PPG Geosciences: Research Areas

The specific goals of this line are: a) the application of the sedimentological and stratigraphic concepts in the geometric recreation of sedimentary bodies; b) the sequential analysis of sedimentary successions; c) the recreation of geotectonic mechanisms of genesis and evolution of the basin; d) biostratigraphy and taxonomic and taphonomic analysis, e) paleoecology; f) the geophysical analysis and remote sensing of tectonic and sedimentary structures, g) the assessment of the uncertainty of economic resources in sedimentary basins; h) the study of the origin of terrestrial sources through petrographic analyses and isotopic ratios in heavy mineral detrital grains; i) the analysis of diagenetic processes.

The line of research focuses on the geological evolution of the Brazilian territory, other countries in Central and South America and other continents, on a regional and local scale, with the aim of defining the factors that control the genesis of rocks mineral deposits, striving to use this knowledge as a means of understanding the geodynamic processes and establishing genetic models capable of subsidising mineral exploration. The researchers involved in this line use a variety of methods and techniques, such as geological mapping, geochronology, petrology, geochemistry of major elements and rock and mineral traces, geochemistry of stable and radiogenic isotopes, fluid inclusions, structural geology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, geophysics and remote sensing, required to understand the evolution of the terrestrial crust and the geological controls that determine the situation, location and economic value of mineral resources.

It includes integrated studies of regions and hydrographic basins with the use of geochemical, geophysical and ecotoxicological approaches. An emphasis is placed on environmental geochemical studies in mining, urban and rural areas, the monitoring of natural radiation, the use of geographic information systems, the assessment of the effects of pollution on human health and the implementation of environmental mitigation and remediation technologies. Experimental research in analytical geochemistry is a fundamental part of this line encompassing the development of methods for the analysis of solid, liquid and organic matrices, in addition to the clarification of the nature and kinetics of geochemical processes. The use of natural resources and the effects of the same on ecosystems and human groups are also addressed.

This line concentrates on methods and techniques for the extraction and analysis of information on natural resources based on satellite images, aerogeophysical and geochemical data, in addition to the integrated spatial analysis of the same using geo-referenced information systems (GIS). The research conducted within the scope of this line is geared to the development and implementation of quantitative and qualitative techniques for the analysis of spatialised information processing, such as the digital processing of remote sensing images, geostatistics and specialist systems. The results of this research are used in the mineral and oil/gas industry, more specifically in exploration (the search for new deposits of these mineral assets), as well as in geo-environmental analysis geared to natural resources.

The aim of this line of research is to contribute to the study of activities related to the use and management of natural energy and water resources, and to urban and territorial management, from a geoscientific point of view. These activities are designed to prevent, control and mitigate harmful impacts for society and the environment, in addition to providing policies and actions for the different social players involved. With regard to sustainable development, we should strive to ensure the optimisation of the use of natural resources and the physical environment. This is based on the assumption that the policies and legislation in relation to natural resources and territorial occupation should guarantee the benefits arising from the use of the same are transferred to society. Furthermore, the irregular distribution of natural resources has taken on increasing importance in recent years, which demands the integration of regional, national and international policies. This also includes the disclosure of scientific knowledge to different audiences (the population in general and specific social groups, for example, town council technicians and professors), working on the interface between scientific knowledge and environmental education.