Research Areas
PPG-Geosciences
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.
PPG-EHCT
The History and Philosophy of Natural Sciences line of research is geared to the promotion of studies and research in History and Philosophy of Science (HFC) and the respective social and cultural relations. It promotes projects that explore controversial issues that contribute to a humane manner of conducting science. Natural Sciences play a strategic role in today´s society, however, in order to understand their potential, limits and ethical, economic and cultural scope we should first master the history of the same, or in other words, we need to describe how scientific knowledge was legitimised socially through case studies that revealed the existence of discontinuities and controversies between science and “pseudoscience” (for example, positive results from the “wrong theory”, or natural theology, alchemy etc.). Such as description includes illustrating values and interests of theoretical elaborations, their connections with analytical, empirical and mathematical aspects involving the debate on what is universal, neutral and practical. On this scale it becomes strategic to analyse the “History of Disciplines”, as it was through the description and recreation of how contributions regarded as decisive today that they established themselves as rational and empirical “truths” and defined other forms of knowledge (common sense, religious thought, philosophic speculation, anthropological knowledge). This approach of History and Philosophy of Science provides possibilities for reflection on the field of scientific and technological education.
The line of research in education, teacher training, educational technology and communication in Natural Sciences (ECN) encompasses studies of theoretical and practical nature on the relevance – for Education and Teaching – of knowledge of Natural Sciences, with an emphasis on Earth Sciences. It is a well-known fact that natural processes over Geological Time created the environment in which communities now live and evolve. The line of research covers different levels of schooling from primary education to post-graduation and teacher training. The central issue to be answered is: to what extent are Natural Sciences present on a wide scale in the school curriculum and formal and informal education programmes? The multiple answers arising from this theoretical question may include: a) the need for new conceptions to ensure a more harmonious coexistence of societies with nature; (b) educational innovation to create new competencies and skills, with regard to Geosciences in particular and Natural Sciences in general; (c) the importance of people understanding that the phenomena studied by the Natural Sciences interfere with and determine their lives and the scenarios/contexts of the societies to which they belong. This research encompasses the nature of knowledge in Geology, Geosciences and Natural Sciences; the teaching-learning process, curricular policies, curricula and programmes in relation to different levels of teaching, teacher training, scientific dissemination, teaching-learning, teaching material, educational technology and environmental education. The production of teaching resources has been subjected to research within the scope of Communication and Informal Teaching in Geosciences, an area present in the context of the production of EHCT professors and which deals with the disclosure of content and concepts related to Natural Sciences and Earth Sciences, including the analysis of institutions, material supports, processes and means of spreading scientific knowledge. The ECN line of research involves a permanent effort to propose, assess and develop academic and political activities geared to improving the Teaching of Natural Sciences, from primary school to higher education level.
Geology should not continue to focus on the understanding of the past, but should reflect on the future, both with respect to the use of natural resources and to the generation of waste arising from the exploitation and use of such resources. Thus, Geoethics is an interdisciplinary field between Geosciences and Ethics involving the Earth and the Planetary Sciences, in addition to applied ethics; it deals with human ways of thinking and acting in relation to the meaning of the Earth as a system and model. This includes scientific, technological, methodological and socio-cultural aspects, such as sustainability, development, geodiversity and geoheritage, the conscientious consumption of mineral resources, the appropriate measures for foreseeing and mitigating natural risks, the public disclosure and specialised communication in Geosciences. Furthermore, it recognises the need to take appropriate protocols into account for these topics and Social Learning and Education as strategies in order to meet our sustainability goals.
Projects
Sem projetos cadastrados
