Daniel Petráš

Originally trained as a geologist, my research with SoWa-RI focuses on biogeochemical processes leading to mineral authigenesis and early diagenetic alteration in water columns and  modern sediments and how does these processes can be extrapolated to understand chemical and isotopic signatures exceptionally preserved in ancient rocks.  I integrate results from high-resolution (chemo)petrography; aqueous, whole-rock/sediment geochemistry (isotopic, minor and trace metals, biomarkers) and in situ spectroscopy into diagenetic interpretations. I also have expertise in mineral equilibrium and surface complexation modelling for studying the link between metal reactive organic matrices and minerals.

Education

• 2018 Postdoc SoWa-RI, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
• 2016 PhD University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
• 2010 MSc University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
• 2006 BEng (Hons.) Geology, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

Research Interests

Teaching Interests

• Geobiology
• Geomicrobiology
• Microbial Geochemistry
• Sedimentology

Services

• Chemical analyses of water and sediments with regard to organic and inorganic pollutants and their interactions with the natural environment

Scientific activities

• Reviewer for: Chemical Geology; Sedimentology; Journal of Sedimentary Research; Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; Geobiology; Marine Geology; Lethaia; Geoscience MDPI; Minerals MDPI
• Professional affiliations: American Geophysical Union; Geochemical Society; International Association of Sedimentologists; Geobiology Society

Awards

• IAS PhD Research Grant Scheme, 2013
• AGU Fall Meeting 2013’ Student Travel Award (VGP Section AGU), 2013
• Goldschmidt Conference Student Travel Award. Geochemical Society, 2011
• MAC Student Travel Award, Mineralogical Association of Canada, 2011
• Gordin Kaplan Graduate Student Award. University of Alberta, 2010