Geological trip in Albania and a project proposal on the geochemistry & mineralogy of Nickel-laterites and Ni-containing soils of east Albania

Talk of István Dunkl in MN 16, at Tuesday, 2nd of November 17:00

The first part of the presentation is a dia show about the beauty of the country and of course also on the scenic geology. Some slides for invitation (ppt file).

In the second part the geology of the Ni-laterite deposits and their surroundings will be presented. See some slides (ppt file). The major points of the proposal will be outlined and planned to be discussed.

This is a rather wide and complex topic. We plan to develop a long-lasting research concept and students are welcome at any level of common work and common thinking.

Summary of the proposal

This project consists of two organically linked sub-topics. (1) Genesis of Albanian Fe-Ni-laterites (sedimentology, structural geology, geochemistry, mineralogy and transformation). (2) Soil formation on Ni-rich, ultramafic and lateritic substratum - trace element transfer in East Albanian soils and plants. The planned complex geological-geochemical-mineralogical and phytochemical survey aims to give a detailed genetical model for the Ni-laterites and also to investigate the impact of Ni and related trace elements on the environment deriving from the Ni-ore deposits and their host rocks.
(1) The Albanian Ni-laterites were formed from ultramafic ophiolitic rocks during Cretaceous tropical weathering, but the genetical aspects and the details of their geochemistry are hardly studied. The deposits show considerable variation and their sedimentological, petrographic and geochemical features would allow describing the tectonic-paleogeographic aspects of their genesis and diagenetic-metamorphic overprint.
(2) The present weathering discharges trace elements from the ultramafic assemblages as well as from the Ni-deposits, and the mining activity also contributes by wide dispersion of the rather reactive ores. Thus, beyond the geogenic factors the anthropogenic pollution plays a significant role in the trace element content of soils. The manifold geology of the selected study area (Prrenjas, SE Albania) makes it an ideal site for a complex environmental study as it is composed of ultramafic rocks, carbonates, silicic conglomerates, sediments formed from ultramafic rocks and the area contains also a fertile alluvial plain. Mines and dumps of Ni-laterite are also present, sometimes at the immediate vicinity of the very productive arable land.
The Albanian soils formed on ophiolites and on mining areas have the highest Ni content in Europe. Thus, we suggest to study the complex trace element transfer chain from the ultramafic rocks and Ni-ores through the soils until the typical agricultural products of the region. This is of particular importance for the environmental situation in Albania, but we expect also general results concerning Ni-laterite formation and Ni behaviour in the environment.