Abstract: Besides marine sediments and altered oceanic crust, altered peridotites of the oceanic lithosphere constitute an important sink for carbon, transferring CO2 from the oceans into the deep long-term carbon cycle. However, the role of hydrated peridotites (i.e. serpentinites) in the deep carbon cycle is not very well constrained - neither their contribution as a sink for CO2 nor the behavior of carbonated serpentinites during subduction. To address these topics, this PhD study will investigate two natural archetype occurrences of carbonated serpentinites: listvenites from the Newfoundland ophiolites, Canada, as an example of low-pressure hydrothermal carbonation, and carbonated serpentinites from Sierra Nevada, Spain, which show prograde metamorphism related to subduction. Overall, the results from the natural case studies and accordingly adjusted thermodynamic models of the two described settings will provide better constraints on carbonation reaction processes and on the role of serpentinite in the deep carbon cycle from sink (oceanic carbonation) to source (recycling and metasomatism in the mantle). The outcome of this study might additionally contribute to improve strategies for in-situ CO2- sequestration in serpentinites.
Supervisors:
Carlos J. Garrido (IACT, Granada)
Claudio Marchesi (Dep. Mineralogía y Petrología, Univ. Granada)
Mentor:
Carlos J. Garrido Marín (IACT, CSIC)
Commission members:
Prof. Vicente López Sánchez-Vizcaíno (President, Univ. Jaén)
Dr. Antonio Delgado Huertas ( (Secretary, Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología & IACT)
Dr. Antonio Acosta Vigil (IACT, Granada)
To be held on:
October 23rd 2015, 9:30 am.
IACT, Armilla; Meeting Room, 2nd stage.
Bio-sketch: Manuel received his Bachelor in Geosciences and Master in Geology at the University of Freiburg, Germany. In his BSc-thesis, he investigated carbonated peridotite breccias from the Gakkel-Ridge in the Arctic Ocean. During his MSc, he focused on magmatic and metamorphic petrology, investigating carbonatites and contact-metamorphic carbonate rocks of the Seiland Igneous Province, Northern Norway. Currently he is doing a PhD at the Andalusian Earth Science Institute (CSIC-IACT) and the University of Granada (Spain). He is a fellow of the EU-funded Marie-Curie Initial Training Network ABYSS.
Abstract: The estuarine system known as Ria de Huelva is composed by the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto Rivers on the Atlantic coast of south Spain and includes one of the most important marsh ecosystems in Europe. However, it is considered one of the most polluted aquatic systems worldwide due to the abandoned mining activity in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) and to the intensive industrial activity. The latter, among others, includes the production of phosphate fertilisers resulting to a waste by-product called phosphogypsum (PG). This PhD research will investigate the contamination due to effluents coming from PG piles, which are exposed to the weathering conditions and are leaching to the estuarine system, carrying potentially toxic metals and radionuclides. More specifically, this research aims to examine the mobility of contaminants in PG-related leachates during redox oscillations and seawater mixing, along with the efficiency of a treatment method by alkaline addition.
Supervisors:
Rafael Pérez López (Univ. Huelva)
Carlos J. Garrido (IACT, Granada)
Mentor:
Carlos J. Garrido Marín (IACT, CSIC)
Commission members:
Dr. Antonio Delgado Huertas (President, IACT)
Prof. Claudio Marchesi (Secretary, Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología & IACT)
Dr. Arantxa Peñas Heras (IACT)
To be held on:
October 22nd 2015, 9:30 am.
IACT, Armilla; Meeting Room, 2nd stage.
Bio-sketch: Evgenia-Maria received her BSc degree in Geology and Geo-environment from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), where she focused on environmental pollution. She holds an MSc degree in Environmental Biogeochemistry with consultancy skills from the University of Newcastle (UK), where her thesis dealt with Mn removal from drinking water with the use of Electrokinetic remediation. In the framework of her PhD project, she will investigate environmental pollution of heavy metals in estuaries and groundwaters due to the weathering of Phosphogypsum (PG) piles in the industrial area of Huelva, Spain, along with a potential alkaline treatment for acidic PG-related leachates.
Abstract.Main aim of this study is to improve our knowledge of carbonate mineral precipitation in alkaline fluid systems related to serpentinization processes. The research approach includes thorough examination of both natural samples in serpentinization-driven, alkaline springs and crystal growth experiments under alkaline conditions. Samples collected from alkaline springs and travertine terraces in Oman (Samail ophiolites) as natural examples of mineral precipitation in springs associated to on-land active serpentinization. Experimental work will encompass crystal growth experiments and controlled carbonate mineral precipitation using synthetic compositions. The experimental study will also involve mineral crystallization from Oman alkaline fluids doped with variable silica contents, as well as on-site field and laboratory experiments with the aim to examine the effect of pristine alkaline fluids on different rock types. Anticipated outcome of this study is to obtain detailed data collections of potential self-assembled mineral morphologies in natural and synthetic samples; this textural database can be used as a tool for the understanding of carbonate mineral precipitation mechanisms under alkaline conditions in active and past alkaline environments. In addition, new insights in carbonate mineral phases and textures regarding mineralogical patterns in natural environments and mineralization processes under abiotic conditions will likely be revealed.
Supervisors:
Carlos J. Garrido Marín (IACT, CSIC)
Juan Manuel Garcia Ruiz (IACT, CSIC)
Mentor:
Carlos J. Garrido Marín (IACT, CSIC)
Commission members:
Prof. Fernando Gervilla (President, Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología & IACT)
Prof. Claudio Marchesi (Secretary, Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología & IACT)
Prof. Antonio Sánchez Navas (Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología & IACT)
To be held on:
Thursday, September 24, 2015, 10:30 am.
IACT, Armilla; Meeting Room, 2nd stage.
Abstract. Los arrecifes de coral son uno de los ecosistemas de mayor importancia por albergar una elevada biodiversidad. Entender la capacidad de respuesta y los cambios evolutivos de la fauna que los constituye, contribuye a pronosticar los escenarios futuros, ante los tensores ambientales actuales generados por actividades antrópicas. La península de La Guajira en el Caribe colombiano es un lugar idóneo para estudiar los cambios en las faunas de corales y briozoos en uno de los episodios más importantes para estos ecosistemas en la transición del Oligoceno al Mioceno.
Supervisor:
Juan Carlos Braga (Dept. Stratigraphy and Paleontology, UGR)
Mentor:
Julio Aguirre Rodríguez (Dept. Stratigraphy and Paleontology, UGR)
Commission members:
To be held on:
Friday, July 3, 2015, 11:00 a.m.
Seminar E-2, Dept. Stratigraphy and Paleontology, Faculty of Sciences.
Resumen. Las variaciones climáticas en el futuro pueden ser un fiel reflejo de lo acaecido en el pasado. De esta forma, el estudio multidisciplinar (palinológico, geoquímica orgánica e inorgánica, carbones, gasterópodos, etc.) en diversas lagunas y turberas del sur de la Península Ibérica es un perfecto laboratorio natural para observar cambios paleoambientales y climáticos en el Mediterráneo occidental y Sur de Europa, y que pueden ser utilizados como herramienta para deducir la evolución climática future..
Director:
Gonzalo Jiménez Moreno (Dpto. de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, UGR)
Tutor:
Antonio Checa González (Dpto. de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, UGR)
Tribunal:
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Miércoles 10 de Junio de 2015, 12:00 horas
Seminario E-2, Dept. Estratigrafía y Paleontología
Resumen. El ladrillo, un material utilizado desde la antigüedad, sigue siendo entre lo más utilizados en construcción debido a sus características: ligero, duradero, económico y estéticamente agradable. Este proyecto de tesis se basa en la elaboración de nuevos ladrillos utilizando materiales de desecho, con el objetivo de producir un producto final de calidad así como promover la protección del medio ambiente y favorecer un desarrollo sostenible de este sector industrial, con particular atención a la optimización de la temperatura de cocción. Este estudio se basará en una caracterización de detalle de la mineralogía, textura, sistema poroso, compacidad y durabilidad de los materiales cocidos.
Directores:
Claudio Mazzoli (Univ Padova)
Giuseppe V. Cultrone (Dpto. de Mineralogía y Petrología, UGR)
Tribunal:
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Miércoles 10 de Junio de 2015, 11:00 horas
Seminario de Geología (segunda planta área de Geología), Facultad de Ciencias.
Resumen. Las cuencas de Coloso y Chañarcillo, Cretácico Inferior, representan el último episodio marino en el trasarco del Norte de Chile. Sin embargo, no han sido estudiadas en profundidad desde el punto de vista paleontológico y bioestratigráfico. Esta tesis doctoral pretende aportar nuevos datos sobre el registro paleontológico de la Cuenca de Chañarcillo y la Cuenca de Coloso, y establecer para esta última la sucesión bioestratigráfica y sus relaciones paleobiogeográficas con las cuencas ubicadas al norte y al sur en el margen oeste de Gondwana.
Directores:
Miguel Company Sémpere (Dpto. de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, UGR)
Hans-G. Wilke (Dpto. de Geología, Universidad Católica del Norte)
Tutor:
Francisco Javier Rodriguez Tovar (Dpto. de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, UGR)
Tribunal:
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Miércoles 13 mayo de 2015, 11:00 horas
Aula E2, Dpto. de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias
Resumen. Desde el S XI hasta 1950 aprox se ha identificado en Zaragoza, Teruel y el levante español el uso de yeso como material estructural, sirviendo de conglomerante a la hora de hacer pilares, muros de carga, bóvedas... Se estudian las propiedades de este material original (yeso multifase), relacionadas con el proceso de fabricación tradicional y su puesta en obra. Se optimizan de los métodos de fabricación de un yeso similar al “tradicional” con técnicas/procesos industriales actuales, para garantizar una conservación/restauración del Patrimonio construido en yeso compatible.
Directores:
María Paz Sáez Pérez (Dpto. Construcciones Arquitectónicas, UGR)
Antonio Almagro Gorbea (Escuela de Estudios Árabes, CSIC)
Tutor:
Carlos Rodríguez Navarro (Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología, UGR)
Tribunal:
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Jueves, 7 mayo de 2015, 11:30 horas
Seminario de Geología, Facultad de Ciencias
Resumen. Estudio de pinturas murales al fresco de fachadas de Málaga de los siglos XVIII y XIX. Caracterización de sus componentes materiales para determinar propiedades, patologías y técnicas de ejecución, pudiendo establecer cronologías y posibles autorías. Ensayos de evaluación de tratamientos consolidantes e hidrofugantes realizados en laboratorio para su posterior aplicación in situ.
Directores:
Francisco José Martín Peinado (Dpto. Edafología y Química Agrícola, UGR)
Camilla Mileto (Dpto. Composición Arquitectónica, UPV)
Tutor: Giuseppe Cultrone (Dpto. Mineralogía y Petrología, UGR)
Tribunal:
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Jueves, 23 abril de 2015, 11:30 horas
Seminario de Geología, Facultad de Ciencias
Abstract. Atmospheric radiative transfer modelling is used in applications ranging from monitoring atmospheric species and their evolution on Earth, and Solar system planets and satellites, and energetic balance studies, and climate, to the search of biosignatures in exoplanets. This PhD thesis will focus in problems related with interaction of electromagnetic radiation with optically thick atmospheres, and will study their impact in planetary energy balance and atmospheric dynamics.
Director y tutor:
F. Javier Martín-Torres (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Tribunal:
Presidente: Francisco Javier Huertas (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Secretario: Antonio Delgado Huertas (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Vocal: Aránzazu Peña Heras (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Miércoles 8 de abril de 2015, 10.00 horas
Sala de Juntas, 2ª planta, IACT, Armilla
Abstract. The accurate determination of the oceans primary production is essential to predict their response to climate change and to evaluate the role of the ocean as a sink for anthropogenic CO2. However, none of the currently available methods of determining primary production provides a definitive measurement, making it necessary to concurrently estimate it by different techniques. The 18-O method, which may provide the best estimate of gross primary production, has been used in only 17 studies, none of them being in the Arctic. The PhD will assess metabolism rates in the global ocean (Malaspina expedition) and in two different regions of the Arctic ocean, thus enriching significantly the current database of oceanic metabolism estimates.
Directores:
Antonio Delgado Huertas (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Carlos Manuel Duarte Quesada (Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA, CSIC)
Tutor:
Francisco Javier Huertas (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Tribunal:
Presidenta: Carlota Escutia (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Secretaria: Francisca Martínez Ruiz (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Vocal: Carlos Garrido (nstituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC)
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Miércoles 25 marzo de 2015, 11.00 horas
Sala de Juntas, 2ª planta, IACT, Armilla
Abstract. The use of the eddy covariance technique to measure water, greenhouse gases and energy fluxes between the biosphere and atmosphere is widespread, including use in various regional networks. Currently more then 500 eddy covariance sites are active around the world, measuring carbon exchange at high temporal resolution for different biomes and climatic conditions. The EC measurements made on a single tower often underestimates both the daytime surface energy balance, and nightime respiration of terrestial ecosystem, in part because they cannot account for vertical and horizontal advection, causing systematic errors in estimates of net ecosystem carbon exchange. This study tries to solve this problem by using weighted averages, density corrections and the addition of advection accounting to the eddy covariance formulation, all in accordance with physical conservation laws.
Directores:
Tutor:
Javier Martín Torres (Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-UGR)
Tribunal:
Fecha, hora y lugar:
Viernes 20 de marzo 2015, 10:00 horas
Aula A26, Facultad de Ciencias