Interconnection of the regional-tectonic geological research and the applied technological research: The case study from the Gemeric zone, the Inner Western Carpathians

The recent economic relations and the request of the European Union for the close interconnection of the scientific research with the practical applicability of obtained results initiate the changes in the methodical approach also in the geological activities. New regional geological projects should be supplemented with the technological and environmental researches much extensively than before. The presentation demonstrates some examples of such interdisciplinary geological, technological and environmental approach in Slovakia.
   The Western Carpathians were formed in two orogenic cycles – Paleozoic Variscan cycle and Mesozoic-Cenozoic Alpine cycle. The recent tectonic setting (the course of lithological units, the character of the ore veins, etc.) is strongly affected by the Alpine overprint and segmenting the former Variscan setting. Despite, the role of Variscan evolution is of the high importance for the metallogenic processes by the late Variscan early Alpine post-collision thermal processes.
   The Variscan exhumation and the south-vergent obduction of the former Lower Paleozoic oceanic crust (incomplete ophiolite suite) on the marginal sedimentary flyschoid and volcanosedimentary sequences is well demonstrated in the Gemeric Unit of the Inner Western Carpathians (deformation phase VD; pre-Stephanian age; the Rakovec suture zone). It consists of the south-vergent compression-collision phase VD1 (323-275 Ma) with the pressure metamorphic peak at 275 Ma and the pressure release at 275-262 Ma. The main extension and unroofing phase VD2 (262-216 Ma), located in the South-Gemeric zone led to the origin of the Meliata-Hallstatt oceanic domain. 
   During the Alpine tectonometamorphism the kinematic regime has changed from the transpression to the north-vergent compression-overthrust kinematics AD₁ (141-114 Ma) related to the closure of the Meliata-Hallstatt domain to post-collision unroofing kinematics in the phase AD₂ (107-82 Ma) and, finally, to the origin of conjugated shear zones trending NESW and NW-SE in AD₃ (75 Ma-recent).
   During both orogenic processes the high pressure rocks and ultramafics were exhumed, recently occurring along the Rakovec and Meliata suture zones. A newly developed technology for the use of ultramafics in CO₂ liquidation has confirmed the effectivity 3 : 1 of the process, i.e. 3 tons of ultramafics liquidate 1 ton of CO₂. Revealed methodology of mineral sequestration (carbonatization) produces carbonates nesquehonite and hydromagnesite, being stable and safe for the environment. Technological research recommends to use studied ultramafics is for obtaining of Co, Ni, SiO₂ (optical fibres), Fe concentrate, Mg(OH)₂ fillings, basic heat-resistant building materials, and those for shielding of radioactivity.
   The genesis of the magnesite and talc is a reflection of the complex, above described, Variscan and Alpine geodynamic processes. The magnesite has originated during Permoscythian post-collision (post-VD) and pre-AD₁ evolution. The talc is a product of Alpine tectonic overprint (shearing) and the fluid migration through the magnesite bodies in AD₁ and AD₂. The majority of occurrences of the magnesite and talc are located in the wider surrounding of the contact zone of Gemeric Unit with northern and underlying Veporic Unit. This magnesite is relatively rich in Fe₂O₃ (8-4 %), and the magnesite products (87.5-89 %) can reach the higher quality by the nitrate treatment (up to 99.5 % MgO). The main products of such treatment are Mg(OH)₂ and MgO. Technological research recommends using magnesite for the production of Mg and its compounds (brucite, periclase and MgCl₂). Another use of magnesite is in agriculture (the nitrogen fertilizer) and environmental protection (ecological sorbent). The industrial use of talc can benefit from improved methodology of flotation and milling. The flotation concentrates with the high fineness (50 % beneath 0.5 and 100 % beneath 3 micrometres) and brightness (above 90 %) are predestined as a high-quality filling into plastics, rubber, paper, paints and ceramics. The selectively exploited high-quality talc interbeds are used in cosmetics and pharmacy without necessity of flotation elaboration.