Innovative 3D Modeling of Mineral Grains Reveals Geological Past

A research team led by Associate Professor Katarína Bónová from the Institute of Geography at the Faculty of Science, UPJŠ in Košice, employed an innovative approach to studying the shape of sedimentary rock grains to understand material transport in rivers. By combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microtomography methods, the surface of garnet mineral grains and the position of inclusions within the grains were meticulously documented. These imaging techniques enabled the creation of 3D models of the grain surfaces and their analysis. 3D surface analysis is applicable in various environments and has traditionally been addressed by researchers at our institute. The published results highlight the changes that occur during the transport of mineral grains in a riverine environment. These findings are significant not only for understanding current processes in rivers but also for exploring the geological past – they help reconstruct the environment that existed millions of years ago. Additionally, these methods can be useful in the search for mineral resources, as they can also be applied to studying older sediments. The study was published in the prestigious journal Sedimentary Geology .