Scientific research projects and contracts

The trilateral project (Costa Rica-Czech Republic-Cuba) will analyze and adapt the methodology developed by the Czech Geological Survey for the creation of geological maps at a scale of 1:25,000 as an input for generating geological information that is the basis for the construction of a coastal vulnerability map. The project is taking place on a selected part of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The Czech Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Costa Rican Dirección de Geología y Minas, provides the methodology and implementation of geological mapping at a scale of 1:25,000, while the Cuban Geological Survey provides the methodology for the construction of a coastal vulnerability map.

The project is focused on the topic of mineral resources of decorative stone and critical raw materials in the Czech-Saxon border area (Východní Krušné hory Mountains, Czech-Saxon Switzerland, Šluknov area, surroundings of Liberec and Železné Brod) built with crystalline rocks (magmatic and metamorphic), on the questions of their past and future use and to identify the factors affecting their mining on the earth's surface and water. Legislative parameters will be summarized on both sides of the Czech-Saxon border, and practical examples will be addressed during planned workshops and excursions. Experiences both from the legislation and the results of solving real cases, as well as from the discussion topics of the planned workshops, will be reflected in the joint Strategy document. The project will further contribute to raising awareness of mineral natural resources in the addressed regions by publishing a popular publication.

Geothermal-DHC is a research network for the integration of geothermal technologies into decarbonized heating and cooling networks funded by the COST program. Geothermal DHC addresses the integration of geothermal energy into decarbonized heating and cooling networks across Europe. The network follows a bottom-up technological approach that encompasses the whole spectrum of geothermal energy and envisages the entire process chain from planning to operation and monitoring. Our network addresses both renewed existing heating and cooling networks and new networks. Geothermal energy can act as a heat source, sump or storage and can be combined with other renewable sources (eg solar thermal) and waste heat in multivalent heating and cooling networks.

The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) is a partnership of 105 national governments, the European Commission and 127 participating organizations. GEO implements a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and envisions a future where decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations.
The EuroGEOSS initiative is the European regional GEO and will represent the European Caucus within GEO.
The EuroGEOSS vision is to significantly increase the benefits for Europe regarding its participation within GEO through improving user uptake of the data GEO assets generate and by harvesting the environmental information produced through the GEO flagships and initiatives. In this context, e-shape is funded by the European Commission in support of EuroGEO.

The aim of the project is to increase the quality of research in the CGS and its benefits by increasing qualifications researchers in the CGS and by intensifying cooperation with foreign workplaces. Within the project, 6 working stays of CGS researchers abroad and 2 working stays of top foreign researchers in CGS are planned. During the work stays, these employees will have the opportunity to meet the leaders in their field and then pass on the experience gained to other CGS employees.

The main objective of the Czech-Norwegian CO2- SPICER project is to prepare a pilot CO2 storage site on a refined oil and gas field located in southeast Moravia. A number of new approaches and methods will be used in the CO2-SPICER project. In addition to dynamic modelling and computer simulation of CO2 injection, these include state-of-the-art monitoring techniques or assessment of the possibility to combine CO2 storage with bacterial methanogenesis. If the project is successfully completed, it will be the first ever pilot CO2 storage project in Central and Eastern Europe.

The aim of the project is to develop modeling software for predicting the amount of carbon and nutrients in forest ecosystems and to apply the model to long-term monitored forest basins in the 1. Develop modelling software for carbon and nutrients in forest ecosystems

2. Apply the model tools to long-term monitored forest catchments in Czech Republic, Norway and Sweden

3. Apply tools for addressing future carbon in forested catchments – forests, soils, water

4. Produce predictive maps of sensitivity of forests soil carbon pools in the Czech Republic (year 2050) under different scenarios of the climate change (moderate and severe scenarios) and tree species composition

The project is focused on the preparation of key documents for the submission of an application for support of a strategic project for the Ústí nad Labem Region to the Operational Programme Just Transition Fund for the project SYNERGYS - systems for energy synergy. It includes in particular the preparation of a comprehensive feasibility study inclunding CBA and logical framework and other necessary documents required for successful submission of the application and meeting the conditions of the OPST - technical study of alternative solutions, legal analysis and provision of partial expert opinions and preparation of further recommendations and analyses of international and domestic experts.

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are fundamental to the EU industrial value chains and strategic sectors, particularly with regard to the green energy transition. This project is designed to develop socially and environmentally sustainable means of exploration for orthomagmatic CRMs.

We aim to contribute to the European Green Deal, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Horizon Europe objectives through the development of a Geological Service for Europe, which focuses on the planet itself: the earth beneath our feet. The subsurface holds indispensable resources for European industries and opportunities to decarbonise our economy, but also requires careful management to preserve a healthy and safe living environment for Europe’s citizens. Structurally addressing the EU dimension in geological services is needed because the scale of many societally and economically relevant geological features exceeds that of individual countries. Addressing transnational and continental-scale problems requires innovation, standardisation, harmonisation as well as a shared vision. We aim to build the Geological Service for Europe based on Europe’s best practices and implement the Service with the backing of the Union. Existing geological surveys, the national custodians of geological information, have amassed huge legacies of data and information that are difficult to merge. This project will continue the harmonisation and standardisation effort initiated in earlier projects. We aim to create joint services that can support acceleration of the energy and climate transitions, as well as a larger critical mass of intra-European cooperation through convergence of our research agendas, as key steps to increase the amount and quality of results we are aiming for. A common thread in this project is innovation in ways in which subsurface information is conceptualised, organised, visualised, delivered and translated to the needs of a wide range of audiences, and the methodologies to achieve this. Building on the groundwork laid in the GeoERA program, we will scale up and out, not only scientifically, but also in involving national l stakeholders in the network, in order to create support and eventually obtain a mandate for a European Service on a permanent basis.

Underground water in the crystalline project is focused on underground water generation within so called hydrogeological massifs, i.e. areas of the Czech Republic built predominantly from magmatic and metamorphic rocks. These areas are very prone to droughts. At the same time, these areas are very often infiltration areas of precipitation, which feed hydrogeological basins filled with sediments which represent the bulk of natural reserves of underground water.
This project is focused mainly on providing sources of drinking water for the populous. This means detecting structures suitable for drilling of exploration hydrogeological wells, which have the potential to be converted into sources of drinking water. At the same time, this project has an overlap to ecosystems, because one of the outputs is a hydrogeological map of surface water / underground water transition potential, which can be used for example in urban development planning.
Three hydrogeological districts are explored within the project: 6320 Crystalline of the middle Vltava river basin, 6531 Kutná Hora crystalline and Jihlava river basin crystalline. Areas with high potential of underground water production were selected within these districts. Detailed geological mapping was performed within these selected areas as the basis for detailed hydrogeological maps. All sites are explored using geophysical methods and their hydrological regime is being monitored via extensive net of flow rate measurements. Based on this comprehensive work, several sites for potential drilling of hydrogeological wells are being selected.
One of the outputs of the project is updated methodology of balancing hydrogeological districts within crystalline units. The overall area of hydrogeological districts which will be covered by hydrogeological maps is 2390,2 km2. The project is financed since the year 2023 by the European union in connection with the Ministry of the environment of the Czech Republic as a part of the programme of the State environmental fund of the Czech Republic
CZ.05.01.03/07/22_006/0000270

1) Closer cooperation between CGS, UK and GBA and Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna in the field of research and processing of geological and palaeontological collections and related topics. 2) Systematic description and identification of Lower Palaeozoic fossil material of Czech origin deposited in the collections of the GBA and Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, especially the duplicates of J. Barrande, M. Dusl, type and original and type specimens of M. Semper, F. Seeman, A. Frič, J.F. Pompeckj and V. Želízko, type specimens related to the so-called first Austro-Hungarian mapping (Lipold, Krejčí) and unique material of J. J. Jahn (1896) from the Semtín breccia.3) This material, stored in the collections of the GBA and the Naturhistorisches Museum, will be re-evaluated using modern palaeontological and museological methods. 4) The knowledge gained from the study and processing of this material will form the basis of peer-reviewed and impacted journal publications. 5) Exchange of information on the historical context of the acquisition of Czech material by Viennese scientific institutions in the 19th and early 20th centuries, significant additions, refinements and corrections to the museological data accompanying the deposited material.

Our plan is to focus on high-latitude polar ecosystems, which are generally the first and the most dramatically affected by climate change. In Ordovician times, north-western Africa, which was then part of the supercontinent Gondwana (including also South America, India, Australia and Antarctica), was located at the South Pole. We plan to investigate benthic faunas from the Mediterranean Province, a high-latitude (70-85°S) faunal realm extending along the south-western Gondwanan margin and including part of modern North Africa (e.g. Algeria, Morocco) as well as most of south-western and central Europe (e.g. Czech Republic, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain). Our objective is to investigate changes in the palaeoecology (in particular substrate affinities) and palaeobiogeographic distribution of two major groups of marine benthic invertebrates during the Ordovician: the bivalves and the echinoderms. In Ordovician times, bivalves and several clades of echinoderms (e.g. eocrinoids, solutans, stylophorans) display relatively comparable palaeobiogeographic patterns, possibly driven by climate change and/or similar substrate affinities. Our study will be based on material from the Mediterranean Province, and primarily from the Czech Republic (Prague Basin), France (Armorican Massif, Corbi

COREu project will demonstrate key enabling technologies in a CCS value chain and support the development of new routes in Central-Eastern Europe. The project will provide the means for development of an open access trans-national network to connect emitters with storage sites in Europe by identifying multimodal transport requirements and developing emitters clusters to create the demand and the investment rationale. Project will also increase the knowledge of the CCS value chain through interconnected initiatives, sharing of experience, knowledge and data. All aspects of the CCS deployment will be encompassed including technological know-how, business models, monitoring and reporting, consensus management and transport and storage safety. CGS will primarily be involved in the geological and geochemical analyses of potential storage sites in the Czech Republic and consensus management of the planned solution.

The MINEYE (Earth Observation techniques for MINe lifE cYclE monitoring using ML-based data fusion approaches) consortium consists of 13 partners from nine European countries and aims to strengthen EU autonomy in primary and secondary raw materials, at the same time as reducing environmental impact. This is done by development of innovative cost-effective, time-efficient and competitive Earth Observation (EO) based methodologies and technologies for the entire mining value chain. MINEYE will integrate EO data with other data sources such as EuroGeoSource, ProMine, EGDI and will collect new EO, remote sensing, geophysical and in-situ data. MINEYE aims at developing novel data fusion and processing algorithms for EO technologies for the mineral exploration, operational, closure and post-closure stages. MINEYE unlocks the potential of EO data, including Copernicus, commercial satellites, upcoming hyperspectral missions, airborne as well as in situ data. This is achieved by creating generic innovative machine learning algorithms tailored to solve specific needs within the mining value chain. MINEYE’s overall objective and ambition is to increase the access to critical and strategic minerals and metals in Europe with full consideration of environmental and social aspects, by providing the mining industry with proven and validated solutions for uptake of EO data and technology. MINEYE's final product is a web-interface, IPOP (Interfacing, Programming and Optimisation Platform) for providing data and result. IPOP has three outputs each covering a specific part of the mining value chain: (1) methods for Mineral Prospectivity Mapping (2) EO plugin for LiquidEarth software for 3D modelling, (3) evaluation and maps of re-mining potential and tailings characterization. In addition, ground stability assessment and environmental monitoring are included to support the development of a socially responsible mining. IPOP further serves as a multi-criteria decision-making tool.

Project 'Czech-Austrian cooperation in research of critical and strategic mineral resources in the southern part of the Bohemian massif.' is based on the exchange of expert experience with the Austrian Geological Survey Geosphere Austria in the field of critical and strategic minerals, their international classification and specification of their potential in the cross-border area of Moldanubicum in the southern part of the Bohemian Massif. The most important objectives of the project are a harmonised raw material map, an information publication and guidelines on the UNFC classification methodology for selected critical raw material resources. An important output will be the outline of a joint research programme supported by third party funding. The preparation of the outputs is based on face-to-face meetings of experts at 4 project workshops with excursions.

EnVision is a Venus orbiter mission that will determine the nature and current state of Venus' geological evolution and its relationship with the atmosphere to understand how and why Venus and Earth evolved so differently. EnVision will deliver new insights into geological history through complementary imagery, polarimetry, radiometry, and spectroscopy of the surface coupled with subsurface sounding and gravity mapping. The probe will search for thermal, morphological, and gaseous signs of volcanic and other geological activity; and it will trace the fate of key volatile species from their sources and sinks at the surface through the clouds up to the mesosphere.

The technical-science and development role of the Czech Republic will also involve composition of data sets for testing the electronic components during their development, mainly focusing on data quality, size and flow, and the preparation of these datasets by means of software tools. Recording of the experimental spectra and generating excessive simulated spectral libraries will enable rigorous testing (including calibration/validation) and further assessment of effectivity of the built electronic set up in corresponding spectral range and resolution for data processing of spectra recorded by VenSpec-H channels. We will supply all these data to the consortium and provide feedback for electronic manufacturers. Our results will be used further as reference for the data acquired by the probe once operational on the Venusian orbit.

The main objective of the project (2019-2023) is to eliminate the degradation of agricultural land and its restoration, as well as to promote the diversity of nature according to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The achievement of these objectives is based on the generation of comprehensive information that will lead to the production of a set of geoscientific maps and detailed spatial/landscape plans in key areas of southern Ethiopia (Sidama region, Gedeo zone and Gamo zone of SNNPR). These outputs will enable the analysis of adverse geological phenomena (e.g. volcanic eruptions and seismic tremors, landslides and rockfalls, earth fissures, etc.) and will also contribute to the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources (groundwater, soil and minerals). The project also aims to develop the professional capacities of a wide range of experts in geoscientific mapping, pedology and the preparation of land use/landscape plans. In 2020, field geological, pedological and hydrogeological mapping of the Sidama and Gedeo area was completed and mapping outputs are currently being produced.

The main objective of the project (2020-2023) is to compile a national geological and hydrogeological map of Ethiopia at a scale of 1:1,000,000. These map outputs will help in addressing the acute increase in demand for potable water supply and for other practical purposes in various industrial sectors and building national infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. In addition, the capacity of professionals and government officials in the practical use of geoscience information will be enhanced. Furthermore, an interactive online mapping system will be developed so that the map outputs are freely accessible to all those interested in the use of geoscience data. The focus of activities in 2020 was the creation of a new topographic basis for the processing of map outputs, reinterpretation of geophysical and remote sensing data, creation of a new geological legend, regional geological zoning and stratigraphy.

PanAfGeo, an EU co-funded initiative that began in 2016, contributed to the transfer of knowledge between European and African Geological Surveys. PanAfGeo also ensured the institutional strengthening of many African national administrations in charge of geology and mining.
Starting from the project’s past achievements, the phase two of the project will build on a consortium of 11 European Geological Surveys, including the the umbrella organization of the Geological Surveys of Europe, EuroGeoSurveys, and will be lead by BRGM, the Geological Survey of France.
PanAfGeo-2 will aim at developing a set of knowledge and best practices exchange programmes for African geoscientists to acquire the state-of-the-art tools and learn new methods and skills in several geoscientific competences.

The project intents to contribute to developing sustainable management and access to
geological data and knowledge of two geological surveys in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in
line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Project aims are to
support the public institutions in improving the geological information system, to
increase professional competence of local experts and governmental staff and to
improve data management, access, presentation and dissemination of data and
information.

The main intent of the project is to fulfil the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” defined by United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The main project goals are: To characterize, improve, develop and protect groundwater resources in the Sidama Region and the Gamo and Gofa zones of the SNNP Region using novel geostatistical and artificial intelligence methods. To integrate the knowledge and collected hydrogeological and geological data from previous individual projects into a comprehensive system for the use in further socio-economic development in Ethiopia.The comprehensive 3D geological and hydrogeological models including calculation of groundwater reserves through quantitative evaluation will be carried out. These models will be processed based on a wide range of geological and hydrogeological data that have been obtained by the past and present development intervention projects of the Czech Geological Survey (including 3D geological modelling) and the new methodological approach being developed by researchers at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (USA) with co-partners. The models will combine pertinent hydrological factors to create an optimum utilization scheme of groundwater resources in an area by employing artificial intelligence. Based on the results of the hydrogeological and geological modelling, three sites will be selected for drilling of shallow groundwater wells in collaboration with the regional offices (the Sidama Region and the Gamo and Gofa zones of the SNNP Region). The project will be implemented through the long-standing cooperation of the promoting institutes, the Czech Geological Survey (CGS), Charles University and SG Geotechnika a.s., together with partner institutes from abroad, including the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (CRSC) of George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA and Global MapAid, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. Local institutes from Ethiopia include the Arba Minch University, Water Technology Institute and the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia.

PanAfGeo+ training sessions for geoscientific mapping (WP1) cover the entire process of compiling geological maps that can aid decision making and policy formation in areas such as civil works, energy, mineral resources, environmental protection, preparatory and interpretation phase. They focus on projecting, mapping tools, and remote sensing principles, field training in geological mapping methods, mapping ,ethodology and individual field mapping of polygons in small groups under guidance of experts, and finaly field data loading, processing, interpretation, complemented by geological cross section construction, legend and map creation. Training sessions serve mainly for the state sector geoscientif

PanAfGeo+ training sessions for geoscientific mapping (WP1) cover the entire process of compiling geological maps that can aid decision making and policy formation in areas such as civil works, energy, mineral resources, environmental protection, preparatory and interpretation phase. They focus on projecting, mapping tools, and remote sensing principles, field training in geological mapping methods, mapping ,ethodology and individual field mapping of polygons in small groups under guidance of experts, and finaly field data loading, processing, interpretation, complemented by geological cross section construction, legend and map creation. Training sessions serve mainly for the state sector geoscientif