Darko Spahić

• Dr.rer.nat.
• Senior Research Associate at University of Belgrade - Institute for Multidisciplinary Research

The post-Neotethyan, oblique subduction-driven narrowing between the tapering northeastern Adria margin and the European promontory (Tisza-, Serbo-Macedonian Unit) culminated during the Late Cretaceous. A developing Conacian - Santonian narrowing corridor including the Campanian bimodal magmatism of limited volume is restricted and aligned with the...

The tectono-paleogeograhic inheritance of barely documented Paleotethyan influence on the Southern Carpathian-Balkan belt is herein reappraised to highlight complex processes occurring along an alternative branched configuration of Triassic fossil subduction zone interfaces. The absence of Paleotethyan oceanic accretionary complexes, and the unavai...

The study provides a deeper understanding of the early Mesozoic paleogeogeographic spatial-temporal relationship by studying the two Adria-Europe intervening basement blocks. The Drina-Ivanjica and Pelagonian crustal fragments play important role in the internal early Alpine oceanic constitution further controlling the late Jurassic emplacement of...

There is a major overlap of the two lithospheric-scale early Alpine (post-Variscan) extensional geodynamic drivers which contributed to the crustal thinning of the north Mediterranean margin/south European foreland/ Dinaride-Hellenide-Carpathian/Balkan/Rhodope continental amalgamation. A widespread late Permian-Triassic Alpine extension interacted...

The Dinaric Ophiolite Belt, an integral part of Inner Dinarides located in the Western Balkans, represents a significant piece of the Tethyan Mesozoic oceanic crust recording processes of subduction related metamorphism followed by exhumation. This study presents new microstructural data of the metamorphic sole from Zlatibor Ophiolite massif, locat...

The middle Miocene sediments, a key oil reservoir within the syn-rift structures of the Gulf of Suez, have received limited research attention despite their geological importance. To bridge this gap, we analyzed well cores and petrophysical data from the middle Miocene sandstone-shale sequence (Sidri Member) in the Belayim field, one of Egypt's maj...

Once coupled with global eustatic levels, bauxites, breccias, unconformities, and hiatuses are significant markers of compressional geodynamics. Most Balkan intra-Mesozoic bauxites, embedded within widespread Triassic carbonate parental sequences, are dominantly distributed in the tectonically exhumed broader Neotethyan realm (Dinarides s.l.). The...

As ancient depositional systems associated with active continental margins, turbidites may provide crucial information on orogenic evolution. This paper offers new stratigraphic and structural data on one of the late Alpine turbidite systems of the Late Cretaceous age (Guberevac-Babe-Ropočevo area; Serbia). The two opposite yet juxtaposed tectonic...

Our novel research on Mn content as markers of transgressive events/eustatic changes in marine carbonate environments not only provides a fresh perspective on the development of the Tethyan Ocean and its branches, "Alpine Tethys", as a key area of study in our field, but also offers practical applications. Namely, Mn deposits, often formed in deep...

Early Neogene saline lakes were widely developed across Central Paratethys, particularly across its „Dinaride-Anatolide landbridge" (area of Dinarides, Balkans). The constraints on Lopare (western part of Jadar block; eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Toplica (Jastrebac Mt., central Serbia) Neogene paleolakes provide a better understanding of dee...

Ordovician geodynamics along the northern Gondwana margin, defined in most parts of exotic southern peri-Gondwanan Europe, had a far-field effect on the subsiding Gondwanan interior. The outboard peripheral Cenerian Orogeny influenced the ongoing subsidence and deposition of monotonous clastic Cambrian – Lower Ordovician mega-sequence unconformably...

The outcrop and microscale structural constraints on metamorphosed fragments of Carpathian-Balkan exotic north Gondwanan continental crust show sequential recurrent peripheral subduction processes which produced a series of collisional orogens: (i) Variscan suturing of ‘Median Dacides’ (western Danubian/Moesian realm), and (ii) post-dating polystag...

This composite study presents detailed instructions on the applicability of the results of a sequential extraction method (SE), coupled with statistical analyses, a Secondary Phase Enrichment Factor (Kspef), risk assessment indices, and, for the first time, the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA). The study gives important data on the current risk o...

This study employed 1D numerical pseudo models to examine the Upper Jurassic carbonate succession, focusing on the Mikulov Formation in the Vienna Basin region. It addresses the protracted and complex history of the Jurassic source rock play, revealing a transition from rapid syn-rift (>200 m/Ma) to slower post-rift sedimentation/subsidence of the...

The Jurassic–Cretaceous East Vardar Zone (EVZ) is a NNW–SSE-directed NeoTethyan back-arc crustal amalgamation that passes through Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece. This somewhat elongated Jurassic back-arc ocean underwent early compression, “docking” and nappe-stacking in the latest Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous. The Tithonian(...

The Dinarides and Carpathian-Balkans, the western Balkan Peninsula, form an essential link between the Paleotethyan branches of the Adriatic Sea (Montenegro, Croatia) and that related to a multistrand Paleo- and Neotethys Vardar oceanic margin (Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece). These post-Variscan paleo-margins have not been profoundly correlat...

A multidisciplinary approach allowed the reconstruction of the shallow, highly complex Neogene lacustrine-type sedimentological interplay between the peri-Pannonian (sub)basin subsidence and its seafloor topography. The current study further discusses the mechanism of localized uplift and subsidence by analyzing depositional cycles of middle Miocen...

Upper crustal faults and fractures control a natural thermal and non-thermal fluid circulation in the Lece andesite complex (LAC) (southern Serbia, Vardar Zone). By exhibiting differential conduit-barrier behavior, regional faults, and associated tensional fractures are key elements to this effective natural geothermal system. The combination of f...

Five celestine crystals were sampled from the (palaeo)surface intervening between the late Miocene to Pleistocene basaltic sequences of the Jabal Eghei (Nuqay) volcanic province in southern Libya and then characterised by applying a combination of the SEM–WDS, ICP/OES, PXRD and IR methods. Colour variations and related minerogenetic frameworks were...

The study of aquifers of the Lece andesite complex (LAC) and its surroundings yielded a new procedural stepwise analysis that allowed the assessment of the origin of elements, particularly in areas affected by both anthropogenic and natural influences. The methodology uses the mineralogical composition of the rocks, including the elements available...

Recently on-land ophiolites as unconventional reservoirs and hyperalkaline groundwaters have come out as a viable solution for natural atmospheric CO2 uptake/storage. However, the possibility of employing ophiolites and rare hyperalkaline waters as means or repositories of the anthropogenic CO2 has not been studied and no case study for Serbia has...

A composite hydrogeothermal survey of the magmatic-metamorphic post-NeoTethyan late Paleogene - Neogene crustal core-complex of the Kopaonik Mt., southwestern Serbian highlands, provides new constraints on the subsurface hydraulic across- and along-fault flow fluid regimes and geothermal anomalies associated with the two shallow reservoirs. The stu...

In this paper, we provide the observations of a group of toxic elements Cu, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Sb, and Mo, in the soils that are sampled at the distances of 1 m and 5 m (two layers) from the road (Highway 75, north section). The observation of toxic elements is indicating a level of existing contamination, availability, and ecological risk....

An extremely rare carbonate breccia in the Ropočevo area (southern outskirts of Belgrade, near Avala Mt., Central Serbia), provides a clue on the probable mechanism of both its paleokarstification and a tectonic relationship with lithospheric-scale compressional events which have occurred along the latest Jurassic Neotethyan Vardar Ocean margin. O...

With the objective to quantify the Neogene extensional geodynamic drivers of the Peri Pannonian Realm s.l., a series of 1D basin models were carried out by integrating the available geological and geochemical data extracted from the landlocked Toplica Basin (central-southern Serbia; Serbo-Macedonian Unit). The modeling was conducted on four wells l...

Regional tectonic synthesis suggests that a segment of the bipartite eastern Gondwana-type Carpathian-Balkan nappe-stacked Kučaj/Getic/Supragetic basement (eastern Serbia) experienced Cambro-Ordovician Cenerian (Sardic) accretionary-type deformation. The Ordovician basement of the Alpine Getic/Kučaj nappe exposes an earlier-mapped shallow-marine tr...

The National Park Đerdap (eastern Serbia, vicinity of the Danube River) occupies a segment of the Carpathian-Balkan fold-and-thrust belt and has a significant geoheritage potential, accounting for the impressive natural (geological) and cultural legacy. In addition to the extraordinary orogenic-type landscape or nappe-stacked mountainous configurat...

This paper presents one of the significant results of the research of Prof. Dr. Milodrag Andjelkovic. The study underlines the first field record providing the evidence of the Upper Cretaceous bimodal magmatism that evetually led towards the definition of the Late Cretaceous "Sava-Vardar Zone" in 2002 (Pamic, 2002). Now, the 20-years old "Sava-Vard...

The ongoing interest in the complex geology of the Dinaric orogen, in particular, its immediate, post-orogenic evolution (post-Lutetian), has produced a number of the tectonic solutions, proposing either extensional stage followed by the subsidence, extensional stage with immense lithospheric thinning resulting in the regional uplift, or even pure...

The Lece-Radan area of the Oligo-Miocene magmatic complex (former Tethyan active margin, southern Serbia) contains more or less altered volcanic and/or pyroclastic rocks of predominant andesitic, andesitic-dacitic, to dacitic composition. Alteration seen at exposures varies in type and intensity. Samples with documented alunitization were collected...

In the Balkans, the Serbo-Macedonian Unit (SMU), Serbia, is thrust bounded by the composite Tethyan Vardar Zone and the Carpatho-Balkanides. The SMU actually emerges from beneath the Neoalpine Miocene–Pliocene deposits. Both provenance and geodynamic position of the SMU are poorly known and still debated. This paper reviews the data hitherto publis...

Avala Mountain is accommodated 15 km southward from the city of Belgrade and extends over the area of about 10 km2. Avala Mountain is a cultural and historical heritage of Belgrade qualified by the Law on Environmental protection. The area is abundant with water springs that have been exploited by tourist facilities and local population. By analyzi...

The balancing exercise of the “single-ocean model” and reexa mination of Jurassic paleogeographic conditions and tectonic interaction allowed the reconstruction of the mosaic of independent microplate margins and sutured northwestern Tethyan realm (Vardar Ocean). The overprinted Mesozoic convergent margin referred to as the ‘Zvornik suture’ was of...

A recently recycled tectonic hypothesis in which the Serbo-Mace- donian Unit rifted off during Ladinian from the Dinarides is tested. The Triassic rifting, according to this concept, led to the opening and the formation of a northwestern branch of Neotethys (=Vardar Ocean). Similar concept explains the developments within the Inner Hellenide alloch...

The peculiar Jadar block has an intervening position separating the main Neotethyan West Vardar Zone (including ophiolites of late Jurassic age) and a passive margin lithospheric segment of the Apulia-Adria microplate referred to as the Drina-Ivanjica block. The review aimed to reassess the peri-Neotethyan paleogeography affecting the evolution of...

The study represents a summary of the hitherto tectonic concepts revolving around a peri-Gondwanan fragment referred to as the Serbo- Macedonian Unit. The Serbo-Macedonian Unit as a gneiss-dominated basement segment is positioned in the proximity of the Baltican craton (peri-Moesian realm). This area represents a repository of the transferred broad...

Composite monthly samples of airborne particles collected at the measuring station in Lazarevac (Kolubara basin, Serbia) during nine consecu - tive months were chemically characterized in this study. The concentrations of certain minor elements in the PM10 particles exceed a pallet of the elements that contain values higher than the maximum allowed...

here is little consensus in characterizing the effects of the migrated late Pan-African/Lower Paleozoic configuration (western Paleotethys and precursory Paleozoic oceans) and its Variscan, late Variscan, and Eo-Cimmerian involvement. Constrained by a limited choice of the geological, biostratigraphical, and paleogeographical constraints, the focus...

A composite paleogeographic and plate kinematic spatiotemporal reconstruction of the exhumed Neotethyan cross-lithospheric footwall amalgamation (Jastrebac dome) incorporates the two formerly underplating oceanic entities, West Vardar- and East Vardar Zone. These ophiolite-bearing agglomerations are unroofed within the accretionary Paleogene to Mio...

Paleozoic evolution of the Apulia/Adria microplate is less constrained relative to its Alpidic stage controlling the development of the Dinarides. Disputed Paleozoic paleogeography of the Apulia/Adria is a consequence of poorly constrained sedimentary (parametamorphic) formations and absence of acidic magmatism. Moreover, the Inner Dinarides (e.g.,...

This paper attempts to allocate a segment of the Paleozoic Ocean situated in what is now Southeastern Europe (SEE) into a regional geological and paleotectonic synthesis connecting the sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous records associated with the ocean’s cycle. The Supragetic basement (external section of the Carpatho-Balkan arch) represents a t...

This paper addresses a Drina-Ivanjica basement member, Drina Formation, characterized by controversial Neoproterozoic to Carboniferous age. The Drina Formation is also informally referred to as the “Lower Drina Formation” and the “Upper Drina Formation” including the Golija Formation as a conditional analog unit of the latter. A review of the biost...

This review deals with a highly complex set of dismembered peri-Gondwanan exotic polymetamorphic basement systems accommodated outside of the well-explored European Variscides, extending from the controversial Serbo-Macedonian hinterland up to the East Moesian Alpine foreland. The isotopic and limited detrital zircon ages are coupled with the litho...

A huge cluster of recent papers on displaced crustal masses is organized around “terranes” given only geographic names, rarely indicating a set of basic plate-tectonic parameters (block boundaries, plate-tectonic mechanisms, etc) proposing rather bewildering solutions even for local experts. Such proposals are not self-explanatory and descriptive s...

The deformation chronology of the margins of the south-eastern and north-western Eisenstadt–Sopron sub-basin, initially (i) the multiphase normal faulting convergence with the sediment stacking, tectonic inversion and eroded rock volumes were characterised and subsequently (ii) the effects of these processes on the local, spatially confined coal be...

The area of the Dinarides or Dinaric Alps (Western Balkans) can be characterized by a cluster of compressional thrusts displacing the Mesozoic and Neogene blocks with different slip rates and age of horizontal movements. Setting aside the structural complexity, the investigated area can be characterized by a proven petroleum system that is, however...

The studied area is located around a margin of the Nam Con Son Basin (NCSB) (Vietnam). A 2D seismicinterpretation data indicated two main structural domains that could influence the hydrocarbon distribu-tion – hanging wall and footwall of the possible large-scale reverse drag. In this study by using Cenozoicpetroleum systems modeling around a clust...

The territory of Bolshekhetskaya depression is located in the northeastern part of the West Siberian Mega Basin. Most of the studied area has a dense 2D seismic network, however, borehole data are clustered around the proven oilfields. The investigated area envelops over 20.000 Km2 with several very well-explored structure-related oil and gas giant...

Basin and petroleum system modeling is an indispensable tool to examine the dynamics of sedimentary basins and their associated fluids to evaluate if past conditions were suitable for generation of hydrocarbons to fill potential reservoirs and be preserved there. Thus, modeling helps to reduce petroleum exploration risk. Schlumberger’s advanced bas...

Oil and gas production from unconventional resources such as shales - usually described as ‘shale gas’ or ‘shale oil’ - has grown rapidly during the last decade and has now been recognized as a key energy resource originating from source rock intervals eventually belonging to a conventional petroleum system. The term ‘petroleum system’ is used in p...

The segmented growth of the Markgrafneusiedl normal fault in the late Miocene clastic sediments of the central Vienna Basin (Austria) was investigated by construction of a detailed three-dimensional (3D) structural model. Using high resolution 3D seismic data, the fault surface and marker horizons in the hanging wall and the footwall of the Markgra...

Petroleum potential of the Ukrainian and Romanian shelf has confirmed by the discovery of oil, gas and condensate fields. Moving towards the deeper part of the basin can result in an increase of exploratory drilling costs. In order to mitigate the geological risks, hydrocarbon exploration requires from an oil companies to carry out detailed studies...

Petroleum Systems Modeling is a widely used strategic tool to support the successful exploration for hydrocarbons. Complex numerical simulation methods utilize discretized reconstructions of a basin history to assess oil and gas generation, expulsion or retention, migration, accumulation and loss. Source rock maturition modeling is already possible...

Bolshekhetskaya depression is located in the northwestern part of the West Siberian Basin. Composite profile crossing main structures was chosen for testing basin modeling technology in PetroMod software. Input data for basin modeling were: structural interpretation (main horizons and faults), lithology, geochemical parameters of the expected sourc...

Initial petroleum systems modeling, which was originally developed to enable improved understanding and predictions of conventional petroleum resources, can be used for assessments in unconventional systems. The geologic framework and the processes are the same. As the controlling factors for shale gas or shale oil are the thermal histories and the...

Для подтверждения наличия ловушек в пределах харосоимской свиты были построены динамическая модель палеореконструкции данного участка и бассейновая модель. Динамическая модель палеореконструкции, основана на традиционных геологических данных, вместе с тем был использован метод конечных элементов для восстановления в каждой ячейке модели полей напря...

Introduction Arctic oil and gas have been E&P targets for several decades. However, the petroleum potential of this region is far from being fully understood. Assessments of undiscovered petroleum of the Arctic indicates that it holds asignificant amount of the world's undiscovered gas and oil (Gautier et al.,2009) and recent assessments also indic...

The majority of fossil fuels originate from sedimentary basins whose formation can be related directly or indirectly to plate tectonics. In addition to the sedimentary environment, quite rigorous conditions are necessary for the development and preservation of hydrocarbon resources. There are four main conditions which must be met for the developme...

Nowadays majority of successful oil and gas discoveries are a result of the sophisticated studies combined with the most recent exploration techniques applied on variety of depositional complexes. One of the proven methods that largely decrease uncertainties in hydrocarbon exploration is numerical petroleum system modeling. By using different petro...

Basin and petroleum system modeling is an indispensable tool used to examine the dynamics of sedimentary basins and their associated fluids, in order to evaluate if past conditions were suitable enough for the generation of hydrocarbons, which ultimately could have been preserved there. Basically, modeling helps to reduce hydrocarbon exploration ri...

В результате выполненного одномерного моделирования гипотеза о возможной генерации углеводородных газов майкопскими и среднемиоценовыми отложениями Азовского вала, не подтвердилась. Это обусловлено тем, что при современных температурах, количестве и качестве органического вещества генерация углеводородов находится на самой ранней стадии и настолько...

In a gravel pit at the eastern margin of the Eisenstadt-Sopron Basin, a satellite of Vienna Basin (Austria), Neogene sediments are exposed in the hanging wall of a major normal fault. The anticlinal structure and associated conjugated secondary normal faults were previously interpreted as a rollover anticline above a listric normal fault. The spati...

We present the results of the geoelectric tomography carried out in the quarry of St. Margarethen (Austria). The research target was to identify the middle Miocene sedimentary layers by their electric properties, which outcrop in the quarry. Since these layers have different resistivity, we chose 2D multielectrode geoelectric method for the survey....

Using an industrial 3D seismic dataset from the central part of the Vienna Basin (Austria), we investigate marker horizons in the hanging wall and footwall of a large-scale normal fault. The throw of individual horizons shows a remarkable variability, both along strike and along dip of the fault. Since fault drag is a direct function of the displac...

In a gravel pit (SE Vienna basin), metre-thick bedded successions of conglomerate and sand layers of Miocene age are exceptionally well exposed along a W-E-striking wall. The sediments are cut by numerous N-Sstriking, high-angle normal faults. The faults have a marked displacement gradient and offset marker layers of up to several metres. Using gro...

The composition of abandoned slag disposal is of the Fe-type with predominant minerals containing variable amount of iron; the minerals with high concentrations of S; and higher concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu and Sb elements. The temperature of the slag crystallization is estimated to about 1230 C-1240 C. The slag has been highly altered by long peri...

The area around the Lake Neudsiedlersee (Lake Ferto in Hungarian) was analysed to understand its neotectonic activity and gather possible explanations of the features of the topography and microtopography. The area consists of two, considerably different parts in terms of topography and geomorphology. The western and north-western shores of the lak...

In a gravel pit at the eastern margin of the Eisenstadt Basin, a subbasin of Vienna Basin (Austria), a set of normal faults crosscuts a Middle Miocene succession consisting of gravel layers, sandy gravels, fine-grained sands and silts with variable thicknesses between 1 and 4 m. These mainly friable sediments are cut by a numerous N-S striking high...

It was investigated the influence of the slag deposit as the potential contaminant to the surrounding environment, i.e., soil (as the surface member of the entire geological media), plants and water. Mineralogical compositions of soil samples are: quartz which dominates over class and feldspars, and with carbonates only in sample 2. Clays are illit...

Low-grade metamorphic rocks of the crystalline of Mts. Bukulja and Venčac, which are integral parts of the Vardar Zone, are of Late Cretaceous age. From the Middle Paleogene to the beginning of the Miocene, they were subjected to three phases of intensive deformations. In the first phase, during the Middle Paleogene, these rocks were subjected to i...

This paper presents the basic structural elements of the dome of Veliki Jastrebac, as well as the chronology and mechanisms of the deformational events responsible for its formation. It was determined that the dome of Veliki Jastrebac consists of two large sequences which are, in the vertical section, in the inverse position. The lower part is made...

Mountain Veliki Jastrebac is located in the southern part of Serbia. It strikes from Jošanica on the west up to the city of Aleksinac on the east. Jastrebac metamorphic complex has an extremely exciting and very complicated geological setting. Generally, terranes are composed of the following rocks: gneisses, migmatites, amphibolites, gabbros, gree...