MSc. Samir Ustalić

PhD. Topic

Petrology and geodynamic evolution of the Ozren ophiolite complex in Bosnia and Herzegovina“

Ozren ophiolite complex is a part of the Central Dinaric Ophiolite Belt – CDOB, one of the six ophiolite complex in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it is the second-largest (about 300 km2). The geological settings of the Ozren ophiolite complex are very similar to other ophiolite complexes in the rest of the CDOB. Based on the previous research, this complex is composed of ultramafic rocks (lherzolite, harzburgite, verlite and products of their alteration – serpentinite), gabbro associated with peridotite (troctolite, olivine and normal gabbro), diabase, dolerite, listwanite and amphibolite. Amphibolite and its contacts with other rocks have been examined very little. Besides the mentioned rocks, a very small part of the research area is presented with felsic rocks (granite or plagiogranite). The Ozren ophiolite complex is also surrounded by different types of sedimentary rocks Jurassic-Cretaceous ages.
Previous research has been predominantly regionals character. It was used old instrumental techniques. These results can’t provide the modern definition of petrologic, geochemical and geotectonic characteristics of a certain complex. Therefore, it is necessary to perform new research.
The aims of the PhD thesis are: sampling and definition of all types of rocks in the Ozren ophiolite complex, their petrological and geochemical analyses (thin sections, chemical compositions of rocks, phase (mineral) compositions), classification and valorization of petrochemical parameters to define the geotectonic affinity of magma or lava, definition of the geochronological succession of different type of magmatism, definition a geotectonic and geodynamic interpretation of the Ozren ophiolite complex and correlation with analogous rocks from the close geotectonic environment. It is important to emphasize that this PhD thesis can serve as a basis for future research of the Ozren ophiolite complex (OOC) as a potential area in terms of the presence of different types of mineral resources.

Current projects

Univesity of Tuzla – Geochemical prospecting of gold in the alluvium of the Željeznica river, Bakovići (Fojnica) – member of the research team (principal investigator Babajić Elvir)

Former studies

2018 – 2019 – MSc. in Geology (University of Tuzla – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Topic of the thesis: “Geochemical distribution of potentially toxic elements in soil in the wider Maglaj area“
2014 – 2018 – BSc. in Geology (University of Tuzla – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Awards

• Student of the generation 2017/18 on the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, University of Tuzla
• Golden plaque (medal) of the University of Tuzla

Memberships

• European Geosciences Union – EGU
• European Association of Geochemistry – EAG
• Association of Geologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Member of the Organizing Committee of the 9th International Conference “Neogene of Central and South-Eastern Europe “

Publications

1. Nuhić M., Ustalić S., Babajić E. (2015): Gold ore in Bosnia and Herzegovina. IX Georeks (geotechnical) congress – conference proceedings. University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy – Sofia, 133–138.

2. Akmadžić H., Miličević M., Ustalić S., Jusić A., Đulabić D., Krasnić Š., Babajić E., Karadžin Z. (2016): Determination of the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the magnesite and magnesite bedrock deposit at Miljevica. Project publication – Youth scientific and research,  Tuzla, 126-136.

4. Akmadžić H., Ustalić S., Babajić A. (2017): Electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) application in petrology based on example of Majevica mafic extrusive rocks. X Georeks (geotechnical)  congress – conference proceedings. University of Tuzla, 133-141.

5. Ustalić S., Akmadžić H., Babajić E. (2017): Quartz sand of Tuzla basin as a mineral row  material – Bukinje deposit. X Georeks (geotechnical) congress – conference proceedings.  University of Tuzla, 6-15.

6. Vrabac S., Đulović I., Babajić E., Ustalić S., Mujanović A., Kamerić M. (2017): Freshwater and marine Miocene on the Čaklovići cross section in Tuzla basin. 13th Workshop on Alpine Geological Studies, Abstract volume, 107.

7. Babajić E., Babajić A., Stjepić-Srkalović Ž., Srkalović D., Ustalić S., Akmadžić H. (2017): Cr and Ni in soil of the wider Maglaj area-concentracion and genesis. Archives for Technical Sciences 17(1), 13-20; DOI: 10.7251/afts.2017.0917.013B

8. Ustalić, S., Babajić, E., Babajić, A., Stjepić-Srkalović, Ž., Srkalović, D.: Genesis and  geochemical distribution of Ba in soil of the Maglaj area. Second Congress of Bosnian Geologists with International Participation, Abstract vollume 2019, 62- 65.

Other Projects

• 23-30 May 2016 – Tuzla: Youth Scientific and Research Camp;
• Scientific project: “The concentration of heavy metals and total carbonates in the soil of the wider Maglaj area”;
• December 2017 – Android application “Minerals”;
• September 2021 – “Geochemical prospecting of gold in the alluvium of the Željeznica river, Bakovići (Fojnica)”

Conferences

10 – 13 July 2015 – Bulgaria (Sofia) : 9th Georeks (geotechnical) congress;

21 – 23 . October 2015 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (Tuzla): First Congress of Bosnian geologist with International Participation;

04 – 07 July 2016 – Italy (Trieste) – Advanced Training School on Sustainable Blue Growth in Mediterranean and Black Sea countries;

10 – 11 December 2016 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (Teslic) : Final Conference that was the part of “Youth Scientific and Research Camp”;

13 – 16 July 2017 – Bosnia and Herezgovina (Tuzla): 10th Georeks (geotechnical) congress;

7 – 18 September 2017 – Serbia (Zlatibor) : Emile Argand Conference – 13th Workshop on Alpine Geological Studies;

17 – 20 May 2018 – Serbia (Vrnjačka Banja):17th Serbian Geological Congress;

26 – 27 June 2018 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (Tuzla) : 8th ESEE Dialogue Conference;

02 – 04. October 2019 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (Laktaši): Second Congress of Bosnian geologist with International Participation;

24 November 2020 – ADRIA Innovation Day 2020 (Regional Center ADRIA, EIT RawMaterials)