main structural discontinuities location. These surveys will be carried out making use of the existing EM-16 equipment. Where possible resistivity fieldwork will make use of the existing 3.2W resistivity meter. The analysis of existing seismic reflection profiles will also contribute to characterise the lythostructural relationships in the studied domains. Another tool that will be tested is automatic shape
recognition and mapping, from remote sensing data, based on the Kohonen self-organising map,
corrected for ground-truth by the field studies. The same fractured granite and schist massifs will be studied from the hydrologic point of view using the geophysical methods mentioned above. It is intended to achieve the characterization of preferential water circulation paths and its structural controls. Key to all activities is the K-Ar geochronology laboratory, which will not only contribute to enlighten chronostratigraphic relationships in the studied areas but also begin working on the chronology of non-terrestrial samples, in cooperation with the University of Manchester and its Ar-Ar laboratory. Other institutional co-operation activities include the study of tectonometamorphism and magmatism with the Departments of Geology of the Universities of Lisbon and Aveiro; geochronology of Spanish igneous rocks with the Universidad Complutense de Madrid; characterisation of acid and basic magmatism of Moroccan Atlas with Instituto Geológico e Mineiro (Portugal); Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah of Fez and Université Chouaib Dukkali of Al Jadida, Morocco.

3. Group 3 - GEO-INDUSTRY

3.1. Leader
- Nelson Viegas Rodrigues, Professor Associado da F.C.T.U.C..
3.2. Research Team:
- João António Mendes Serra Pratas, Professor Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.
- Fernando Antunes Gaspar Pita, Professor Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.
- Fernando Pedro Ortega de Oliveira Figueiredo, Professor Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.
- Maria Sara da Ascensão Renca, Assistente da F.C.T.U.C.

3.3. Collaborators:
- Fernando Ferreira da Cruz, Assistente convidado do Instituto Politécnico de Leiria; Ph.D student supervised by Nelson E. V. Rodrigues;
- Carla Alexandra Gonçalves Correia, Assistente convidada do Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, M.Sc student supervised by Nelson E. V. Rodrigues;
- Rui Paulo Alves Batista, MSc student supervised by Nelson E. V. Rodrigues;
- Paulo Jorge Campos Favas, PhD student supervised by João António Mendes Serra Pratas and Maria Elisa Preto Gomes:

3.4. Scientific Objectives:
This unit has just been launched and it has as a main goal the study of the different phases which lead to the sustainable exploitation of geologic resources (according to the portuguese law these are classified into five groups: mineral deposits, hydromineral resources, geothermal resources, mineral masses and spring waters). In particular collaboration with the industry will be privileged within the next years. However, and due to the fact that, at present, the group is small and the research field envisaged is vast, the investigation will concentrate on specific sectors. At present the ongoing projects are:
-Mine re-opening: strategies for environmental management;
-Extraction and re-injection of hot wasted waters;
- Mining decontamination by hyperaccumulator plant species;
-Optimal location of quarries;
-Groundwater protection zones (GPZ) in fractured formations
Some finished projects include:
-The use of tracers in fractured formations (support from the Portuguese Scientific Foundation)
-Proppant transport in fractured reservoirs (support from the EC - Thermie program)
-Modelling fault zone heterogeneity and hydrodynamics (EC – Nuclear Fission and Safety Program);
-Application of biogeochemistry – use of bio-indicators in some mined areas;
-Flotation of a specific portuguese kaolin clay;
-Modelling using data from gravimetric geophysical methods;
So to sum up this research unit focus, at present, on five specific issues: (1) fractured formations (fluid flow and coupled mechanics), (2) environmental rehabilitation, (3) mineral processing of industrial minerals, (4) optimal location, and (5) applications of geophysical methods.
3.5. Proposed Activities:
For the coming three years the activities of the group are split into ongoing projects and application to new projects. For the ongoing projects:
-Mine re-opening: geological, geophysical and geobotanical surveying of the old mined area in Arouca (Centre Portugal); delineation of contaminant plumes; this project supports, in part, a PhD thesis;
-Extraction and re-injection of hot wasted waters; laboratory tests in an artificially fractured granite block to study the temperature influence; field flow tests in existing boreholes in spa areas (North of Portugal); characterisation of the fracture network; this project includes a MSc thesis (Influence of temperature in fractured formations);
-Mining decontamination by hyperaccumulator plant species; selection of plant species which accumulate uranium; germination programs for these species; plant settlement at the Senhora da Hora site;
-Optimal location of quarries – use of multicriteria operations research methods; data collection at different quarries; selection of criteria; use of multicriteria methods (namely ELECTRE III-IV); this project will lead to a PhD thesis;
-Groundwater protection zones (GPZ) in fractured formations – Caldas de Sangemil spa; site surveying; assessment of water quality at different water emergencies; use of DRASTIC methodologies to define the three protection areas considered in the portuguese legislation; proposal of different methodologies for GPZ in fractured formations; it will lead to a MSc thesis.
New projects:
-The use of flotation to improve the quality of kaolinitic portuguese ores; to assess the viability of froth flotation methods in the processing of these ores; to propose a phenomenological model which describes draining phenomena in the froth as a function of particle size.
-Application of geophysical methods (gravimetric, electric and electromagnetic) in prospecting and archaeology.
Within three or four years the research will shift towards economic evaluation of mining enterprises and their management (and more specifically geopolitics

4. Group 4 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

4.1. Leader
- Mário de Oliveira da Quinta Ferreira, Prof. Auxiliar do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva da F.C.T.U.C..
4.2. Research Team:
- António Luís de Almeida Saraiva, Prof. Associado da F.C.T.U.C..
- Lídia Maria Gil Catarino, Prof. Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C..
- Pedro Gomes Cabral Santarém Andrade, Assistente da F.C.T.U.C..
- Fernando Varela Matias Castelo Branco, Prof. Auxiliar Convidado da F.C.T.U.C.
- Virgílio Rebelo, Prof. Auxiliar Convidado da F.C.T.U.C..

4.3. Collaborators:
- Luís Joaquim Leal Lemos, Professor Associado com Agregação da F.C.T.U.C..
- António José Ganilho Lopes Velho, Prof. Auxiliar da Universidade de Aveiro.
- Ana Maria de Morais Caldas Antão, Prof. Adjunta do Instituto Politécnico da Guarda.
- Anabela Quintela Nunes Veiga, Assistente de 1º Triénio do Instituto Politécnico de Tomar
- José Luís Feiteira Dias, M.Sc.
- Maria Helena Garrido Baptista, M.Sc student

4.4. Scientific Objectives:
- Study of the characteristics and behavior of the geological material used in engineering.
- Study of slope stability in rocks and soils.
- Engineering geology mapping and planning.
- Study of the weathering and treatment of natural stones.
- Research in archaeological raw materials and historic buildings.
- Environmental mapping.
- Non metallic resources.

4.5. Proposed Activities:
- During the next three years it is intend to perform research work in the following projects:

1) Geotechnical behavior of Guarda granite related with weathering.
For the granite bodies in the region of Guarda it will be done a detailed geological study, both at local and regional scale, sample collection of all grades of weathering, as defined by the International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM). In the laboratory a global study of the rock, starting by a mineralogical and petrographical description, chemical analysis, and physical and mechanical characterization will be done for each weathering grade, and the results will be compared to obtain a better understanding of the mineralogical, physical and mechanical changes associated with the weathering. The more weathered grades will be studied with more detail, as a main objective of the project is to understand the physical and mechanical properties of the granite soft rocks and residual soils, in the area of Guarda.

2) Preservation and restoring of materials obtain in the archaeological site “Roman Villa of Rabaçal”.
It will be study different kinds of rock used to made decorative and structural elements as bas-reliefs and columns. Effective preservation in situ requires a thorough understanding of the factors that might bring about the deterioration of the archaeological evidence.
The mineralogical and chemical composition will be study together with the degree of deterioration of the stone pieces under microscope thin slices and by scanning electron microscope in order to determine particle size distribution, coating aspect and existing pathology. Porosity and permeability are other properties that must be analysed due to its importance in the interaction of rock to atmospheric environment and reaction to materials used in protection and stabilisation. Tests of pieces with and without protection will be made in order to evaluate the efficiency of the superficial treatment.

3) Geotechnical cartography and urban planning in Leiria.
The work concerns the study of an area, previously used for agriculture and mineral extraction, and that is being prepared to be used for urban construction in the surroundings of the city of Leiria.
The study started with the execution of the geological cartography and the evaluation of the tectonic structures influencing the area. The main geological materials are dolerite, limestone, marls, claystones, sandstones and cover soils. Samples are being collected. In the laboratory the representative soils and rocks in the area will be studied using several identification and characterizations tests will be done in the laboratory.

4) Research on the causes inducing slope instability.
The factors that contribute to the occurrence of huge mass movements are human or natural, due to the increase of the shear stresses, strength reduction, usually due to physico-chemical changes in the minerals, structural modifications and reduction of effective stress due to the increase of the pore water pressures. The safety conditions of the slopes and of the eventual need for preventive or corrective procedures will be investigated with the following main objectives: - understand the causes/consequences of the slope failures occurred and their relation between the date of failure, the weather conditions, the number of slides; -obtain information about the instabilization process, through the identification of their agents/causes and the definition of a phenomenological model; - analyze the history of events of the slope, that could have contributed to the instabilization; - to predict the behaviour of the geological-geotechnical units under natural or applied load, imposed by some types of retention works; - Check the stability conditions of the existing slopes, defining the geometry more suitable and economical to allow an acceptable level of safety, under conditions of natural or human applied loads; - define the prevention or remediation procedures.

5) Slope Stability of rock mass.
Following the work carried out in the previous years, our aim is to conclude the final part of the Ph.D regarding the study of Rock Slope Stability.
Our research plan is divided into: - Analysis of the structural and geological conditions; - Geotechnical characterization of the existing rock slope material; - Characterization of the geomechanical parameters of discontinuity planes.
A detailed analysis of the main characteristics of discontinuity surfaces is crucial. There are different types of instability in the slopes that were studied: wedge, circular, planar and toppling failure. The study of roughness is based on the estimation of the Joint Roughness Coefficient (JRC). The establishment of the JRC is based on two methods: a graphic method and an analytic method. In the analytic method, the JRC is obtained through tilt tests and Schmidt hammer tests. In the next years will continue to do research on the following areas: characterization of slope problems that may occur on road slopes; application of software programs in potential wedge failures and rock falls; characterization of the thickness, permeability and resistance of the “Xisto-Grauváquico” complex weathered material.

5. Group 5 - GEOCHEMISTRY OF GRANITIC ROCKS, ASSOCIATED ORE DEPOSITS AND CRUSTAL FLUIDS

5.1. Leader
- Ana Margarida Ribeiro Neiva, Definitive full professor, F.C.T.U.C
5.2. Research Team:
- João Manuel Cotelo Neiva, Emeritus full professor, F.C.T.U.C;
- Maria Manuela da Vinha Guerreiro da Silva, lecturer, F.C.T.U.C;
- Maria Elisa Preto Gomes, reader, UTAD;
- Elsa Maria Carvalho Gomes, lecturer, F.C.T.U.C;
- Thomaz Ferreira da Costa Campos, lecturer, UFRGS;
Research students:
- I.M.H.R. Antunes, A.R.Z.S. Cruz, J.M. Pinto, R.J.S. Teixeira, P.C.S. Carvalho, M.M.S.C. Pinto, M.R.C. Marques and T.P.B. Mendes
The Group 5 has three main projects.
a) Geochemistry of Hercynian granitoid rocks
Different areas (at least five) will be studied. The main objectives are: 1) geology of each area with characterization of contacts among different granitoid rocks and their contact metamorphism; 2) detailed petrography of each granitoid type; 3) mineralogical association of contact metamorphism and metasomatism; 4) geochemistry of major, trace elements and REE of all granitoid rocks and their micas; 5) chemical analyses of minerals; 6) Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd and 18O/16O isotopic data of granitoid rocks; 7) modelling of major and trace elements and isotopic data; 8) petrogenesis.
The modal compositions of different granitoids and their enclaves will be determined by point counter. Major and trace elements of granitoid rocks and mica concentrators will be obtained by XRF, while REE will be analysed by ICP-MS. Minerals will be analysed by electron microprobe. The interpretation of data will give suggestions for their origins, such as fractional crystallization, different magma pulses (Neiva, 1998) and hybrid rocks (Silva et al., 2000). Samples can be selected for isotopic data, and give age and help to find out if they have origin in crust, mantle or in both (Silva et al., 2000). Modelling will proove the main mechanism involved. The electron-microprobe analyses of minerals of contact metamorphism and metasomatism will enable to calculate thermodynamic conditions.

b) Geochemistry of tourmalines of granitic pegmatites from Mozambique (the samples were already collected).
Electron-microprobe data on tourmalines from concentrically zoned LCT-type granitic pegmatites from Mozambique will give an insight into the relationship between magmatic (Neiva, 1974) and hydrothermal tourmaline formations. They will also show the evolutions of magmatic tourmaline during fractional crystallization and from earlier to late hydrothermal tourmalines. Backscattered images will show the zonation type of single crystals. The interpretation will help to better characterize the zones and units of the granitic pegmatites. Similarity or distinction in tourmaline compositions from metasomatic rock adjacent to pegmatites and hydrothermal tourmalines from replacement units and veinlet units of pegmatites will explain their origins.

c) Hydrothermal ore deposits, the interaction of fluids with rocks and environmental impacts of old mine workings
To select representative exploited mineral deposits with old mine workings, which had not received any environmental treatment of: 1) cassiterite, wolframite and sulfides; 2) wolframite, gold and stibnite. To study the geology of the area and to get the compositions of hydrothermal ore minerals by electron microprobe. The petrography of ore samples will help to identify different generations of ore minerals. To analyze the heavy metals in different rocks, stream sediments, soils and surface, and groundwaters from both areas, mainly by atomic absorption. The data interpretation will inform on the processes governing the chemistry of environments, interaction of fluids will country rocks and abandoned mine workings and environmental impacts (Antunes et al., 2001).
This research group has a good experience on the study of granitic rocks and associated ore deposits with several publications. Recently they started research on crustal fluids and their interaction with abandoned mine workings and have two papers in press (Chem. Geol.). This group has good co-operations with several foreign institutions, which are well equipped.
The main difficulties are the absence of equipment working well at our Department and the shortage of economic support to go abroad to get good analytical data and to attend international meetings.

References

Antunes, I.M.H.R., Neiva, A.M.R. and Silva, M.M.V.G. (2001). The mining impact on the environment at Segura, Central Portugal. Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, Villasimius, Italy, 2, 1169-1172.
Neiva, A.M.R. (1974). Geochemistry of tourmaline (schorlite) from granites, aplites and pegmatites from northern Portugal. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 38, 1307-1317.
Neiva, A.M.R. (1998). Geochemistry of highly peraluminous granites and their minerals between Douro and Tamega valleys, northern Portugal. Chem. Erde, 58, 161-184.
Silva, M.M.V.G., Neiva, A.M.R. and Whitehouse, M.J. (2000). Geochemistry of enclaves and host granites from the Nelas area, central Portugal. Lithos, 50, 153-170.

6. Group 6 - HYDROGEOLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES

6.1. Leader
- 1- José Manuel Martins Azevedo, Prof. Auxiliar da FCTUC.

6.2. Research Team:
- 2 - Martim Ramiro Portugal V Ferreira, Prof. Cadedrático da FCTUC.
- 3- Ana M Pires Alencoão, Prof. Auxiliar da UTAD.
- 4- Fernando A Leal Pacheco, Prof. Auxiliar da UTAD.
- 5- Alcino de Sousa Oliveira, Prof. Auxiliar da UTAD.
- 6- Manuel J Ferreira Morais, Assistente da FCTUC.
- 7- Ana I A S S Andrade, Assistente da FCTUC.
- 8- Ana M A Castilho, Assistente da FCTUC.
- 9- Anabela R Reis, Assistente da UTAD.
- 10- Pedro Neves; Mestrando da FCTUC.

6.3. Collaborators:
- 11 - Manuel Augusto Marques da Silva, Prof. Associado da Universidade de Aveiro.
- 12- João José Lopo Mendonça, Prof. Auxiliar da Universidade de Lisboa.

6.4. Scientific Objectives and Proposed Activities:
6.4.1. Strategical Objective: Qualitative and quantitative characterisation of: (1) Surface and Ground waters, (2) Hydrodynamic and Hydrochemical Processes on the subsurface domains

6.4.2. Investigation domains – Team – Objectives – Activities
A- Hydrodynamics in Unsaturated Porous Media – 1, 8, and 10 – Characterisation and evaluation of: (1) Water retention and depuration and (2) Hydrodynamic on an alluvial unsaturated zone. Results integration and contribution for regional environmental management – Field (Baixo Mondego) and laboratorial tests for: (1) infiltration rate, (2) water retention and (3) hydraulic conductivity evaluation; Water content profiles for Unsaturated Zone (USZ). Physical and chemical analysis for surface, USZ and unconfined aquifer waters.
B- Characterisation for Hydrographic Basins – 1, 2, 3, 7 and 12 – Fisiographic analysis; Characterisation for surface and ground waters regime; Water balance for each basin – Record of climatic parameters with mobile stations; classification of the drainage systems and quantification of stream discharge; inventory of “water-points” and contamination sources.
C- Hydrogeology of Fractured Massifs – 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 – To settle: (1) piezometric surfaces; (2) hydraulic systems. To determine: (1) aquifer hydraulic parameters; (2) global and sectarian water resources – Litostructural mapping; Regular evaluation of the piezometric levels; Interpretation of pumping tests.
D- Hydrothermalism – 2, 3, 5 and 6 – Characterisation of the hydrogeological setting for minerothermal springs, particularly for: (1) recharge areas; (2) hydraulic circuits; (3) hydrogeochemistry processes. Definition of protection areas – Inventory for minerothermal springs; Sampling and analysis of the geologic media and emergent water; Detailed hydrogeological mapping for the spring areas.
E- Hydrogeochemistry and Water quality – 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12 – Interpretation of the rock-groundwater interaction mechanisms; To evaluate: (1) the water quality for the different uses; (2) the aquifer capacity for water depuration; To draw maps for groundwater vulnerability – Water sampling and analysis; geochemistry characterisation; Assessment for pollution sources and processes.
F- Hydrogeological Modelling – 1, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12 – Conceptual and mathematical modelling for: (1) Hydrodynamic systems in the USZ; (2) Aquifers and aquitards; (3) Aquifer recharge processes; (4) Vulnerability of fractured and porous media – Acquisition, analysis and interpretation of the field and laboratorial data.
G- Hidrogeological Mapping – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 – To build maps for different hydrogeological settings and at several scales – Integration of the data coming from the previous investigation domains. Inventory and monitoring for “water-points”. Remote sensing and litostrutural interpretation. To perform geophysical techniques.

6.5. Field and laboratorial localities and facilities
The field works will take place on the Central (Hesperic Massif and Meso-Cenozoic domains) and North-East (Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro regions) Portugal. The laboratorial activities will happen in DCT-FCT-Coimbra University and UTAD.

7. Group 7 - RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION IN PALAEONTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY

7.1. Leader
- Maria Helena Paiva Henriques, Prof. Auxiliar do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva da F.C.T.U.C..

7.2. Research team:
- Pedro Miguel Callapez Tonicher, Prof. Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Rui Pena dos Reis, Prof. Associado com Agregação da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Jorge Leitão Dinis, Prof. Auxiliar da F.C.T.U.C.;
- Pedro Alexandre Dinis, Assistente da F.C.T.U.C..

7.3. Collaborators:
- A. Galopim de Carvalho, Prof. Catedrático Jubilado da F.C. Univ. Lisboa e Director do Museu Nacional de História Natural;
- Sixto Fernández López, Prof. Catedrático da Universidade Complutense de Madrid;
- Maria Soledad Ureta Gil, Prof. Titular da Universidade Complutense de Madrid;
- José Sandoval Gabarrón, Prof. Titular da Universidade de Granada;
- Maria Carlos Chieira Mariano Pego, Arqueóloga e Chefe de Divisão da Cultura, Desporto e Tempos Livres da Câmara Municipal de Cantanhede;
- Berta Bem-Haja, Prof. do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva do Grupo 10ºB da Escola Guilherme Stephens da Marinha Grande e em exercício na Escola Básica 2.3 de Cantanhede;
- Aires Manuel Gonçalves Alexandre, Prof. do Quadro de Nomeação Definitiva do Grupo 10ºB e Presidente da Direcção Nacional da Associação Portuguesa de Professores de Biologia-Geologia;
- 1 Ph.D. and 7 M.Sc. students of Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal) and Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain).

7.4. Scientific Objectives
The main purposes of the team are to accurate the stratigraphical boundaries of the most relevant episodes characterizing the geological history of the Lusitanian Basin since the beginning of Mesozoic until now (Plio-Quaternary included), as well as to detail the actual knowledge about the invertebrate palaeocommunities contemporaneous of these episodes. These goals will be achieved: 1) by the full understanding of the nature of the fossil record integrating the post-Paleozoic Paleontological Heritage of Portugal, for stratigraphical purposes and for paleoenvironmental reconstructions; 2) and by the correlation with related basins of the available and the future data on the ranges and composition of the fossil assemblages.
The preservation of the Portuguese Paleontological and Stratigraphical Heritage can be institutionally achieved if that Heritage is recognized as a public value by the society. So, the team pretends to develop academic research in coordination with public activities on geoconservation. Special actions will be focused on STS (Science-Technology-Society) and PUS (Public Understanding of Science) issues in connection with Educators on Sciences, as well as in Science Journalism in connection with media agents.
The project will be developed in partial cooperation with some members integrating group 1 (Basin Analysis, Systems and Sedimentary Resources).

7.5. Proposed Activities
They will be developed for the next three years according with six complementary domains:
- scientific research on Paleontology and Stratigraphy of post-Paleozoic sedimentary series of Portugal (Continental, Azores and Madeira), in connection with similar activities developed and on the way in other basins of the Iberian Plate (Douro, Iberian, Betic, Cantabrian and Catalan), Brazil, Angola and Mozambique;
- application of paleontological data in geological maps, namelly in the definition of litostratigraphical units, in cooperation with the Instituto Geológico e Mineiro (as in the last years, 2);
- Communication on Science in museums and in the media;
- Communication on Science using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), namelly the creation and the management of a website on Paleontology and the edition of CD-ROMs (as in the last years, 4);
- research orientated teacher education in Geological Sciences for primary and secondary teachers, in connection with associations with that purpose (Associação de Professores de Biologia-Geologia, Centro de Formação de Professores da Liga de Amigos de Conímbriga);
- evaluation and preservation of the Geological Heritage of Portugal, in connection with institutions of nature defense (Instituto de Conservação da Natureza) and in international foruns (ProGEO, International Subcommission on Jurassic Stratigraphy).

7.6. Further Remarks
This team does not display yet of a laboratory of Paleontology, which is crutial for its efficiency. Material is generally prepared abroad (mainly in Spain) and figured types have no special room for curation.
The leader integrates the successful proposition of the first Jurassic GSSP established by the IUGS (the Bajocian stage boundary at Cabo Mondego, Portugal, 1 and 3), and the reference material (ammonoids) must have special care (storage and consultation conditions available to the international community).

7.7. References
1) Henriques, M. H.; Gardin, S.; Gomes, C.R.; Soares, A. F.; Rocha, R. B.; Marques, J. F.; Lapa, M. R. & Montenegro, J. D. (1994) - "The Aalenian-Bajocian boundary at Cabo Mondego (Portugal)", Miscellanea Serv. Geol. Nazion., Roma, 5: 63-67, 7 fig., 2 tavv.; 2) Manuppella et al., 2000; see Publications of this report; 3) Rocha, R.; Henriques, M. H. P.; Soares, A. F.; Mouterde, R.; Caloo, B.; Ruget, C. & Fernández-López, S. (1990) - "The Cabo Mondego section as a possible Bajocian boundary stratotype", Mem. Descr. Carta Geol. d'It., Roma, XL: 49-60, 2 figs., 3 ests.; 4) Rocha et al., 2001; see Publications of this report.

8. Group 8 - MODELLING OF GEOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

8.1. Leader
- Luís José Proença de Figueiredo Neves, Prof. Associado da FCTUC.

8.2. Research Team:
- M.M. Godinho, Professor Catedrático da FCTUC;
- L.C.G. Pereira, Professor Associado da FCTUC;
- J.M.M. Dias, Professor Associado Convidado da FCTUC;
- A.J.S.C. Pereira, Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC;
- C.S.R. Gomes, Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC;
- A.M.O.S. Tavares, Professor Auxiliar da FCTUC;
- J.M.S. Figueiredo, Assistente da FCTUC.

8.3. Collaborators:
- W.E. Stephens (Dep. Geography and Geoscience, Univ. St. Andrews);
- T. Fallick (Isotope Geol. Unit, Scottish Univ. Env. Res. Center);
- T. Hurford (Fission-Track Res. Group, Dep. Geology Univ. London);
- D. R. Garcia (Dep. Geosci. Univ. Vigo);
- M.G. Crespo (Inst. Earth Sci. Jaume Almera, Univ. Barcelona);
- 1 Ph.D and 14 M.Sc. students of the Department of Earth Sciences of FCTUC.

8.4. Scientific Objectives:
The objective of group 8 is to model geological systems, using mathematical tools whenever possible, as well as computer techniques like GIS and remote sensing; special emphasis is given to environmental topics. In the last three years two main projects were carried out, one related with the numeric modeling of the cooling of granitic plutons, and the other with the geology of radon; the first was discontinued in 2001 (some results are still waiting an opportunity to be published), and the second is proposed to continue trough the next 3 years. As a result of the reorganization of the research unit, Group 8 (formerly Group 4) has now two new permanent members; in order to accommodate their skills and research activities, two new projects are proposed. Thus, the Group is now organized in 3 projects (P1, P2 and P3) as follows.

P1. Geology of Radon
A large number of uranium mineralizations occur in the Iberian Massif, namely in Central Portugal, presenting a strong tectonic control; some were explored in the past. Most of these mineralizations are supergenic and of a superficial nature (50 meters); by this reason, they present a significant environmental risk as a source of natural radioactivity (particularly radon). The background radon potential of some of the Hercynian granites that outcrop in Central Portugal is also relatively high, as a consequence of their U contents (>10 ppm), and of the partial presence of this element in secondary minerals, mineral borders and microfractures. The aim of this project is to characterize and understand the geological factors that control radon potential, and to model these factors in order to produce radon risk maps at a detailed scale (1:25000). This project has started in 1996 and has already produced a few dozens of publications; most of the necessary analytical techniques have been implemented by the research team in a new laboratory (Laboratory of Natural Radioactivity). Some of the works to be carried out in the next 3 years include: a) selection of a few urban areas with favorable geology to perform detailed studies (eg. Guarda, Oliveira do Hospital, Tondela, Sertã, Figueró dos Vinhos) including geological mapping, fracture detection (in the filed and with the help of photogeological and remote sensing techniques), gamma-ray field survey, U content analysis, radon evaluation in soils (instant concentration at a depth of 80 cm and flux at the surface) and dwellings (average values estimated with passive detectors and continuous monitoring with appropriate equipments); GIS techniques will be extensively used to model the information, in order to produce radon risk maps; b) fission-track, passive detector and electron microscope studies in order to investigate the mineralogical distribution of uranium in rocks, namely granites; c) radon emanation studies of rocks and building materials; d) characterization of the radiological impact of tailings and waste rock of old uranium mines of Central Portugal.

P2. Geological Risk Assessment in Urban Areas
The purpose of this project is to develop methodologies for the elaboration of risk maps that can be considered as guides for land use planning of urban areas. Some of the natural risks that are worth to consider in the context of the portuguese geology will be evaluated, namely landslides, subsidence and floods; other risks resulting from human activity, namely of geotechnical nature, as well as mineral and industrial dusts, will be also considered. The methods to carry these studies include standard geological techniques, with detailed mapping (1:5000 to 1:25000), geotechnical evaluation, detection of fracture patterns through field work and remote sensing. Triggering factors related with rotational slides and lateral spreads will be evaluated, and the dimension, feature, state and style of movement characterized, as well as mechanical analysis of the displaced materials carried out. Magnetic properties will be used for the analysis of soils and industrial/mineral dusts, in order to evaluate pollution loadings. The information will be modeled with GIS techniques to produce the final risk maps. The studies will start in a few geologically suitable urban areas of Central Portugal, namely Coimbra, Tondela and Seia, which present a diversity of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks.

P3. Tectonic evolution of Iberia
The purpose of this project is to understand some key-features of the tectonic evolution of Iberia. Methods to be used include the detection and interpretation of tectonic structures, through field work, aerial photos and satellite image analysis; age constraints will be provided by paleomagnetic studies, through the evaluation of MRN stability of specific rocks and estimation of paleopoles. Studies will be focused on the western region of the Central-Iberian Zone and on the shear belt Porto-Coimbra-Tomar. Some representative rock units of different stratigraphic positions from different locations of Iberia, namely Meso-cenozoic sediments, Mesozoic basic dykes and igneous rocks of Cretaceous age of the Monchique and Sines massifs will be also studied. Some of the necessary analytical facilities are provided by the Universities of Barcelona and Vigo (Spain).