| Year of enrollment: | 2020 |
| Room: | G-425 |
| Phone: | – |
| e-mail: | mohamed7@uniba.sk |
| Publications | list of publications |
Main scientific interests: magmatic petrology, xenoliths, geothermobarometry
PhD. Topic
Bentonites of the Jastrabá Formation
Main Objectives:
• To describe and compare the physical and chemical properties of the Bartošová Lehôtka and Michaľany-Lastovce bentonite deposits and compare them with other deposits (from Jastrabá Fm.) as well as with the world bentonite deposits (e.g., US, Greek, and Czech bentonites).
• To study the compositional variations of bentonites qualitatively and quantitatively.
• To study and explain the possibility of using these bentonites.
• To estimate the smectite content of these deposits using the near-infrared technique (NIR) and compare the results from different other techniques.
• To study the genesis of bentonite deposits, mainly based on their geological position and geochemical study, including the O and H isotopes study of smectites.
Current projects
• APVV-20-0175 – member of the research team (2021 – 2025, principal investigator P. Uhlík) – Bentonite: Slovak strategic raw material – Innovative assessment of bentonite quality and origin for its efficient use.
• VEGA 1/0306/23 – member of the research team (2023 – 2026, principal investigator Marek Osacký) – Influence of individual properties of oil sands (mineralogy, chemistry and surface properties) on the anhydrous extraction of bitumen.
Former studies
• 2019 – MSc. in Geology (Ataturk University, Turkey)
Topic of the thesis: “The geological characteristics and gold mineralization potentiality of the central part of the Nubian Desert (North Sudan)“
• 2011 – BSc. Honour in Geology of Mineral Wealth (Al Neelain University, Sudan)
Topic of the thesis: “Geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and gold mineralization potentiality of Al-Biteira area – Eastern Nuba Mountains – Kordufan – Sudan“
Grants and awards
- Excellent Grant of Comenius University- Bratislava (GUKE-2024) – UK/3062/2024– principal investigator, titled: Hydration and Dehydration Properties of Western Carpathians Smectites.
This project aims to analyze a series of natural bentonite samples from Slovakia, for example from bentonite deposits: Kopernica, Lastovce, Lutila I, and Bartošova Lehôtka II. The samples will be compared to international smectite standards to evaluate their chemical composition, layer charge value, and water organization and binding differences. The study will assess the smectitic samples’ mineralogical and chemical composition, cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (SSA), hydration, dehydration, rehydration, and dehydroxylation. The project outputs are expected to be useful for various academic and industrial disciplines. The achieved results will provide structural details and thermal behavior of smectites that can be used for structure modeling, phase identification, quantification, and application of the Slovak bentonites.
- The Clay Minerals Society (CMS) Student Research Grant 2024, principal investigator – titled: Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Quantify Smectite in Bentonite.
This project aims to provide valuable information on the precision and limitations of this method. NIR spectroscopy is ideal for bentonite exploration and processing due to its rapidness, cost-effectiveness, and non-destructive nature. Furthermore, the results of this technique will be a valuable addition to the clay science and industry for quickly and accurately quantifying the percentage of smectite in bentonite.
- The Clay Minerals Society (CMS) Student Travel Award 2024, to attend the 61st Clay Minerals Society Meeting at Hawaii – USA.