Geological Survey of Slovenia

For sample preparation:

• Jaw crusher,
• disk mill, agate ball mill,
• pulveriser with rings,
• saws for cutting large samples and borehole cores,
• ultrasonic baths.

For particle size analysis, concentration / separation, melting samples:

• Sieves for particle size distribution analysis from 36 mm to 0,04 mm,
• laser particle sizer Fritsch (grain sizes from 0,5 to 0,0001 mm),
• centrifuges,
• heavy liquid separation,
• magnetic stirrers for dissolving samples.

For specimen preparation:

• Saws for cutting small samples,
• grinding and polishing machine,
• system Logitech for cutting, grinding and polishing samples for optic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

For testing:

• Polarizing microscopes Opton, Leitz and Zeiss (transmitted and reflected light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy) with a system for the production of microphotographs,
• scanning electron microscope (SEM, BSE, EDS),
• Zeiss binocular lense,
• equipment for complexometric chemical analyses.

Regional Geology

1. Production of geological maps
   • Basic Geological Map of the Republic of Slovenia M 1:50.000
   • Synoptic geological maps
   • Thematic geological maps (structure-tectonic, lithologic, maps of geothermal parameters and potentials, maps of geological hazard - "geohazard"...)
   • Geological maps for particular purposes (spatial planning, environmental protection, household and toxic waste management, management of natural resources ...)
2. Geological research
   • Stratigraphy (biostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy)
   • Structure-tectonic research
   • Seismic-tectonic research
   • Geothermal potential of single areas
   • Photogeologic research
   • Photogeology (analysis of air and satellite images)
   • Geological supervision in civil engineering
   • Geological supervision in drilling
3. Expert reports and consulting
   • Interdisciplinary geological research in support of national level infrastructural projects and land development
   • Engineering-geological response to the impacts of slope processes and related natural disasters
   • Groundwork for the conservation and presentation of geological heritage
4. Maintenance of databases and an archive
   • Geological field data
   • Geological maps

Laboratory

1. The laboratory of the Geological Survey of Slovenia performs sedimentological, petrological, mineralogical, palaeontological and geochemical testing and analysis.

Geological information Centre

• Establishment of geological spatial data infrastructure
• Development, support and maintenance of
  • Geological data bases at a national level,
  • Internet and desktop applications
  • GeoZS digital library
• INSPIRE directive:
  • Maintenance of data sets according to the INSPIRE data specification,
  • Maintenance of services,
• Interchange/dissemination of public data and metadata according to the EU standards,
• Keeping records of spatial data of the Geological Survey of Slovenia – catalogue of geological data,
• Following the EU activities related to INSPIRE, WFD, WISE, GMES, DIMAS,
• Development of geological data standards,
• Implementation of digital spatial data control standards,
• Digital cartography:
• Development and maintenance of the GeoZS internet site
• Research in the fields of GIS, spatial modelling, remote sensing and geohazard,
• Cooperation with other national and international organisations.

Hidrogeology

Hydrogeology studies groundwater, its characteristics and flow dynamics, relations with the surrounding geological structures and its connectivity with surface waters into the natural cycle of water.

In Slovenia, the majority of drinking water comes from groundwater resources. Groundwater is used also for irrigation, industrial water, heating and cooling with heat pumps. Thermal water is used for recreation, healing and heating. Mineral water is used as bottled water.

Groundwater is part of the world water cycle. Groundwater in Slovenia predominantly originates in precipitation and meteor waters, which infiltrate into the ground, flow through rock fissures and sediments and surfaces as a natural or artificial (boreholes and wells) spring.

Geothermal energy

• Groundwater research
  • Elaboration of hydrogeological expert bases for the location and construction of wells,
  • Setting up research wells, monitoring of geological and hydrogeological changes during drilling,
  • Implementation of pumping and injection tests,
  • Logging measurements in boreholes (Robertson Geologging equipment with 1000 m long cable,,
  • Hydrogeochemical research (origin, quality and retention time of groundwater, gases in water),
  • Determination of water usability (suitability for different categories of use),
  • Report of these studies with hydrogeological and geothermal interpretation.

• Acquisition of a water permit for using open-loop geothermal heat pumps
  • Elaboration of hydrogeological reports to obtain a water permit.

• Obtaining a concession for using thermal water or geothermal energy source:
  • Elaboration of hydrogeological report for the concession permit,
  • Designing a monitoring plan of geothermal wells,
  • Establishment and implementation of operational monitoring of geothermal wells (abstracted quantity, groundwater level, temperature and electrical conductivity of water),
  • Elaboration of annual monitoring reports on the state of wells and aquifers.

• Expert studies, expertise, opinions
  • Determining potential for the exploitation of thermal, thermomineral and natural mineral water
  • Comparative analysis of the efficiency of thermal water use (benchmarking analysis)
  • 2D and 3D numerical modeling of groundwater flow and heat transfer for the designing of wells and optimization of exploitation
  • Definition of water protection areas
  • Assessment of technical and hydraulic conditions of wells.

Geohazard

The Geological Survey of Slovenia produces landslide hazard maps for municipalities and other areas of interest and participates in the development of information systems for warning about geological hazards. Furthermore, the experts of the Geological Survey of Slovenia prepare expert reports on geological setting and soil stability, which serve as expert groundwork in land development planning.

Mineral resources

Staff of our research department Mineral Resources and Environmental Geochemistry performs fundamental and applied geological research in the following fields:

• Geological exploration and evaluation of mineral deposits (dimension stone, gravel and sand, clays, etc.) end energy raw materials (coal, hydrocarbons)
• In a role of Mining Public Service we support the Ministry responsible for mining in the areas of mineral policy, sustainable mineral resource management and spatial planning at a national level
• We are intensely involved in numerous EU projects dealing with mineral resources
• Expert groundwork for sustainable management of mineral resources and spatial planning
• Project documentation (expert reports on reserves, mining research projects, etc.)
• Development and maintenance of databases and maps concerning our field of work
• Scientific and expert publications at home as well as abroad (articles, books, etc.)

Environmental geochemistry

• Soil pollution assessment in smaller areas for a purpose of land sale, building, changes of land function, etc.
• Reports on environmental impacts (soil and vegetation)
• Inventory of abandoned mines and mining wastes in Slovenia
• Co-operation in the production of maps of geohazard
• Co-operation in structure – geological mapping for highway construction programme in Slovenia
• Co-operation in deep geothermal borehole siting