Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3101
E-mail:
www http://www.chgf.vu.lt
Dean – Prof. Dr Aldona Beganskienė

 

 

 INSTITUTES OF THE FACULTY

• Institute of Chemistry
• Institute of Geosciences
  
  

INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 233 0987, 219 3100, 219 3101, 219 3102, 219 3105
E-mail:
www http://www.chgf.vu.lt
Director – Prof. Dr Habil. Aivaras Kareiva

STAFF

123 teachers (incl. 114 holding research degree), 19 research fellows (incl. 12 holding research degree), 71 doctoral students.

DEPARTMENTS OF THE INSTITUTE

Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
Department of Applied Chemistry
Department of Inorganic Chemistry
Department of Organic Chemistry
Department of Physical Chemistry
Department of Polymer Chemistry

RESEARCH AREAS

Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Materials and Nanostructures, Development of Analysis Methods

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2020

A. Smalenskaitė. Layered double hydroxides: synthesis, characterization, modification and lanthanide ions substitution effects on luminescent properties.
L. Glumbokaitė. Poli(pirol-2-karboksirūgšties) sintezė ir taikymas gliukozės biologiniuose jutikliuose. Synthesis and application of polypyrrole-2-carboxylic acid in glucose biosensors.
J. Raudonienė. Synthesis and characterization of new functional materials with different surface texture.
D. Sokol. Investigation of cation and anion substitution effects on the formation and properties of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides.
M. Janulevičius. Engineering of lanthanide orthophosphate functional nanomaterials.
J. J. Petronienė. Scanning electrochemical microscopy for human myocardium-derived mesenchymal stem cells investigation.
G. Gaidamavičienė. Synthesis and characterization of multicomponent oxide materials prepared by an aqueous sol-gel method.
I. Mikalauskaitė. Tuning optical properties of lanthanide doped upconverting materials.
T. Sabirovas. Phospholipid bilayer formation on metal-metal oxide surface.
P. Genys. Application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the investigation of electrodes modified by electro-catalytically active layers.
P. Ušinskas. Target design of calcium hydroxyapatite thin films.
L. Sinkevičius. Investigation of polypyrrole layer formation peculiarities and formation of uric acid molecular imprints.
M. Jonušis. Cyclization of functionally substituted 1,3-diarylalkynones to isoxazoles, chromones and 2,3,5-trisubstitutedthiophenes.
T. Murauskas. Transparent and conductive La-doped barium stannate for optoelectronic applications: thin film chemical vapor deposition.
D. Juknelevičius. Illuminating pyrotechnic compositions and their specific features.
M. Steponavičiūtė. Synthesis and study of catechol brush copolymers.
A. Zolumskis. Development and validation of chromatography methods for targeted applications.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2020

International conference Nanostructured Bioceramic Materials, Vilnius, Lithuania.
22nd international conference-school Advanced Materials and Technologies 2020, Palanga, Lithuania.

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2020

Prof. Aivaras Kareiva - Vilnius University Rector’s Science Award.
Assoc. Prof. Ramūnas Skaudžius - Vilnius University Rector’s Science Award (Young Scientists).

 

DEPARTMENT OF ANALYTICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3117, 219 3114
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Stasys Tautkus

STAFF

Professors: Dr A. Katelnikovas, Dr Habil. A. Padarauskas, Dr A. Ramanavičienė, Dr S. Tautkus, DrV. Vičkačkaitė.
Associate professors: Dr A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė, Dr V. Olšauskaitė, Dr Ieva Plikusienė (post-doc researcher), Dr E. Naujalis (part-time).
Assistants: Dr A. Popov (part-time), Dr V. Poškus (part-time), Dr A. Žarkov.
Researcher: Dr A. Popov (part-time).
Doctoral students: B. Brasiūnas, B. Bugelytė, J. Grigorjevaitė, V. Kavaliauskas, L. Sakalauskienė, L. Sinušaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Inorganic, solid state, materials and analytical chemistry
Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for organic analysis
Novel extraction techniques for chromatographic analysis
Development of biosensors and immunosensors
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Determination of trace elements using atomic absorption spectrometric, atomic emission spectrometric and spectrophotometric methods
Wet chemical synthesis of calcium phosphates, sol-gel synthesis and characterization of multicomponent metal oxide systems
Photochemical synthesis of metal oxide particles
Up-conversion phosphors for bio-imaging
Rare earth and transition metal doped phosphors
Hydrothermal synthesis of luminescent nanoparticles
Perovskite nanoparticles for solar cells

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Investigation of Organic and Bioorganic Compounds. Prof. A. Padarauskas, Assoc. Prof. V. Olšauskaitė.

Pre-sowing treatment of red clover seeds with cold plasma (CP) and electromagnetic field (EMF) was applied aiming to estimate treatment effects on plant growth, biomass production, nutritional value and the amounts of major leaf secondary metabolites. Protein yield per plant increased substantially (up to 70%). Pre-sowing seed treatment with CP and EMF had an obvious impact on the amounts of major isoflavones in leaves, and the nature of these changes strongly depended on the vegetation stage of plants (before flowering or at flowering stage).

Main publication:

Mildažienė, V., Paužaitė, G., Naučienė, Z., Žūkienė,, R., Malakauskienė A., Norkevičienė, E., Šlepetienė, A., Stukonis, V., Olšauskaitė, V., Padarauskas, A., Filatova, I., Lyuskevich, V. Effect of seed treatment with cold plasma and electromagnetic field on red clover germination, growth and content of major isoflavones. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics. 2020, 53: 264001.

Gas Chromatography. Prof. V. Vičkačkaitė.

Headspace gas chromatographic method for determination of hexanal was developed. Tetradecane was suggested for hexanal quantification in a fat-rich food, coconut oil - in edible oils. Under optimized conditions, quality parameters were determined. The techniques were applied for hexanal determination in fat-rich food and four edible oils. DMF and choline chloride-ethylene glycol were investigated for headspace gas chromatographic determination of residual solvents. DMF was found to be more suitable matrix medium and was applied for the determination of residual solvents in pharmaceuticals.

Main publications:

Vičkačkaitė, V., Pipiraitė, G., Poškus, V., Jurkutė, I., Bugelytė, B. Static headspace gas chromatographic determination of hexanal as a marker of lipid oxidation in fat-rich food. Chemija. 2020, 31(2): 95–100.

Vičkačkaitė, V., Pipiraitė, G., Poškus, V., Birutė Bugelytė. Coconut oil as a calibration matrix for headspace gas chromatographic determination of hexanal in edible oils. Chemija. 2020, 31(4): 255–261.

Vičkačkaitė, V., Jevtuch, A., Poškus, V., Bugelytė, B. Headspace gas chromatographic analysis of residual solvents in pharmaceuticals: comparison of two matrix media. Chemija. 2020, 31(4): 262–268.

Application of Nanomaterials in the Desing of Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors. Prof. A Ramanavičienė, Assoc. Prof. A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė.
Reagent-less amperometric glucose biosensor based on nanobiocomposite consisting of poly(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), poly(pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid), gold nanoparticles and glucose oxidase was developed. The biosensor was characterized by wide linear range (0.2–150.0 mM), relatively low detection limit (0.08 mM), good reproducibility (RSD 4.22%, 2.34% and 1.67%, respectively, for 5.0, 50.0 and 100.0 mM of glucose) and repeatability (RSD 6.93%, 2.23% and 1.17%, respectively, for 5.0, 50.0 and 100.0 mM of glucose), excellent stability (only 3.98% loss of its initial activity over 14 days, when stored at 4°C), high anti-interference ability to uric acid, acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid. This biosensor demonstrated good accuracy in the analysis of pharmaceutical preparations Orsalit Drink and Rehydron Optim and human serum.
Additionally, amperometric nonenzymatic glucose biosensor based on graphite rod electrode modified by Ni-nanoparticle/polypyrrole composite was constructed and tested. This biosensor was characterized by a wide linear glucose determination range between 1.0 and 1000 μM with a limit of detection of 0.4 μM and a sensitivity of 2873 μA/mM cm2. The applicability of amperometric nonenzymatic glucose sensor has been demonstrated by the determination of glucose concentrations in real samples.
An electrochemically synthesized porous anodic aluminium oxide layer has been analysed as possible substrate for the spectroscopic ellipsometry-based biosensors development. It was determined that human serum albumin can be successfully applied for the reduction of non-specific binding after the immobilization of biorecognition molecules on the porous anodic aluminium oxide layer.
A photoelectrochemical sensor for selective bisphenol determination using molecularly imprinted conducting polymer polypyrrole formed on the ZnO layer was developed. The sensitivity of the sensor to bisphenol is in the range of 0.7–12.5 μM. Selectivity tests to other bisphenolic compounds was performed.

Rare Rarth and Transition Metal Doped Phosphors. Prof. A Katelnikovas.

The year 2020 was dedicated to the synthesis and investigation of the novel phosphors doped with Cr³⁺, Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Er³⁺, Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ ions. The research has led to finding several high quality and efficient red phosphors suitable for application as colour converters in near UV based LEDs and luminescent security pigments. In total, nine articles were published in the framework of this project in 2020.

Main publications:

Janulevicius, M., Klimkevicius, V., Vanetsev, A., Plausinaitiene, V., Sakirzanovas, S., Katelnikovas, A. Controlled hydrothermal synthesis, morphological design and colloidal stability of GdPO₄·nH₂O particles. Materials Today Communications. 2020, 23: 100934. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.100934.

Ezerskyte, E., Grigorjevaite, J., Minderyte, A., Saitzek, S., Katelnikovas, A. Temperature-dependent luminescence of red-emitting Ba₂Y₅B₅O₁₇:Eu³⁺ phosphors with efficiencies close to unity for near-UV LEDs. Materials. 2020, 13: 763. DOI: 10.3390/ma13030763.

Klimkevicius, V., Janulevicius, M., Babiceva, A., Drabavicius, A., Katelnikovas, A. Effect of cationic brush-type copolymers on the colloidal stability of GdPO₄ particles with different morphologies in biological aqueous media. Langmuir. 2020, 36(26): 7533–7544.
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01130.

Synthesis, Characterization and Analysis of Functional Materials. Assist. A. Žarkov.
1. Synthesis and characterization of calcium phosphates for regenerative medicine purposes.
Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ co-substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) has been synthesized by wet co-precipitation method and comprehensively characterized by different methods.

Main publication:

Sinusaite, L., Popov, A., Antuzevics, A., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Yang, J.-C., Horng, J. L., Shi, S., Sekino, T., Ishikawa, K., Kareiva, A., Zarkov, A. Fe and Zn co-substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP): synthesis, structural, magnetic, mechanical and biological properties. Materials Science and Engineering C. 2020, 112: 110918.

2. Synthesis and characterization of multiferroic materials.
Solid solutions of (1-x)BaTiO3-xBiMnO3 have been synthesized and characterized.

Main publication:

Karoblis, D., Zarkov, A., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Niaura, G., Beganskiene, A., Kareiva, A. Sol-gel synthesis, structural, morphological and magnetic properties of BaTiO₃–BiMnO₃ solid solutions. Ceramics International. 2020, 46: 16459–16464.

National Research ProjectsResearch Council of Lithuania. Determination of Optimal Conditions for Nanoparticles Used in the Analysis Modification with Antibodies (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-16-0170). Prof. A. Ramanavičienė. 2019–2020.

The main aim of this study was to synthesise gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Au-MNPs) by reducing Au³⁺ with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), to determine their size and to select the optimal conditions for Au-MNP modification by antibodies, finding the lowest sufficient antibody concentration for the selective and sensitive detection of analyte. In this work sodium borohydride was used for the reduction of CTAB present on the surface of nanoparticles. Then different antibody concentrations and various methods (adsorption, covalent immobilization and others) were used for modification of Au-MNPs. These nanoparticles before and after modification were characterized spectroscopically, using transmission electron microscopy and gel electrophoresis. Using 0.2 mg/mL of Au-MNPs and covalent antibody immobilisation through a self-assembled monolayer method, the optimal concentration of monoclonal antibodies against human growth hormone in the solution was found to be 330 nmol /L.

Research Council of Lithuania. PPR Immunosensor for Detection of Malignant T-cell Biomarker CD5 (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-16-0158). Assoc. Prof. A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė. 2019–2020.
A simple and sensitive surface plasmon resonance immunosensor for the detection of CD5 as a potential biomarker for malignant T cell was designed. The designed immunosensor was characterized by a low limit of detection, good reproducibility, repeatability and stability. It is expected that the designed immunosensor could be used to determine CD5 in biological samples. In addition, an adapted methodology for CD5 concentration determination may be suitable for the detection of other biomarkers and may be useful in the field of disease diagnosis.

Research Council of Lithuania. The Evaluation of Antibody Immobilization on Surface (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-16-0168). Assist. A. Popov.
First, literature research was performed. Magnetic particles, which will be used in further work, were characterized using different methods. Work on conjugation of antibodies with magnetic particles was started.

Perovskite-Based Quantum-Cutting Materials and Their Application for Efficient Composite Solar Cells. European Regional Development Fund according to the supported activity ‘Research Projects Implemented by World-class Researcher Groups’ under Measure No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718, Grant no. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-03-0048, implementing institution: Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (project leader - Dr V. Gulbinas); partner institution: Vilnius University (project leader at partner institution - Prof. Dr A. Katelnikovas).

The aim of the project is to synthesize inorganic perovskite nanoparticles and apply them on the surface of solar cells in order to increase their efficiency.

International Research Projects

Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE-2017: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project TransFerr: Transition metal oxides with metastable phases: a way towards superior ferroic properties. A. Zarkov – participant.

Main publications:

Serga, V., Burve, R., Maiorov, M., Krumina, A., Skaudžius, R., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A., Popov, A. I. Impact of gadolinium on the structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline powders of iron oxides produced by the extraction-pyrolytic method. Materials. 2020, 13(18): 4147.

Karoblis, D., Griesiute, D., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Karpinsky, D. V., Lukowiak, A., Gluchowski, P., Raudonis, R., Katelnikovas, A., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A. A facile synthesis and characterization of highly crystalline submicro-sized BiFeO₃. Materials. 2020, 13(13): 3035.

Karoblis, D., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Lukowiak, A., Strek, W., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A. Novel synthetic approach to the preparation of single-phase Bi_xLa₁−xMnO_3+δ solid solutions. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. 2020, 93: 650–656.

Lithuania-Belarus Cooperation project Novel Nanostructured Catalytic Materials Based on Ferrites (NOCAMAT). A. Zarkov – participant.

Main publications:

Ivanets, A., Prozorovich, V., Roshchina, M., Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A., Wang, Z., Srivastava, V., Sillanpää, M. Heterogeneous fenton oxidation using magnesium ferrite nanoparticles for ibuprofen removal from wastewater: optimization and kinetics studies. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2020, 2020: 8159628.

Valeikiene, L., Roshchina, M., Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Prozorovich, V., Zarkov, A., Ivanets, A., Kareiva, A. On the reconstruction peculiarities of sol-gel derived Mg_2−xM_x/Al₁ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) layered double hydroxides. Crystals. 2020, 10(6): 470.

Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017) project Novel 1D Photonic Metal Oxide Nanostructures for Early Stage Cancer Detection (No. 778157). Prof. A. Ramanavičienė. 2018–2022.

Porous anodic aluminium oxide (pAAO) layer was electrochemically synthesized and used for the development of spectroscopic ellipsometry based biosensor. The evaluation of non-specific and reversible adsorption of human serum albumin (HAS) onto the pAAO layer was performed. Ellipsometric measurements showed that a part of HSA remained inside of the pAAO pores after washing with PBS solution and deionised water. Thus, due to such binding ability, HSA can be successfully used for the blocking of the remaining free surface to reduce non-specific binding after the immobilisation of biorecognition molecules on the pAAO surface. It was determined that some desorption of HSA molecules from the pAAO layer occurred during the sensor’s surface washing step; however, HSA concentration inside the nanopores still remained rather high. These results recommend the continued application of pAAO in the development of biosensors.

Research Council of Lithuania. The Lithuanian-Ukrainian Cooperation Programme in the Fields of Research and Technologies according to the bilateral collaboration agreement, project Development of Biosensors and Biofuel Cells Based on Redox Enzymes (No. S-LU-20-11/2020). Assoc. Prof. A. Kaušaitė-Minkštimienė.

Two amperometric glucose biosensors were developed. The first of these biosensors was based on a graphite rod electrode electrochemically deposited dendritic gold nanostructures and immobilized glucose oxidase. The designed biosensor showed a quick response time, a high saturation current, appropriate linear range, good repeatability, low limit of detection, good stability and demonstrated good accuracy in the analysis of human serum. The second of these biosensors was based on a a graphite rod electrode electrode pre-modified with dispersion of polyaniline nanostructures and reduced graphene oxide and immobilized glucose oxidase. This biosensor was characterized by a wide linear range, low limit of detection, good selectivity, reproducibility and stability.

Contractual Research

UAB Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)
UAB Elme metalas (Lithuania)

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research (Poland)
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
University of Latvia (Latvia)
Malmo University (Sweden)
Tailorlux GmbH (Germany)
Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
Osaka University (Japan)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Padarauskas -

• editorial board member of the journal Chemija (Chemistry).

Prof. A. Ramanavičienė -

• editorial board member of the jounal Sensors;
• quest-editor of special issue of the journal Polymers;
• scientific committee member of the International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

• Ramanavičienė. Electrochemical glucose biosensor based on dendritic gold nanostructures. 2nd International Congress on Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 11–14 March 2020, Antalya, Turkey.

 

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3176
E-mail:
Head - Prof. Dr Rimantas Raudonis

STAFF

Professors: Dr R. Raudonis, Dr S. Šakirzanovas (part-time).
Associate professors: Dr A. Žalga, Dr L. Vilčiauskas, Dr A. Vyšniauskas (part-time).
Assistants: Dr Kiuberis, Dr Ž. Stankevičiūtė.
Researcher: Dr S. Šakirzanovas (part-time).
Doctoral students: G. Gaidamavičienė, A. Diktanaitė, G. Merkininkaitė, A. Lyskoit, D. Tediashvili, J. Januškevičius, L. Šerpytis.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Film and powder synthesis by wet chemistry methods; surfaces and interfaces; nanostructural materials; sol-gel chemistry
Ceramics/bioceramics, biocomposites
Luminescent materials for solid-state lighting, upconverting materials for theranostics
Solid-state materials
Synthesis and investigation of different metal molybdates, vanadates, tungstates and phosphates

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Synthesis of Calcium Phosphates by Sol-Gel Method. Ž. Stankevičiūtė. 2015–2020.
Synthesis of calcium phosphate powders with silver, hydroxyapatite composites, sol-gel synthesis. PhD student Justinas Januškevičius.

Main publications:

Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Stankeviciute, Z., Ishikawa, K., Kareiva, A. Formation of calcium hydroxyapatite with high concentration of homogeneously distributed silver. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials. 2020, 293: 109806.

Grazenaite, E., Garskaite, E., Stankeviciute, Z., Raudonyte-Svirbutaviciene, E., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A. Ga-substituted cobalt-chromium spinels as ceramic pigments produced by sol-gel synthesis. Crystals. 2020, 10: 1078.

Golubevas, R., Stankeviciute, Z., Zarkov, A., Golubevas, R., Hansson, L., Raudonis, R., Kareiva, A., Garskaite, E. Acrylate-gelatin-carbonated hydroxyapatite (cHAP) composites for dental bone-tissue applications. Materials Advances. 2020, 1: 1675.

Advanced Precursors for Fabrication of Novel Nano/Micro Non-Stoichiometric Boron Carbide Ceramic Structures Using Laser 3D Printing Technology. Prof. Dr S. Šakirzanovas.
Precursors possessing the proper chemical and physical properties are an essential prerequisite for the formation of 3D micro- and nano-dimension ceramic structures by laser lithography. Thus, finding new chemical precursors suitable for laser 3D polymerisation remains an urgent and timely task. The aim of this project is to prepare and investigate mixtures of boron-organic compounds with various composition and stoichiometry in order to employ it for printing 3D derivatives.

Main publications:

Grigorjevaitė, J., Janulevičius, M., Kruopytė, A., Ežerskytė, E., Vargalis, R., Šakirzanovas, S., Katelnikovas, A. Synthesis and optical properties of efficient orange emitting GdB5O9:Sm3+ phosphors. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. 2020, 94: 80–87.

Janulevičius, M., Klimkevičius, V., Mikoliūnaitė, L., Vengalis, B., Vargalis, R., Šakirzanovas, S., Plaušinaitienė, V., Žilinskas, A., Katelnikovas, A. Ultralight magnetic nanofibrous GdPO4 aerogel. ACS Omega. Washington : American Chemical Society. 2020, 5(23): 14180–14185.

Synthesis and Investigation of Different Metal Molybdates, Vanadates, Tungstates, Phosphates, and Titanates. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Artūras Žalga, Dr. Giedrė Gaidamavičienė and PhD student Austėja Diktanaitė.

The development of the aqueous sol-gel synthesis technique for the preparation of different oxide materials (MgMoO₄, CaMoO₄, SrMoO₄, BaMoO₄, La₂Mo₂O₉, 5Bi₂O₃·V₂O₅, La₂/_3–xLi_3xTiO₃, LiTi₂(PO₄)₃, La₃Li₇Zr₂O₁₂, Fe₃O₄, Au#Fe₃O₄). Nano and micro-sized ceramics have been successfully synthesized by an aqueous sol-gel synthesis method using a tartaric acid as a ligand. Thermal analysis of both as-prepared gel precursors and oxides annealed at different temperatures was performed. The electrical properties of as-synthesized ceramics were additionally investigated by a broadband high temperature impedance spectroscopy techniques.

Main publications:

Kalyk, F., Stankevičiūtė, A., Budrytė, G., Gaidamavičienė, G., Žalga, A., Kriūkienė, R., Kavaliauskas, Ž., Leszczyńska, M., Abakevičienė, B. Comparative study of samarium-doped ceria nanopowders synthesized by various chemical synthesis routes. Ceramics International. 2020, 46(15): 24385–24394. DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.06.221.

Diktanaitė, A., Gaidamavičienė, G., Kazakevičius, E., Kežionis, A., Žalga, A. Aqueous sol-gel synthesis, thermal analysis, characterization and electrical properties of V2O5 doped Bi2O3 system. Thermochimica Acta. 2020, 685(178511): 1–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.tca.2020.178511.

Gaidamavičienė, G., Žalga, A. Synthesis, a structural and thermoanalytical study of Ca1-xSrxMoO4 ceramic. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 2020, 241(122339): 1–13. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.122339.

Fundamental Studies and Applications of Na- and Li-ion Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems by the Methods of Structural Analysis, Electrochemistry and Molecular Modelling. Assoc. Prof. L. Vilčiauskas. 2017–2022. PhD Student D. Tediashvili.
The search, synthesis, characterization and applications of novel phosphate framework materials suitable for the Na-ion battery electrodes.

International Research Projects

Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE-2017: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project TransFerr: Transition Metal Oxides with Metastable Phases: a Way towards Superior Ferroic Properties. Ž. Stankevičiūtė – participant.

Contractual Research
UAB Femtika. Synthesis and developement of precursors for laser 3D additive manufacturing.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

UAB Femtika (Lithuania)
UAB Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)

 

DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3110
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Habil. Dr Aivaras Kareiva

STAFF

Professors: Dr J. Barkauskas, Dr A. Beganskienė, Dr Habil. A. Kareiva, Dr R. Pauliukaitė (part-time).
Associate professors: Dr I. Grigoravičiūtė-Puronienė, Dr V. Kubilius, Dr V. Plaušinaitienė (part-time), Dr R. Skaudžius.
Assistant professors: Dr G. Gaidamavičienė (part-time), Dr J. Gaidukevič, Dr A. Laurikėnas (part-time), Dr M. Misevičius, Dr. J. Pilipavičius (part-time).
Senior researcher: Dr A. Zarkov.
Researchers: Dr V. Plaušinaitienė (part time), Dr A. Laurikėnas (part-time), M. Vagner (part-time).
Assistants: J. Grigorjevaitė (part-time), A. Pakalniškis (part-time).
Doctoral students: R. Aukštakojytė, G. Rimkutė, G. Inkrataitė, A. Plaušinaitis, M. Vagner, T. Murauskas, M. Norkus, L. Valeikienė, A. Čiuladienė, R. Diliautas, A. Afonina, D. Budrevičius, R. Raišelienė, R. Karalkevičienė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Developments of metal-organic chemical vapour deposition technique for oxide films
Transparent conducting oxides
Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials
Magnetic and magnetoresistant materials
Sol-gel processing of luminescent and biomaterials
Conservation and restoration chemistry
Synthesis, investigation and application of carbon nanomaterials
Synthesis of nanoparticles of metal, semiconductors and upconversion nanoparticles for biomedical and optic applications
New materials and procedures for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage
Synthesis, investigation and application of lanthanide doped garnets
Hybrid surface formation by plasma polymerization
Reduction of biological polution by cold plasma
Wood hardness and flame-retardancy properties

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

New Functional Materials and Chemical Compounds: Synthesis, Self-Order and Investigation of Properties

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Polycrystalline Materials. Prof. A. Kareiva. Prof. A. Beganskienė, Prof. J. Barkauskas, Prof. R. Skaudžius. 2011–2020.
Synthesis, characterization and investigation of catalytic properties of metal-substituted (M=Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Na⁺) calcium hydroxyapatite have been performed. The luminescence and vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectroscopy of samarium doped SrB₄O₇ have been investigated. In addition, acrylate-gelatin–carbonated hydroxyapatite (cHAP) composites for dental bone-tissue applications have been synthesized and characterized. Antibacterial properties for chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate and electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water-based mouthwashes have been studied. Alkaline earth metal substitution effects in sol-gel derived mixed-metal oxides and Mg_2-xM_x/Al₁ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba)-layered double hydroxides have been also investigated.

Main publications:

Ezerskyte-Miseviciene, A., Bogdanoviciene, I., Zilinskas, A., Beganskiene, A. and Kareiva, A. Synthesis, characterization and investigation of catalytic properties of metal-substituted (M=Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Na⁺) calcium hydroxyapatite. J. Austral. Ceram. Soc. 2020, 56: 839–848.

Tuomela, A., Zhang, M., Huttula, M., Sakirzanovas, S., Kareiva, A., Popov, A. I., Kozlova, A. P., Aravindh, S. A., Cao, W. and Pankratov, V. Luminescence and vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectroscopy of samarium doped SrB₄O₇. J. All. Cmpd. 2020, 826: 154205.

Golubevas, R., Stankeviciute, Z., Zarkov, A., Golubevas, R., Hansson, L., Raudonis, R., Kareiva A. and Garskaite, E. Acrylate-gelatin–carbonated hydroxyapatite (cHAP) composites for dental bone-tissue applications. Materials Advances. 2020, 1: 1675–1684.

Synthesis of Functional Oxide Films and Heteroepitaxial Structures by MOCVD (Metalorganic Chemical Vapour Deposition). Assoc. Prof. V. Plaušinaitienė. 2011–2020.

Transparent and conductive La-doped barium stannate for optoelectronic applications in the form of thin films and obtained by chemical vapor deposition were studied. The hybrid system consisting of two different magnetoresistive materials – nanostructured Co-doped manganite La_1-xSr_x(Mn_1-yCoy)_zO₃ and single- and few- layer graphene – were combined and investigated as a potential system for magnetic field sensing.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Lithuania-BELARUS Cooperation Project Novel Nanostructured Catalytic Materials Based on Ferrites (NOCAMAT) (No. S-LB-19-2). Prof. A. Kareiva. 2019–2020.

Heterogeneous Fenton oxidation using magnesium ferrite nanoparticles for ibuprofen removal from wastewater has been developed. The optimization and kinetics studies were performed. The LDHs were fabricated by reconstruction of mixed-metal oxides (MMOs) in deionized water. The MMOs were obtained by calcination of the precursor gels. The reconstruction peculiarities of sol-gel derived Mg_2-xM_x/Al₁ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) layered double hydroxides have been studied.

Main publications:

Ivanets, A., Prozorovich, V., Roshchina, M., Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A., Wang, Z., Srivastava, V., Sillanpää, M. Heterogeneous Fenton oxidation using magnesium ferrite nanoparticles for ibuprofen removal from wastewater: optimization and kinetics studies. J. Nanomater. 2020, 2020: 8159628.

Valeikiene, L., Roshchina, M., Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, I., Prozorovich, V., Zarkov, A., Ivanets, A. and Kareiva, A. On the reconstruction peculiarities of sol-gel derived Mg2-xMx/Al1 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) layered double hydroxides. Crystals. 2020, 10(470): 1–19.

Research Council of Lithuania. National Grant New Generation Materials for Light Technologies: Frontier Research on the Correlation of Optical Properties and Structure for the Purposive Synthesis (NEGEMAT) (No. S-MIP-19-59). Prof. A. Kareiva. 2019–2022.

The single-phase Ca₃Nb_1,775Li_0,275Ga_2,95O₁₂ garnet in the process of sol-gel synthesis using citric acid was synthesized. The lattice parameter determined was about 12.481 (5) Å, i. y. higher compared to conventional garnets. It is interesting to note that in the case where new compounds containing Mg, Sr and Ba were synthesized no garnet phase was formed. Y³⁺substitution by La in Y^_3-xLa_xAl₅O₁₂ garnet synthesized by sol-gel method has been investigated. It was concluded from the XRD data that substitution of yttrium by lanthanum with formation of monophasic Y_3-xLa_xAl₅O₁₂ is possible only at low concentration of lanthanum. It was demonstrated that YAG: Ce obtained by sol-gel method is suitable for preparing pure composites with BN and M280 or M600 polymers. This was concluded from X-ray diffraction analysis, which confirmed that materials did not react with each other. The attempts to synthesize bulk bismuth iron garnet (Bi₃Fe₅O₁₂; BIG) using an aqueous sol-gel processing route have been made.

Main publications:

Inkrataite, G., Zabiliute-Karaliune, A., Aglinskaite, J., Vitta, P., Kristinaityte, K., Marsalka, A., Skaudzius, R. Study of YAG: Ce and polymer composite properties for application in LED devices. ChemPlusChem. 2020, 85: 1504–1510.

Pakalniskis, A., Baltrunas, D., Mazeika, K., Skaudžius, R., Ramanauskas, R., Kareiva, A. Reinspection of low temperature synthesis of bulk Bi₃Fe₅O₁₂ (BIG): an aqueous sol-gel processing. Materials Chemistry and Physics. 2020, 253: 123283.

Research Council of Lithuania. MOCVD Growth and Investigations of New Generation Transparent Conducting Oxides (TCO), (S-MIP-19-45). May 2019–March 2022. V. Plaušinaitienė.

The MOCVD technologies for the deposition of new generation transparent conducting oxides (TCO) - doped perovskite stanates films were developed. To optimize the synthesis process for electrical and optical properties of films were investigated.

Research Council of Lithuania. Fast Magnetoresistive Processes in Nanostructured Manganite Film Sensors Used for Monitoring of Electromagnetic Forming (SMAPS), (S-MIP-17-110). October 2017–September 2020. Joint Center for Physical Sciences and Technology – Vilnius University projects. V. Plaušinaitienė.

The phase transition temperatures of high magnetoresistance materials were investigated. The magnetoresistance anisotropy in the films at 273–373 K temperature range by changing chemical composition and deposisition conditions of the manganite films were achieved.

Research Council of Lithuania. Novel Bulk and NanoComposite Materials – A Way Towards Superior Multiferoic Properties (No. S-MIP-19-9). Prof. A. Beganskienė. 2019–2022.

Novel synthetic approch for the preparation of single phase Bi_xLa_1-xMnO_x solid solutions have been suggested. Sol-gel synthesis, structural, morphological and magnetic properties of BaTiO₃ BiMnO₃ solid solutions have been a target of investigation. A facile synthesis and characterization of highly crystalline submicro sized BiFeO3 have been also performed.

Main publications:

Karoblis, D., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Lukowiak, A., Strek, W., Zarkov, A. and Kareiva, A. Novel synthetic approch for the preparation of single phase Bi_xLa_1-xMnO_x solid solutions. J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol. 2020, 93: 650–656.

Karoblis, D., Mazeika, K., Baltrunas, D., Niaura, G., Zarkov, A., Beganskiene, A. and Kareiva, A. Sol-gel synthesis, structural, morphological and magnetic properties of BaTiO₃ BiMnO₃ solid solutions. Ceramics Int. 2020, 46: 16459–16464.

Research Council of Lithuania. Thermal Reduction of Graphite Oxide in the Presence of Malonic Acid and Phosphorus Pentoxide: Optimization of the Synthesis Conditions and Investigation of Structural Properties (No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-16-0154). Dr J. Gaidukevič. 2019–2020.

The influence of malonic acid and P₂O₅ additives, temperature and different initial graphene oxide (GO) samples on the structural properties of thermally treated products was analysed. Thermally reduced samples were determined to have a polycrystalline graphite structure. Mainly partial reduction of GO samples was achieved since oxygen functional groups remained on the surface of the products. The analysis of GO thermal decomposition reaction kinetic parameters was also performed. Using the three kinetic models: Borchardt-Daniels, Ozawa, and Kissinger, activation energy values for the thermal decomposition reaction of GO were calculated. The addition of malonic acid and P₂O₅ mixture was found to increase the reactivity of GO.

Research Council of Lithuania. The Formation of Thin Films Electrodes from Graphene-Based Materials and Applications to (Bio)Sensors (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0050). Dr J. Gaidukevič. 2020–2022.

The aim of this project is to study and develop effective thin film electrodes of graphene-based materials and to provide a scalable process to yield nanostructured graphene and its related materials for biosensor applications.

International Research Projects

HORIZON 2020 MSCA-RISE-2017: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project TransFerr: Transition Metal Oxides with Metastable Phases: a Way towards Superior Ferroic Properties. Prof. A. Kareiva. 2017–2021.

The Bi_xLa_1-xMnO₃ samples were synthesized using sol-gel combustion method with citric acid as fuel and complexing agent. Evolution of the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Sm-doped BiFeO3 ceramics across the phase boundary region has been investigated. Impact of alkali ions co-doping on magnetic properties of La_0.9A_0.1Mn_0.9Co_0.1O₃ (A: Li, K, Na) powders and ceramics has been studied. Impact of gadolinium on the structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline powders of iron oxides produced by the extraction-pyrolytic method has been also investigated. Magnetic properties of La_0.9A_0.1MnO₃ (A: Li, Na, K) nanopowders and nanoceramics were investigated. Nanoscale ferroelectricity in pseudo-cubic sol-gel derived barium titanate - bismuth ferrite (BaTiO_3- BiFeO₃) solid solutions was recently determined.

Main publications:

Gluchowski, P., Nikonkov, R., Tomala, R., Stręk, W., Shulha, T., Serdechnova, M., Zarkov, A., Murauskas, T., Pakalaniškis, A., Skaudžius, R., Kareiva, A., Kholkin, A., Bushinsky, M. V., Latushka, S., Karpinsky, D. Impact of alkali ions co-doping on magnetic properties of La0_.9A_0.1Mn_0.9Co_0.1O₃ (A: Li, K, Na) powders and ceramics. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10: 8786.

Serga, V., Burve, R., Maiorov, M., Krumina, A., Skaudzius, R., Zarkov, A., Kareiva, A. and Popov, A. I. Impact of gadolinium on the structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline powders of iron oxides produced by the extraction-pyrolytic method. Materials. 2020, 13: 4147.

Głuchowski, P., Nikonkov, R., Tomala, R., Stręk, W., Shulha, T., Serdechnova, M., Zheludkevich, M. L., Pakalaniškis, A., Skaudžius, R., Kareiva, A., Abramov, A., Kholkin, A. M., Bushinsky, V., Karpinsky, D. Magnetic properties of La_0.9A_0.1MnO₃ (A: Li, Na, K) nanopowders and nanoceramics. Materials. 2020, 13: 1788.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, (Poland)
Nanoceramics Spolka Akcyjna, Wroclaw (Poland)
Kyushu University, Fukuoka (Japan)
Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Vilnius (Lithuania)
University of Aveiro, Aveiro (Portugal)
Semiconductor Electronic Department, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv (Ukraine)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Kareiva –

• member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences;
• deputy editor of the journal Chemija (Chemistry);
• editorial board member of the journal Medžiagotyra (Materials Science);
• editorial board member of the Scientific Reports (Chemistry);
• editorial board member of the Eurasian Journal of Physics and Functional Materials;
• editorial board member of the Coatings;
• editorial board member of the Materials.

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

• A. Kareiva, A. Beganskiene, R. Skaudzius, I. Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, A. Zarkov, Z. Stankeviciute. Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline layered double hydroxides. Ukrainian conference with international participation: Chemistry, Physics and Technology of Surface Dedicated to the 90th birthday of Academician Aleksey Chuiko. Kyiv, Ukraine, 21–22 October, 2020.
• Kizalaite, L. Sinusaite, D. Griesiute, A. Popov, A. Antuzevics, K. Mazeika, D. Baltrunas, limavicius, J. C. Yang, A. Kareiva and A. Zarkov. Fe and Zn co-substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate: synthesis, structural, magnetic, mechanical and biological properties. Open Readings 2020. 63^th scientific conference for Students of Physics and Natural Sciences. Vilnius, Lithuania, 17–20 March, 2020.
• A. Kareiva, A. Pakalniskis, A. Beganskiene, R. Skaudžius, Z. Stankeviciute, I. Grigoraviciute-Puroniene, A. Zarkov. On the synthesis of bismuth iron garnet. 22nd international conference-school Advanced Materials and Technologies 2020. Palanga, Lithuania, 24–28August, 2020.
• A. Pakalniskis, K. Kristinaityte, A. Marsalka, V. Balevicius, R. Skaudžius, A. Kareiva. Investigation of structural transitions in Y3-xPrxAl5O12 (0X3) system. 22nd international conference-school Advanced Materials and Technologies 2020. Palanga, Lithuania, 24–28 August, 2020.
• A. Laurikenas, A. Marsalka, V. Balevicius, A. Kareiva. Sol-gel synthesis of lanthanum substituted YAG. 22nd international conference-school Advanced Materials and Technologies 2020. Palanga, Lithuania, 24–28August, 2020.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

• A. Kareiva and Z. Dabkevičius. The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and Pakruojis District Municipality continue cooperation. News of Lithuanian Academy of Science. 2020. (http://www.lma.lt/news/939/38/Lietuvos-mokslu-akademija-ir-Pakruojo-rajono-savivaldybe-tesia-bendradarbiavima).
• A. Kareiva. Synthetic bone and implants. News of Lithuanian Academy of Science. 2020. (http://www.lma.lt/news/896/38/Lietuvos-mokslu-akademijos-tikrajam-nariui-prof-habil-dr-Aivarui-Kareivai-60).
• A. Kareiva. Theodor Grotthuss Scholarship Awarded. News of Lithuanian Academy of Science. 2020. (http://www.lma.lt/news/884/38/Paskirta-Teodoro-Grotuso-stipendija).

 

DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 219 3192, 223 4528
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Edvinas Orentas

STAFF

Professors: Dr I. Čikotienė (part-time), Dr V. Masevičius, Dr E. Orentas (part-time), Dr Habil. S. Tumkevičius, Dr A. Žilinskas.
Professor Emeritus Dr Habil. P. Vainilavičius.
Associate professors: Dr A. Brukštus, Dr J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, Dr V. Jakubkienė, Dr R. Vaitkus.
Assistants: Dr. I. Karpavičienė, Dr G. Petraitytė (part-time), Dr S. Višniakova (part-time).
Researchers: Dr R. Bukšnaitienė, Dr E. Orentas (part-time), Dr G. Petraitytė (part-time), T. Javorskis (part-time).
Doctoral students:V. Vaitkevičius, P. Kaziukonytė, I. Misiūnaitė, I. Fiodorova, A. Jozeliūnaitė, A. Jankūnaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Metal-catalyzed organic reactions
Heterocyclic chemistry
Design, synthesis and transformations of novel nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur heterocycles, their functional derivatives and structural analogs of natural compounds
Design, synthesis and characterization of AdoMet analogues
Enantioselective synthesis of polycyclic molecules
Chiroptical properties
Functional supramolecular systems
Photochemistry
Self-assembly of organic molecules
Synthesis of supramolecular structures based on chiral bicyclic frameworks fused with heteroaromatic fragments
Light-emitting organic materials
Charge-transporting organic materials
Biological activity of organic compounds
Crystal engineering
X-ray diffraction
NMR, FTIR, Raman, UV, CD spectroscopy of organic compounds
Quantum chemical methods

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Development and Investigation of Functional Heteroaromatic Materials. 2014–2020.
Research team: Prof. S. Tumkevičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, Dr J. Bucevičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr V. Jakubkienė, I. Fiodorova.
Novel carbazole-pyrimidine and carbazole-pyrazine conjugates as TADF emitters for OLED application were designed and synthesized by using transition metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Influence of electronic and steric peculiarities of substituents in a diazine moieties and their substitution patern on electronic, photophysical characteristics was investigated. The findings are important for further optimization of TADF compounds with diverse molecular structures.

Synthesis of Functionalized Propargylic Substrates and their Application in Construction of Heterocyclic Structures. Research team: Dr I. Karpavičienė, Dr. R. Bukšnaitienė, I. Misiūnaitė.
Our research focuses on the electrophile-initiated cyclization reactions of propargylic substrates combined with imidazole moiety. The investigation includes the evaluation of influence on the reaction outcome of substituents on the starting material and reaction conditions as well as the scope and limits of chosen substrates in use for the formation of new condensed imidazole systems.

Synthesis of 4,6-Disubstituted Benzene-1,3-Dioles as Potential Hsp90 (Heat Shock Protein) Inhibitors. Research team: Assoc. Prof. A. Brukštus, P. Kaziukonytė.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) belongs to the family of chaperones. Recent data showed that the amount of this chaperone significantly increases in cancerous cells, therefore it was concluded that Hsp90 is necessary for the growth of malignant cells. Treatment for these types of diseases is expected to be found by inhibiting the protein. In earlier works we demonstrated, that compounds carrying 2-alkylbenzene-1,5-diol moiety is crucial for the inhibition of Hsp90. Based on these results, our ongoing research is concentrated on the synthesis of new 4-(1-aryl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-6-alkylbenzene-1,3-dioles as possible inhibitors of Hsp90 chaperone.

Nucleic Acids Tagging Technologies. Research team: Prof. V. Masevičius, Dr G. Petraitytė, M. Malikėnas.
Synthesis and enhanced functionalities of AdoMet analogues for nucleic acids labeling biological methylation is a methyl group transfer from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) onto N-, C-, O- or S-nucleophiles in DNA, RNA, proteins or small biomolecules. The reaction is catalyzed by enzymes called AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases (MTases).
To expand the practical utility of this important enzymatic reaction, cofactors containing sulfonium-bound side-chains with various functional or signal groups instead of methyl group were synthesized. These AdoMet analogues serve as cofactors for a variety of wild-type and mutant DNA, RNA or protein MTases enabling covalent attachment of these chains to their target sites in DNA, RNA or proteins (the approach named methyltransferase-directed Transfer of Activated Groups, mTAG).
Compounds containing sulfonium-bound propargyl moiety has proved to be efficient alkylating agents for labeling of DNA and RNA alike. While DNA MTases even engineered ones like E119H M.HhaI efficiently uses AdoMet analogues with only medium size side-chains, some RNA MTazes e.g. Hen1 can use as cofactors even large signal groups (Biotin, Cy3) possessing AdoMet analogues.

Main publication:

Rakauskaitė, R., Urbanavičiūtė, G., Simanavičius, M., Lasickienė, R., Vaitiekaitė, A., Petraitytė, G., Masevičius, V., Žvirblienė, A., Klimašauskas, S. Photocage-selective capture and light-controlled release of target proteins. iScience. 2020, 23(12): 101833. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101833. 

Synthesis of Polycyclic Scaffolds Fused with Heteroaromatic Metal Coordinating Units. Research team: Prof. A. Žilinskas, Dr S. Višniakova.

Synthesis of substituted pyrazole, thiadiazole and phenanthroline derivatives containing bicyclo [3.3.1] nonane, bicyclo [3.3.0] octane, bicyclo [2.2.1] heptane and adamantane moieties, study of their photophysical properties.
Synthesis of 1,10-phenanthroline series complexes with various transition metal ions for improved photophysical parameters of such organometallic complexes over those of the organic ligands themselves.

Main publication:

Janulevicius, M., Klimkevičius, V., Mikoliunaite, L., Vengalis, B., Vargalis, R., Sakirzanovas, S., Plausinaitiene, V., Zilinskas, A. and Katelnikovas A. Ultralight magnetic nanofibrous GdPO₄ aerogel. ACS Omega. 2020, 5: 23.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania. Diazine-based 3rd Generation Emitters for Organic Optoelectronics (No. S-MIP-17-73). Prof. S. Tumkevičius. 2017–2020.

Several TADF compounds with different molecular core rigidity were investigated to showcase the impact of conformational disorder on solid-state TADF properties. The study has shown that donor–acceptor TADF compounds with a consistently restricted molecular structure could be efficient emitters in solutions and solid films. Based on the results obtained for novel pyrimidine-carbazole TADF compounds crowded with several carbazole moieties, another approach to achieve efficient TADF by combining high prompt and delayed fluorescence yields through the selective optimization of emission decay rates has been developed. Highly efficient blue electroluminescence with peak EQE of nearly 20% and emission CIE colour coordinates of (0.16, 0.23) was demonstrated by employing the optimized compound in OLED as emitter.

Main publications:

Serevičius, T., Dodonova, J., Skaisgiris, R., Banevičius, D., Kazlauskas, K., Juršėnas, S., Tumkevičius, S. Optimization of the carbazole–pyrimidine linking pattern for achieving efficient TADF. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020, 8, 11192–11200. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0tc02194f.

Serevičius, T., Skaisgiris, R., Dodonova, J., Kazlauskas, K., Juršėnas, S., Tumkevičius, S. Minimization of solid-state conformational disorder in donor–acceptor TADF compounds. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2020, 22, 265–72. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CP05907E.

Serevicius, T., Skaisgiris, R., Fiodorova, I., Steckis, V., Dodonova, J., Banevicius, D., Kazlauskas, K., Jursenas, S., Tumkevicius, S. Achieving efficient deep-blue TADF in carbazole-pyrimidine compounds. Org. Electron. 2020, 82: 105723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgel.2020.105723.

Research Council of Lithuania. Next Generation Fluorescent Viscosity Sensors. (No-S-MIP-19-6). Assoc. Prof. J. Dodonova-Vaitknienė. 2019–2022. Vilnius University - partner of CPST (FTMC) Dr A. Vyšniauskas.

In search of efficient viscosity sensitive fluorescent materials with tuneable emission colour novel BODIPY derivatives decorated with alkyl and heteroaryl moieties in various positions of boron-dipyrromethene core were designed and their photoluminescent properties investigated. Synthesis methods of the target molecules have been developed by using heterocyclization reactions and/or transition metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions of haloBODIPYs with the appropriate organoboron or organotin reagents.

Research Council of Lithuania. Development of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials via Smart Molecular Engineering (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-718-01-0026). Project implementers: Assoc. Prof. Dr J. Dodonova-Vaitkūnienė, Prof. S. Tumkevičius. 2018–2022.

Novel phenoxazine-pyrimidine conjugates of type D-s-A-s-D, where D and A are electron donor and acceptor, respectively, s - spacer, were designed and their optical properties investigated. An optimum molecular geometry was revealed with a balanced ratio between the singlet−triplet energy splittings and corresponding coupling strengths, showing the submicrosecond solid-state TADF lifetime and high emission yield. The optimized TADF compounds were employed in OLED devices as emitters with tunable emission color from sky-blue to green. Outstanding peak EQE values from 26% to nearly 30% were obtained with minimized EQE roll-off.
A series of purines, substituted at C2 and C6 positions with electron acceptor and donor groups of different strengths were developed, and their photophysical and complex forming properties with metal ions studied. A new concept of a ratiometric chemical fluorescence sensor for metal ions involving the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between branches of different ligands as a mechanism of fluorescence modulation has been proposed.

Main publications:

Serevičius, T., Skaisgiris, R., Dodonova, J., Jagintavičius, L., Banevičius, D., Kazlauskas, K., Tumkevičius, S., Juršėnas, S. Achieving submicrosecond TADF lifetime and highly efficient electroluminescence by fine tuning of phenoxazine-pyrimidine structure. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 2020, 12, 10727−10736. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b21394.

Jovaisaite, J., Cīrule, D., Jeminejs, A., Novosjolova, I., Turks, M., Baronas, P., Komskis, R., Tumkevicius, S., Jonusauskas, G., Jursenas, S. Proof of principle of a purine D–A–D’ ligand based ratiometric chemical sensor harnessing complexation induced intermolecular PET. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2020, 22(45): 26502–26508. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0cp04091f.

Research Council of Lithuania. New Entries into the Chemistry of Organic Free-Radicals (GoRadical) (S-MIP-17-46). Prof. E. Orentas. 2018–2020.

New organo-photocatalysts for redox-neutral transformation were designed and synthesized building on the principle of intramolecular electron-shuffling. High photoactivity and recyclability in photooxidative transformations has been demonstrated for cheap off-the-shelf heterogeneous catalyst- fullerene soot. To expand its practical utility, flow-reaction setup has been developed with heterogeneous catalyst within the mobile phase.
Novel anionic cascade transformation, formally representing enol-allene [2+2]cycloaddition has been discovered and mechanistically interrogated.

Main publications:

Javorskis, T., Karpavičienė, I., Jurys, A., Snarskis, G., Bukšnaitienė, R., Orentas, E. Enolate structure enabled anionic cascade cyclization reaction: an easy access to complex scaffolds with contiguous six-, five- and four-membered rings. Angew. Chem Int. Ed. 2020, 59: 20120

Shi, Q., Zhou, X., Yuan, W., Su, X., Neniškis, A., Wei, X., Taujenis, L., Snarskis, G., Ward, J. S., Rissanen, K., de Mendoza, J., Orentas, E. Selective formation of S4- and T-symmetric supramolecular tetrahedral cages and helicates in polar media assembled via cooperative action of coordination and hydrogen-bonds. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142: 3658.

Research Council of Lithuania. Triplet State Engineering in Organic Optoelectronics Compounds (09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0084). Project implementers: Prof. E. Orentas, Dr T. Javorskis, A. Jozeliūnaitė, V. Vaitkevičius.

In depth understanding of factors governing NIR-to-vis light upconversion processes has been acquired by investigating a collection of rubrene derivatives substituted with bulky groups. Record value of upconversion yield has been obtained using rationally modified emitters.
New TADF emitter possessing naphthyridine acceptors have been design, synthesized.

Main publications:

Radiunas, E., Raišys, S., Juršėnas, S., Jozeliūnaitė, A., Javorskis, T., Šinkevičiūtė, U., Orentas, E., Kazlauskas, K. Understanding the limitations of NIR-to-visible photon upconversion in phthalocyanine-sensitized rubrene systems. J. Mat. Chem. C. 2020, 8: 5525.

Radiunas, E., Dapkevičius, M., Raišys, S., Juršėnas, S., Jozeliūnaitė, A., Javorskis, T., Šinkevičiūtė, U., Orentas, E., Kazlauskas, K. Impact of t-butyl substitution in rubrene emitter for solid state NIR-to-visible photon upconversion. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2020, 22: 7392.

Kreiza, G., Banevičius, D., Jovaišaitė, J., Juršėnas, S., Javorskis, T., Vaitkevičius, V., Orentas, E., Kazlauskas, K. Realization of deep-blue TADF in sterically controlled naphthyridines for vacuum- and solution-processed OLEDs. J. Mat. Chem. C. 2020, 8: 8560.

International Research Projects

The 5th joint call of the European Group of Interest (EIG) CONCERT-Japan on Functional Porous Materials Supraporous 2019–2022 (together with biotech company Ferentis and partners from Japan, Spain and Germany).

Main publication:

Ye, C., Yuan, W., Wei, X., Liang, R., Jozeliūnaitė, A., de Mendoza, J., Orentas, E. and Shi, Q. Metal coordination-guided formation of discrete neutral three-component hydrogen-bonded architectures. Org. Lett. 2020, 22: 9215.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Nanjing Tech University (China)
University of Tokyo (Japan)
Ludwig Maximilians Universität München (Germany)
University of Lund (Sweden)
Nanjing Tech University (China)
University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (Latvia)
Riga Technical University (Latvia)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. E. Orentas –

• member of Young Academy of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences,
  http://www.lma.lt/young-academy;
• chair of organizing committee of international conference Balticum Organicum Syntheticum (BOS); https://boschem.eu/bos2020/committees/.

Prof. S. Tumkevičius –

• editorial board member of the journal Chemija, https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/chemija/about.

 

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 233 4628, 219 3181
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Habil. Arūnas Ramanavičius

STAFF

Professors: Dr Habil. A. Ramanavičius, Dr H. Cesiulis, Dr Habil. A. Malinauskas (part-time), Dr Habil. R. Ramanauskas (part-time).
Associated professors: Dr D. Plaušinaitis, Dr A. Valiūnienė, Dr I. Plikusienė.
Assistant professor: Dr L. Mikoliūnaitė.
Doctoral students: E. Andriukonis, Š. Žukauskas, D. Balčiūnas, P Virbickas, Viktorija Liustrovaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Bioelectrochemistry, biosensors and biofuel cells
Gas sensors
Scanning electrochemical microscopy, ellipsometry, surface plasmon resonance
Investigation of the electrodeposition and properties of tungsten- and molybdenum-containing alloys
Metals and alloys electrodeposition
Corrosion of metals and alloys
Template-assisted deposition
Electrooxidation of cyanides
Electrochemical treatment of titanium and tungsten
Photoelectrochemistry

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Bioelectrochemistry, Biosensors and Biofuel Cells. A. Valiūnienė, A. Ramanavičius.

It was demonstrated that method of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) can be applied for investigations of silanized surfaces offering a new platform for the investigation of drug penetration and/or for the efficiency of drug delivery systems. A hybrid system based on combined SECM and fast Fourier transform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (FFT-EIS) was developed and applied for the evaluation of electrochemical properties and redox activity of immobilized active and inactivated yeast cells.

Main publications:

Gabriunaite, I., Valiūnienė, A., Poderyte, M., Ramanavicius, A. Silane-based self-assembled monolayer deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide as model system for pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020, 177: 112832. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112832.

Valiūnienė, A., Sabirovas, T., Petronienė, J., Ramanavičius, A. Towards the application of fast Fourier transform - scanning electrochemical impedance microscopy (FFT-SEIM). Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry. 2020, 864: 114067. DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2020.114067.

Valiūnienė, A., Petronienė, J., Dulkys, M., Ramanavičius, A. Investigation of active and inactivated yeast cells by scanning electrochemical impedance microscopy. Electroanalysis. 2020, 32: 367–374. DOI: 10.1002/elan.201900414.

Photoelectrochemistry. A. Valiūnienė, A. Ramanavičius.

Electrochromic investigations of the glass/ITO/PB-urease biosensor showed that the glass/ITO/
PB-urease biosensor exhibits sensitivity towards urea in concentration range from 3 mM to 30 mM. Urea biosensor based on electrochromic PB selectivity to ammonium ions was designed and investigated showing the linear dependency (R²=0.995) between the change of maximal absorbance (ΔA) and urea concentration.

Main publications:

Valiūnienė, A., Virbickas, P., Medvikytė, G., Ramanavičius, A. Urea biosensor based on electrochromic properties of Prussian blue. Electroanalysis. 2020, 32: 503–509. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elan.201900556.

Dedelaite, L., Rodriguez, R. D., Schreiber, B., Ramanavicius, A., Zahn, D. R. T., Sheremet, E. Multiwavelength optical sensor based on a gradient photonic crystal with a hexagonal plasmonic array. Sensors and Actuators B Chemical. 2020, 311: 127837.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

University of Latvia (Latvia)
Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Poznan University (Poland)
Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Clarkson University (USA)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. Dr Habil. Arūnas Ramanavičius –

• editorial board member of the journal Chemija (Chemistry), http://mokslozurnalai.lmaleidykla.lt/chemija.

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

• Prof. Dr Henrikas Cesiulis, Assoc. Prof. Dr Natalia Tintaru (Tsyntsaru) – organizers of European Conference on Renewable Energy Systems, Ecres 2020. 24 August 2020–25 August 2020. Special Session on Smartelectrodes: electro-chemical (electro-physical) methods to design devices/equipment.
• H. Cesiulis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as an effective tool to characterize materials for energy applications.
• N. Tsyntsaru. Iron group-based electrodeposits for effective electrocatalysis.

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLYMER CHEMISTRY

24 Naugarduko, LT-03225 Vilnius
Tel. 223 4529, 219 3227
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Ričardas Makuška

STAFF

Professors: Dr R. Makuška, Dr S. Budrienė.
Associate professors: Dr A. Vareikis, Dr T. Kochanė.
Assistant professors: Dr A. Bočkuvienė, Dr J. Jonikaitė-Švėgždienė, Dr V. Klimkevičius (part-time).
Researchers: Dr T. Krivorotova, Dr V. Klimkevičius (part-time).
Doctoral students: M. Steponavičiūtė, M. Jurkūnas.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Synthesis and modification of polymers
Controlled radical polymerization
Polyelectrolytes from natural and synthetic building blocks
Amphiphilic and charge-carrying brush polymers
Surface modification by polymeric nanostructures
Polymeric carriers for bioactive compounds
Immobilization of biocatalysts onto polymeric carriers
Encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic materials within polymeric shells
Synthesis and investigation of elastomers for artificial polymeric tissues

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Synthesis and Study of Brush Polymers for Surface Modification. Prof. Dr R.Makuška.
Kinetics of RAFT copolymerisation of PEO methacrylate and acetonide-protected dopamine methacrylamide was studied by SEC with quadruple detection including simultaneous recording of RI and UV responses. The copolymers were characterised by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy and RAMAN spectroscopy. The brush copolymers with unprotected catechol moieties were unstable; protection of catechol groups by acetonide helped to preserve catechol brush polymers from oxidative environment.

Main publications:

Klimkevicius, V., Steponaviciute, M., Makuška, R. Kinetics of RAFT polymerization and copolymerization of vinyl monomers by size exclusion chromatography. European Polymer Journal. 2020, 122: 109356. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.109356.

Steponaviciute, M., Klimkevicius, V., Makuska, R. Synthesis and stability against oxidation of random brush copolymers carrying PEO side chains and catechol moieties. Materials Today Communications. 2020, 25: 101262. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101262.

Bockuviene, A., Sereikaite, J. New β-carotene-chitooligosaccharides complexes for food fortification: Stability study. Foods. 2020, 9: 765, 1–10.

Synthesis and Investigation of Elastomers for Artificial Polymeric Tissues. Prof. Dr S. Budrienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr T. Kochanė.
Preparation of UV-curable biocompatible films from acrylate-vinylpyrrolidone-PDMS based copolymers was carried out. Hydrophilic copolymers of butyl methacrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, acrylic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, synthesized via radical polymerization, were modified with epoxypropoxypropyl-terminated PDMS and glycidyl methacrylate. The obtained products were characterized by FTIR and H1 NMR spectroscopy, SEM-EDS and elemental analysis. The effect of plasticizer type on properties of the films was investigated.

Main publications:

Kochane, T., Zabarauskė, I., Klimkevičienė, L., Strakšys, A., Mačiulytė, S., Navickaitė, L., Gailiūnaitė, S., Budrienė, S. Starch hydrolysis using maltogenase immobilized via different techniques. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2020, 144: 544–552.

Maciulyte, S., Mamaviciute, I,. Straksys, A., Kochane, T., Budriene, S. New poly(urethane-urea) microcapsules from PVA modified with APTES: preparation, characterization and enzyme encapsulation. Polymer Bulletin. 2020, 77: 3185–3204.

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Stimuli-Responsive Polymers and Investigation of Their Solution Properties. Dr V. Klimkevičius.
Temperature response of amphiphilic (co)polymers in aqueous solutions was evaluated. The effect of composition of the copolymers on conformational changes in aqueous solutions was investigated by measuring polymeric globule/aggregate size via dynamic light scattering. The temperature of conformational changes of the copolymers was adjusted by variation of hydrophilic/hydrophobic segments in the copolymers.

Main publications:

Janulevicius, M., Klimkevicius, V., Vanetsev, A., Plausinaitiene, V., Sakirzanovas, S., Katelnikovas, A. Controlled hydrothermal synthesis, morphological design and colloidal stability of GdPO4·nH2O particles. Materials Today Communications. 2020, 23: 100934. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.100934.

Klimkevicius, V., Janulevicius, M., Babiceva, A., Drabavicius, A., Katelnikovas, A. Effect of cationic brush-type copolymers on the colloidal stability of GdPO4 particles with different morphologies in biological aqueous media. Langmuir. 2020, 36: 7533–7544. DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01130.

Dagys, L., Klimkevičius, V., Klimavicius, V., Balčiūnas, S., Banys, J., Balevicius, V. Cross–polarization with magic–angle spinning kinetics and impedance spectroscopy study of proton mobility, local disorder, and thermal equilibration in hydrogen–bonded poly(methacrylic acid). Journal of Polymer Science. 2020, 58(23): 3253–3263. DOI: 10.1002/pol.20200592.

National Research Projects

Lithuanian Business Support Agency at the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania. Innovative Anti-Corrosion Coatings for Industrial and Transport Applications (No S-J05-LVPA-K-03-0139). Prof. Dr R. Makuška. 2018–2021.
Implementing the project, four different innovative anti-corrosion coatings that are either scratch-resistant, or underwater-curing, or contaminant-repelling, or do not contain volatile organic compounds were developed and tested. Prototypes of the novel anti-corrosion coatings for industrial applications were prepared which are under testing in real exploitation conditions.

European Social Fund under grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT). Surface Modification and Colloidal Stabilization of Optically Active Nanoparticles in Aqueous Media for Biomedical Applications (No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0012). Dr Vaidas Klimkevičius. 2020–2022.
The project concerns optically active (OA) nanoparticles (NPs) with especial impact on their crystallinity, size and/or morphology. Nanoparticle surface chemistry will be investigated, custom-made brush-type polyelectrolytes containing PEG substituents will be synthesized and applied to modify/functionalize surface of nanoparticles. The effect of charge density, PEG substituent, and composition of the polymers will be evaluated, and optical properties of the particles will be studied.

Contractual Research

UAB Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics. Dr V. Klimkevičius.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics (Lithuania)
UAB Litnobiles (Lithuania)
Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania)
Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. R. Makuška –

• member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences;
• editorial board member of the journal Chemija (Chemistry).

 

INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCES

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8268
e-mail:

Director – Prof. Dr Egidijus Rimkus

 

 

 

DEPARTMENTS OF THE INSTITUTE

Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics
Department of Geography and Land Management
Department of Geology and Mineralogy
Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology
Departmant of Hydrology and Climatology

RESEARCH AREAS

Geographical differentiation of Lithuania’s territory in terms of state development and territorial planning
Changes in ecosystems and climate, conservation of the environment and the use of natural resources

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS MAINTAINED IN 2020

L. Šidlauskaitė. Current and future winter road weather condition forecasting in Lithuania.

MAIN CONFERENCES ORGANIZED IN 2020

National conference Climate change in Lithuania: global and national challenges, monitoring and policy guidelines. Vilnius, Lithuania, 22 May, 2020
National conference Geography science: research for the wellbeing of nature and society. Vilnius, Lithuania, 23 October, 2020.

MAIN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2020

Prof. Andrej Spiridonov. Vilnius University Rector’s Science Award for outstanding scientific achievement for young scientists.
 

DEPARTMENT OF CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOINFORMATICS

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8296
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Habil. Algimantas Česnulevičius

STAFF

Professors: Dr G. Beconytė, Dr Habil. A. Česnulevičius.
Associate professor: Dr A. Bautrėnas.
Assistant professors: Dr A. Balčiūnas (part-time), Dr L. Bevainis, Dr D. Ovodas, Dr K. Papšys (part-time).
Lecturers: N. Mačiulevičiūtė–Turlienė (part-time), L. Šutinienė (part-time).
Doctoral students: N. Mačiulevičiūtė–Turlienė, R. Skapaitė, L. Šutinienė, R. Viliuvienė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Methods of complex cartographic visualization
Unmanned aircraft vehicles using for dynamic surface research
History of Lithuanian cartography
Mapping of natural, social and economic phenomena of Lithuanian territory
Investigation of mental maps

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Creation of Methodology for Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV) Aerial-Images Using for the Forest Plantation Condition and Wood Quantity Assessment. Prof. A. Česnulevičius. 2019–2020.
The aim of the project is to develop a methodology for assessing the condition, age, species composition and wood content of forest plantations using achromatic and chromatic aerial photographs of unmanned aircraft. The tasks include development a methodology for optimal planning of unmanned aircraft flight routes (optimal flight altitude, aerial photo overlay, aerial photo spectrum selection), development a methodology to optimize achromatic aerial photographs histograms, a methods of photogrammetric measurement of aerial photographs, which allows estimation of the exact volume of the growing trees, a methodology for optimization of chromatic aerial photographs histograms, an economic calculation methodology for the application of unmanned aerial photographs to the assessment of forest plantations for specific project cases.

Research of Mental Maps. Prof. G. Beconytė. 2019–2020.

The purpose of investigation is to assess how geographical reality is reflected in people’s consciousness. In 2020, research focused on a study of symbols and emotions in children’s consciousness maps.
130 sources of information related to the analysis of symbols of mental maps were examined. The structure of the performed source analysis is related to the consistent disclosure of mental map styles: the analysis of the concept of mental map styles, the importance of style, the visualization of local place and space. The methodology, applied for the evaluation of mental maps and the analysis of individual functional criteria, was formulated.
The maps created by the children for the International Barbara Petchenik children's map competition (national selection stage) were digitized for the study of mental maps. A structured map database was created.

National Research Projects

Contractual Research
Compilation, editing and preparation for publication of Lithuania, the World, Europe and Scandinavia maps. CC Infoface.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Klaipėda University (Lithuania)
National Center for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics “GIS-Centras” (Lithuania)
JSC Hnit- Baltic (Lithuania)
International Cartographic Association

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Dr Andrius Balčiūnas -

• President of Lithuanian Cartographic Society.

Dr A. Bautrėnas -

• member of the Board of the Lithuanian Cartographic Society.

Prof. G. Beconytė -

• member of AGILE International Conference on Geographic Information Science, Scientific committee;
• editorial board member of the journal Kartographische Nachrichten – Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information;
• editorial board member of the journal Geodesy and Cartography;
• member of Commission for Geovisualization and Commission for Children and Cartography (International Cartographic Association);
• editorial board member of the international Journal of Maps;
• executive secretary of Lithuania Cartographic Society.

Dr Linas Bevainis -

• editorial board member of the journal Surveying and Mapping Engineering (JSME).

Prof. Algimantas Česnulevičius -

• editorial board member of the journal Baltica (Lithuania);
• editorial board member of the journal Geology, Geography (Lithuania);
• editorial board member of the journal Geodesy and Cartography (Lithuania);
• editorial board member of the journal Polish Cartographical Review (Poland).

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS, BUSINESS ENTITIES

• Beconytė G. Member of United Nations group of experts on geographical names (National Land Service).
• Bevainis L. Chairman of the Digital Geographic Information Technical Committee of the Lithuanian Standardization Department.
• Česnulevičius A. Member of United Nations Lithuanian group of experts on geographical names (National Land Service).

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

• Ministry of Environment;
• Ministry of Agriculture;
• Lithuanian Geography;
• Teachers’ Association;
• National Land Service;
• Two consultations for Lithuanian Radio;
• Three consultations for the website Delfi.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

• Over 10 interviews, radio and TV broadcasts.
• More than 10 public lectures.

 

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND LAND MANAGEMENT

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-03101 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8286
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Darijus Veteikis

STAFF

Professors: Dr D. Krupickaitė, Dr D. Veteikis, Dr J. Mačiulytė (part-time), Dr D. Burneika (part-time), Dr Habil. P. Kavaliauskas (emeritus).
Associate professors: Dr R. Prapiestienė, Dr F. Kavoliutė, Dr R. Šimanauskienė, Dr R. Tučas, Dr R. Skorupskas, Dr J. Volungevičius.
Assistant professors: Dr L. Jukna, Dr G. Godienė (part-time), Dr I. Misiūnė (part-time, post-doc), Dr S. Šabanovas (part-time), Dr M. Jankauskaitė (part-time), E. L. Dvilevičius (part-time).
Doctoral students: A. Jasinavičiūtė, G. Kurmilavičienė, E. Piškinaitė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Remote sensing and spatial analysis of landscape, ecosystems and soils
History and monitoring of landscapes
Land use/land cover change analysis
Spatial analysis of political, social, and economical processes
Prognoses of spatial changes of society
Urban geography
Migration studies
Rural geography
Ecosystem services and their social demand
Optimization of land management and strategic planning
Geographical groundings of regional policy
Medical and health geography
Electoral geography
Mapping and visualization of geographical processes

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Landscape Anthropogenization and Justification of the Need for Ecosystem Services. Prof. D. Veteikis. 2019–2020.
The aim of the project is to assess the extent, direction and impact of landscape change on the quality and need for ecosystem services. There are several parallel studies carried on within the scope of the project. One is to evaluate the influence of landscape instability caused by anthropogenic disturbances on the quality of ecosystem services on a national level. The classification of the landscapes under anthropogenic impact in local level is being created in order to get the knowledge on landscape variety in the country. The trajectories of landscape structure change starting from the middle of the 19th century is being under evaluation using the historical maps. We also aimed at the development of the methodology for landscape reserve condition evaluation in Lithuania. In collaboration with the foreign colleagues, analysis of marine ecosystem services under the anthropogenic threats was performed. A post-doc study on the demand of the ecosystem services resulted in detection of push-and-pull factors for use of urban green spaces and priorities for their ecosystem services in Vilnius city.

Main publication:

Depellegrin, D., Menegon, S., Gusatu, L., Roy, S., Misiunė, I. Assessing marine ecosystem services richness and exposure to anthropogenic threats in small sea areas: A case study for the Lithuanian sea space. Ecological Indicators. 2020, 108: 105730–105730.

Changes in Soil Properties and Their Impact on Landscape Structure and Rational Use. Assoc. Prof. J. Volungevičius.
The aim of the research is to determine the tendencies of changes in Lithuanian soil properties under the conditions of their different use. The identification of trends is relevant to assess the sustainability of the use of soil resources and to predict changes in their quality. This is relevant when substantiating agro-ecosystem spatial planning measures and recommendations for use intensity. It is important to study not only the soils of agricultural areas, but also the soils in protected areas in order to compare how the properties of the soil change with its use. During the study, changes in soil profile morphology, chemical, physical properties and moisture regime were analyzed. Intensive use of soil in agriculture has been found to cause loss of soil organic carbon, deterioration of its structure and disruption of the hydrothermal regime.

Main publication:

Kochiieru, M., Feizienė, D., Feiza, V., Volungevičius, J., Velykis, A., Slepetiene, A., Deveikyte, I., Seibutis, V. Freezing-thawing impact on aggregate stability as affected by land management, soil genesis and soil chemical and physical quality. Soil & Tillage Research. 2020, 203: 104705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104705.

Ecological Living as a Strategy for the Survival of Regions. Prof. D. Krupickaitė. 2019–2020.
The objective of the project is to explore the potential of ecological lifestyles for sustainable regional development. Among the other tasks developed by the project team were: (1) the problem of territorial integration of gated communities in Lithuania, (2) territorial processes of residents in Lithuania, (3) optimization of the network of electoral territories (constituencies and wards); (4) evaluation of condition of heritage objects in protected areas; (5) city image studies.

Geographical Research of Lithuanian Countryside in the Context of European Socio - Economic Changes. Prof. J. Mačiulytė. 2019–2020.

Since 1990, Lithuanian rural society has been undergoing profound economic and social changes. The aim of the research is to analyze the development of Lithuanian rural areas and the current dynamics based on the diversification of social and economic functions in the EU context. The study uses statistical data (demographic, socio-economic) that allow assessing the functions and development of the territory.

National Research Projects

Remote Sensing Studies of Soil and Consultantions. European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Development of Innovative Service (2018LT35BV-KK-17-1-03774-PR001). R. Skorupskas, J. Volungevičius. 2018–2020.

Aerial photography of sample fields, collection of soil physical and chemical data, GIS analysis.

International Research Projects

University Course and Public Lectures on Earth Observations (UniEO, Project No. 4000126335/18/NL/SC). 2019–2020. R. Šimanauskienė, L. Jukna.
University teaching subject the textbook Earth Observation from Space (in Lithuanian: Žemės stebėjimas iš kosmoso) was prepared and approved by the Faculty Council.

ALGEA Servise for LIFE (ALGAE – ECONOMY BASED ECOLOGICAL SERVICE OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS LIFE17 ENV/LT/000407). 2017–2022. R. Skorupskas.
Aerial photography of sample water bodies, image data analysis initiation. 

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Lithuanian Social Research Centre (Lithuania)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Ruhr University Bochum (Germany)
Montpellier III University (France)
Bamberg University (Germany)
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland)
Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (Poland)
Klaipeda University (Lithuania)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. D. Veteikis –

• editorial board member of the journal The Geographical Yearbook;
• editorial board member of Administration Locorum series of the Acta Scientiarum Polonorum.

Prof. D. Krupickaitė –

• deputy editor of the journal The Geographical Yearbook.

Assoc. Prof. R. Šimanauskienė –

• editorial board member for The Geographical Yearbook.

Dr I. Misiūnė –

• invited editor for the SPRINGER NATURE book edition entitled Exploring the Multiple Values of Nature - Connecting Ecosystems and People across Landscapes.

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

• Šimanauskienė R., Linkevičienė R., Taminskas J., Povilanskas R. Coastal dunes ecosystems change according to normalized difference vegetation index (the case study of Curonian Lagoon), 3rd Baltic Earth conference Earth System Science for the Baltic Sea Region. Online conference (Poland), 2–3 June 2020.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

• Prof. D. Krupickaitė (chairwoman), Prof. D. Veteikis, Prof. D. Burneika. Members of the commission for preparation of Descriptor of the Study Fields of Physical and Human Geography (Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education).
• Assoc. Prof. R. Skorupskas, Assoc. Prof. J. Volungevičius. Experts for evaluation of the solutions (landscape, environmental, protected areas, soil, agriculture and forestry parts) offered in the Comprehensive Plan of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania).
• Prof. J. Mačiulytė. Expert in international scientific database Lituanistika of bibliographic records, abstracts and full-text documents.
• Prof. J. Mačiulytė. Associate Member of the Centre for Russian, Caucasian and Central European Studies of the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in France and the scientific laboratory UMR 5281 ART-Dev of Montpellier III at the Paul Valéry University.
• Assoc. Prof. R. Tučas. Specialist invited by the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

• 6 popular media publications;
• 18 interviews, radio and TV broadcasts;
• 3 public lectures;
• 78 maps for Parliament election event.

 

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8292
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Andrej Spiridonov

STAFF

Professors: Dr P. Šinkūnas, Dr S. Radzevičius, Dr Andrej Spiridonov.
Associated professors: Dr D. Kaminskas, Dr G. Skridlaitė (part-time).
Lecturers: Dr A. Kleišmantas (part-time), Dr D. Kisielienė (part time).
Assistant professors: Dr L. Balakauskas, Dr A. Čečys, Dr N. Dobrotin (part-time), Dr J. Lazauskienė (part-time), Dr D. Michelevičius (part-time),.
Researchers: Dr G. Vaikutienė, Dr I. Bagdanavičiūtė, Dr S. Bekeraitė.
Professor Emeritus: Dr. G. Motuza-Matuzevičius.
Assoc. Prof. Emeritus: Dr. A. Brazauskas.
In research projects: Dr A. Venckutė-Aleksienė, Dr E. Rudnickaitė, Dr P. Musteikis.
Doctoral students: E. Šinkūnė, J. Debesiūnaitė, Ž. Stankevičius, D. Dankina, V. Kirkliauskaitė, S. Lozovskis, M. Grendaitė, A. Cichon-Pupienis, A. Zans, T. Gečas, R. Stankevič, S. Rinkevičiūtė, T. Žeglaitis, L. Daumantas.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Geology of Precambrian crystalline basement:
Petrology, chronology, tectonic structure and evolution of Precambrian crystalline crust Palaeontology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology:
Taxonomy, evolutionary dynamics, macroecology and stratigraphy of early Paleozoic graptolite and brachiopods, conodonts and other vertebrates
Global patterns of macroevolutionary change
Geochemistry and sedimentalogy of Silurian deposits of the Silurian Baltic Basin
Late Permian vertebrate paleontology and sedimentology of the north-eastern Zechstein basin
Devonian conodonts and biotic events
Cretaceous extinction events and geobiological perturbations
Late Glacial and Holocene diatom taxonomy and stratigraphy, changes in climate and sea level of the Baltic Sea
Lithostratigraphy of Quaternary tills based on lithological, sedimentological and geochronological data

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Impact of the Earth System on Evolutionary Radiation, Species Extinction and Ecosystem Reorganization. Prof. A. Spiridonov. 2019–2021.

The main task of the project is the comprehensive understanding of the scaling of the biotal evolution in connection to the tectonic and climatic processes. The main time periods which will be analyzed are the Permian and Cretaceous. The diversity dynamics of fossil fishes, and the first crabs were analyzed.

Main publication:

van Bakel, B. W., Mychko, E. V., Spiridonov, A., Jagt, J. W. and Fraaije, R. H. New Cretaceous crabs (Crustacea, Brachyura) from Moscow Oblast and Dagestan (Russia): patterns in phylogeny and morphospace of the oldest eubrachyurans (Dorippoidea). Cretaceous Research. 2020, 104675.

The Later Silurian Bioevents. Prof. Dr S. Radzevičius. 2016–2021.
The main goal of the topic is to identify regional stratigraphic events in Silurian sections of Lithuanian, to determinate bioevents correlating with global events and analyse their biotic and abiotic nature.

Main publication:

Spiridonov, A., Samsonė, J., Brazauskas, A., Stankevič, R., Meidla, T., Ainsaar, L. and Radzevičius, S. Quantifying the community turnover of the uppermost Wenlock and Ludlow (Silurian) conodonts in the Baltic Basin. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 2020, 549: 109128.

The Lower Paleozoic Carbonate Systems of the Baltic Sedimentary Basin. Assoc. Prof. D. Kaminskas. 2019–2021.
The main goal of the project is to study the peculiarities of carbonate sedimentation and diagenesis of the Baltic Silurian Basin. The carbonate analysis was applied for 399 samples. The carbonate content (calcite and dolomite) was determined for bulk samples. It was suggested that the increase in carbonate content and also increase in variability of carbonate content as well as decrease in LOI and magnetic susceptibility is associated with the Klonk excursion. The variation of carbonate content vs terrigenous material was established in Milaiciai 103 well. The lithological along with the carbonate analysis of probable relative depth changes revealed a long term shallowing trend, which was related to the final phases of the development of the Silurian Baltic Basin.

Main publication:

Spiridonov, A., Stankevič, R., Gečas, T., Brazauskas, A., Kaminskas, D., Musteikis, P., Kaveckas, T., Meidla, T., Bičkauskas, G., Ainsaar, L., Radzevičius, S. Ultra-high resolution multivariate record and multiscale causal analysis of Pridoli (late Silurian): Implications for global stratigraphy, turnover events, and climate-biota interactions. Gondwana Research. 2020, 86: 222–249.

Mesoproterozoic Igneous and Ore Complexes in the Crystalline Base of Lithuania and Surrounding Regions. Assoc Prof. G. Skridlaitė. 2017–2021.
The main goal was to identify and link mesoproterozoic igneous, metamorphic and ore geological events in the crystalline bedrock of eastern and southern Lithuania. The origin and age of granitoids crossing the rocks of the Varėna iron ore deposit were studied. The age of two granitoids from D9 and 987 wells was determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) at NORDSIM Laboratory in Stockholm. Both circular granite (D9) and walled granite (987) formed about 1.50 billion years ago. Dated zircons have been depleted by hydrothermal solutions and radioactive decay, making the dating of such zircons quite complex.

Palaeogeography of the Quaternary Period. Prof. P. Šinkūnas. 2019–2021.
The main research task is to determine the development of palaeogeographical environment during the Late Pleistocene - Early Holocene based on the study of deposit sequences. The research group studied sedimentary records in the southeastern Baltic Sea region to reconstruct the climatic fluctuations and the abiotic responses to them during the Late Glacial
and Early Holocene. The results obtained contribute to a deeper understanding of how the local sediment sequences reveal the global climatic trends.

Main publication:

Moskalewicz, D., Szczuciński, W., Mroczek, P., & Vaikutienė, G. Sedimentary record of historical extreme storm surges during in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Baltic Sea. Marine Geology. 2020, 420: 106084.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania project: Ecosystem Construction and Collapse in the Silurian – Survival of Biodiversity in the Extreme Climate (No. S-MIP-19-15). Prof. Dr S. Radzevičius, Prof. A. Spiridonov, PhD student T. Ževlvys, PhD student A. Cichon-Pupienis, Prof. P. Musteikis. 2019–2022.
Silurian is one of the shortest and most dynamic periods in the history of the Earth. Although this period was one of the shortest, it witnessed several large scale paleobiological, paleoclimatic and global carbon cycle perturbations. It can be argued that during the Silurian period the first modern marine ecosystems appeared with vertebrates as top predators. During this time interval vegetation started to actively spread on land. With the spread of terrestrial vegetation intensified weathering of rocks and the sequestration of the carbon dioxide in the earth’s crust, this led to the global atmospheric compositional changes that have had an impact on the global climate. Three glacial episodes are recognised during the early Silurian. The direct evidence of glaciations in the Late Silurian was not recognized in the geological record.

Main publication:

Radzevičius, S., Raczyński, P., Whittingham, M. Lower Homerian (Silurian) Pristiograptus from the Zdanów section, Bardo Mountains (Sudetes, Poland) and their palaeobiogeographical implications. Bulletin of Geosciences. 2020, 95(2): 231–242.

International Research Projects

The Onset of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (UNESCO International Geoscience Programme IGCP no. 653). Participants from Department of Geology and Mineralogy of VU: Assoc. Prof. A. Brazauskas, Assoc. Prof. D. Kaminskas, Prof. S. Radzevičius, Prof. A. Spiridonov. 2016–2020.

The ‘Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event’ (GOBE) comprises the rapid diversification of marine organisms during the Ordovician Period. It is now clear that this adaptive radiation started for some organisms already in the late Cambrian and continued for others beyond the end of the Ordovician, making the GOBE the sum of a number of diversifications that completely modified marine food webs and that, for the first time in geological times, established modern marine ecosystems. The project focuses on interdisciplinary investigations, including case studies from international sites, involving specialists from the fields of palaeontology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochemistry, palaeooceanography, palaeoclimatology etc., in collaboration with the Subcommission on Ordovician Stratigraphy (SOS). The results of the project will contribute to the understanding of the triggering causes of the establishment of modern marine ecosystems, but also to the identification of the reasons of the first collapse of these environments during the Late Ordovician mass extinction. The project will involve scientists from all over the world, and through the organization of dedicated workshops, will integrate graduate and doctoral students, in particular from developing countries.

Main publication:

Ainsaar, L., Tinn, O., Dronov, V. A., Kiipli, E., Radzevičius, S., Meidla, T. Stratigraphy and facies differences of the Middle Darriwilian Isotopic Carbon Excursion (MDICE) in Baltoscandia. Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences. 2020, 69(4): 214–222.

Polish-Lithuanian Collaboration Group (DAINA) project Ichnological and Sedimentological Evidence of Late Glacial and Holocene Environmental Changes in the Eastern Part of the European Sand Belt. Prof. A. Spiridonov - principal investigator, members: Prof. P. Šinkūnas, Dr E. Rudnickaitė and L. Daumantas. 2018–2020.
The planned research is based on the fieldwork. Special attention will be paid to humic horizons, including palaeosols, where the most abundant trace fossils and bioturbation structures are expected. Such studies will be accompanied by parallel sedimentological and stratigraphical analyses, with an application of optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon datings, georadar and statistical methods. This will allow presentation of the dynamics of the aeolian sediments in space and time and to integrate them with results from the ichnological research.

Main publication:

Daumantas, L., Balakauskas, L., Spiridonov, A. Machine learning reveals the role of the landscape in the dynamics of human settlement rules between the Palaeolithic and Iron Ages in Lithuania. Quaternary International. 2020, 565: 109–124.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

McGhill University (Canada)
Geological Survey of Utah (USA)
Kansas University (USA)
Carleton University (Canada)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Klaipėda University (Lithuania)
Krakow University (Poland)
Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kaliningrad (Russia)
Tartu University (Estonia)
Institute of Geology and Geography (Lithuania)
Geological Survey of Lithuania (Lithuania)
Institute of Geography, Moscow (Russia)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Assoc Prof. D. Kaminskas –

• editor-in-chief and reviewer of the journal Geologija, Geografija, https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/geologija-geografija

Prof. S. Radzevičius –

• editorial board member of the journal Geological Quarterly, https://gq.pgi.gov.pl/index;
• secretary of the journal Geologija, Geografija, https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/geologija-geografija;
• corresponding member of the International Subcomision on Silurian Stratigraphy, http://silurian.stratigraphy.org/;
• head of the Lithuanian Comission on Stratigraphy.

Prof. Dr P. Šinkūnas –

• chairman of the Lithuanian National INQUA Committee;
• chairman of Lithuanian National Committee of Geologists (IUGS);
• editorial board member of the journal Geologija, Geografija, https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/geologija-geografija;
• editorial board member of the journal Baltica, http://www.gamtostyrimai.lt/lt/publications/listingCategory/category.20;
• editorial board member of the journal Geologijos akiračiai. http://www.lgeos.lt/geologijos-akiraciai/geologijos-akiraciai/zurnalo-geologijos-akiraciai-numeriai.

MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS RECEIVED FOR R&D ACTIVITIES

• Prof. Andrej Spiridonov. Vilnius University Rector’s Science Award for outstanding scientific achievements in 2020.

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

• Želvys, T., Brazauskas, A., Spiridonov, A., Kudžma, D., Garbaras, A., Radzevičius, S. Preliminary report on δ13Ccarb isotope excursion through the Silurian of Jočionys-299 borehole, Eastern Lithuania. In: C. Rasmussen, A. Stigall, A. Nielsen, S. Stouge, N. Schovsbo (Eds): Virtual Annual Meeting of IGCP 653 Zooming in on the GOBE, 7–10 September 2020, Abstract Volume, 53.
• Radzevičius, S., Trela, W., Garbaras, A., Kudžma, D. and Užomeckas, M. Integrated bio- and chemostratigraphy of the upper Homerian (Silurian) from the Kleczanów PIG - 1 well (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland). In: C. Rasmussen, A. Stigall, A. Nielsen, S. Stouge, N. Schovsbo (Eds): Virtual Annual Meeting of IGCP 653 Zooming in on the GOBE, 7–10 september 2020, Abstract Volume, 53.
• Skridlaite, G., Wiszniewska, J., Krzeminska, E., Baginski, B., Siliauskas, L., Ruszkowski, M., Gorbatschev, R. Voluminous 1.54-1.40 Ga magmatism and metamorphism in the western East European Craton, Lithuania and Poland: are they manifestations of Danopolonian or other orogenies further west? 34th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting, 8–10 January, 2020, Blindern, University of Oslo, Norway. NGF Abstracts and Proceedings, N 1.
• Skridlaite, G., Söderlund, U., Siliauskas, L., Naeraa, T. Baddeleyite, zircon and monazite minerals in the metasomatites of the Varena Iron Ore deposit in the western East European Craton: application for dating skarn and ore formation processes. Goldschmidt Hawaii 2020, Honolulu, June 21–26, gold2020:abs:202000283.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

• Prof. Andrej Spiridonov. Working group member of the strategic development of the Vilnius University
• Assoc. Prof. Jurga Lazauskienė. Consulting Lithuanian gowernment and EU strategic sectors in Brussels on the strategic questions of geoscientific development.

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

• Ministry of Environment
• Lithuanian Geological Survey
• Lithuanian Geography Teachers Association
• National Parks of Lithuania.

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

• Advising Lithuanian business leaders on climate change issues.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

• Organization of National and International Geoscience Olympiad 2020.
• Eugenija Rudnickaitė, more than 100 excursions in the Geology museum and Siberian mammoth “Goša” exhibition.
• Kleišmantas’ Teacher Training Seminar: Basics of Mineralogy; exercises: Minerals - Moving, White, Knowledge of Aggregates, 20 February 2020.
• Spiridonov’ Teacher Training Seminar: Paleontology for Knowledge of the World, 20 February 2020.
• Spiridonov’ Radical curiosity. About the beauty, intelligence of dinosaurs which lived on the territory of Lithuania, 10 November 2020.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HYDROGEOLOGY AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 82 78
E-mail:
Head – Assoc. Prof. Dr Gintaras Žaržojus

STAFF

Professor: Dr Habil. Robert Mokrik.
Associate professors: Dr S. Gadeikis, Dr S. Gadeikytė, Dr K. Jokšas (part-time), Dr G. Žaržojus.
Assistant professors: Dr Ž. Skuratovič (part-time), Dr M. Gregorauskas (part-time).
Teaching assistant: V. Samalavičius (part-time).
Researcher: Dr V. Jakimavičiūtė Maselienė (part-time).
Research assistants: V. Samalavičius (part-time), D. Gribulis (part-time).
Lecturer: Dr J. Arustienė (part-time).
Doctoral students: V. Samalavičius, I. Lekstutytė, R. Kanopienė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Assessment of groundwater resources of the Quaternary aquifer system
Baltic artesian basin groundwater flow formation
Regional mathematical flow modelling of pre-quaternary aquifer systems
Isotopes and geochemistry of the groundwater
Investigation of engineering geological conditions of urbanized territories and technogenic loading influence to the geo-environment
Geotechnical properties of natural and filled soils

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Research of the Geoenvironment Changes, Protection and Resources Use. Prof. R. Mokrik, Dr G. Žaržojus.
Investigation of environmental isotopes and noble gases in groundwater of the Baltic Artesian Basin: determination of trace and major elements of groundwater using ICP spectrometric and ion chromatography methods; assessment of groundwater environmental isotopic ages by radioactive isotopes radiocarbon-14, tritium and noble gas isotope ratios of He 4. Modelling of groundwater flow and mass transport processes using MT3D codes GROUNDWATER VISTAS v 6. Solving heat conduction processes according to mesh less numerical scheme as a radial basic function. Engineering geological investigation of soil physical-mechanical properties by static loading, dynamical penetration tests and using laboratory and field tests methods.

International Research Projects

IAEA (Vienna) project CRP F33022 item No. 20467/R0: Integrated Studies of Crustal Permeability Based on Environmental Isotopes, Noble Gases Data and Shallow-Deep Groundwater Mass-Transport Modelling in the Surrounding Area of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. 2016–2020.
Within the Vilnius University and IAEA Research Program F33022 workplan one of the aims for Baltic region was to prepare a new approach of deep aquifer investigation that will be focused on using a wide complex of environmental isotopes, noble gases, groundwater chemistry and hydraulic data via coupled analysis of groundwater flow numerical models. It was revealed that the highest accumulation rates of helium in BAB deep aquifers are located near Baltic Sea coast and islands, lowland areas of lakes or rivers, where groundwater flow is upward discharged, properly from above tightly protected from meteoric water downward leakage and transected by wide low amplitude fault system networks, which are able to reduce or interrupt regional lateral flow path. Radiogenic helium flux from crystalline basement at local level sites have good conditions for accumulation below regional confining aquitard layers system for all beneath placed reservoir traps depending on hydraulic features of aquifers. Due to its atmospheric origin 81Kr pathway should be similar to the modelled particle travel trajectory in the strongly confined aquifer system but it is not so far same order, because the difference between the 81Kr age and particle travel time is significant. Radiokrypton and 4-helium ages differs 2–3 times, because helium generation and distribution pathway in multi-layered aquifer system over time is uncertain caused by changes of ice sheet loading through Pleistocene. Plausible absence of fault fractures zones in numerical model should be reflected that zone geometry and by certain aperture or these barrier parameters for layers.
Final report is in preparation in the field of hydrochemistry and environmental isotopes (radiocarbon, tritium, stable isotopes and noble gases) of the deep groundwater for age’s assessment in the Baltic artesian basin.

Main publication:

Vaikmäe, R., Martma, T., Ivask, J., Kaup, E., Raidla, V., Rajamäe, R., Vallner, L., Mokrik, R., Samalavičius, V., Kalvāns, A., Babre, A., Marandi, A., Hints, O. and Pärn, J. Baltic groundwater isotope-geochemistry database. 2020; doi:10.15152/GEO.488.

Contractual Research

Contractual research of soil and ground geotechnical parameters for soil and rocks physical-mechanical properties of urbanistic sites with Limited JSCs Geotestus, Fugro Baltic, Geoinžinerija, Kelprojektas, Sweco Lietuva.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Lithuania)
Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
IAEA, Vienna (Austria)
Tallinn Technical University (Estonia)
Bern University (Switzerland)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Dr. S. Gadeikis –

• editorial board member of the journal Geologijos akiračiai (Spheres of Geology).

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

• Dr G. Žaržojus – member of Lithuanian Standards Board, Technical committee 59, Geotechnics.

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

• Dr G. Žaržojus – on the approval of project proposals for the south-eastern slope of Gediminas Hill with defensive walls (Phase I, Part 1). A member of expert team - expert.
• Dr G. Žaržojus – conclusions on the public service purchase and sale agreement No. 92 concluded between the Lithuanian National Museum and JSC Hidroterra on 19 August 2019, approval of design proposals for Gediminas Hill slopes, building foundations and engineering networks (Phase II). A member of expert team - expert.
• Dr G. Žaržojus, Dr J. Arustienė, V. Samalavičius - Application of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania 18 June 2020, No. 12-01-886. Preliminary expert assessment of the remediation technology of the contaminated area.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

• G. Žaržojus, D. Gribulis ir V. Samalavičius - science festival “Erdvėlaivis žemė 2020”.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HYDROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY

21/27 M. K. Čiurlionio, LT-01513 Vilnius
Tel. 239 8292
E-mail:
Head – Prof. Dr Egidijus Rimkus

STAFF

Professors: Dr A. Bukantis, Dr E. Rimkus, Dr G. Valiuškevičius.
Associate professors: Dr J. Kažys, Dr D. Pupienis, Dr G. Stankūnavičius, Dr E. Stonevičius.
Assistant professor: Dr R. Linkevičienė (part-time).
Lecturer: Dr J. Liukaitytė-Kukienė (part-time).
Doctoral students: A. Dubikaltienė, D. Grendaitė, D. Karlonienė, J. Kilpys, V. Mačiulytė, I. Marcinonienė, S. Pipiraitė-Januškienė.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Indices of climate change in Lithuania and the response of hydrosphere to the long-term climate fluctuations
Extreme climatic phenomena, climatic resources dynamics and forecasting
Regional anthropogenic climate changes, climate change impact on environment and economy
Use of satellite information for the assessment of hydroclimatic resources
Change and modeling of deposits and morphology of sea shore
Applied and road meteorology, human biometeorology

RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT IN 2020

Projects Supported by University Budget

Use of Satellite Information for the Assessment of Hydroclimatic Resources. Prof. E. Rimkus. 2019–2020.
The main research task is to develop new algorithms and methods to determine snow water equivalent, melting snow water freshwater ice parameters and soil moisture from Sentinel-1 SAR. The ground based freshwater ice, snow cover and soil moisture observations have declined in number over last decades. Satellite remote sensing with large spatial coverage and frequent revisit time might be the most robust replacement of in situ measurements of snow and freshwater ice cover parameters. Up to date satellite information provides new assessment capabilities of environment condition.

Main publication:

Kilpys, J., Pipiraitė-Januškienė, S., Rimkus, E. Snow climatology in Lithuania based on the cloud‐free moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer snow cover product. International Journal of Climatology. 2020, 40(10): 4690–4706.

Study of the Natural and Social Effects of Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region. Prof. A. Bukantis. 2019–2020.
The purpose of the present project was to investigate the potential impact of climate change on nutrient (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) loads from four large-scale river catchments in Lithuania. The impact on nitrogen and phosphorus was chosen because they are the main nutrients responsible for the eutrophication of surface waters including the Baltic Sea. The results indicate a decreasing trend in the stream flow and nutrient loads in most of the studied Lithuanian rivers under the projected climate change.

Investigations of the Effects of Environmental Change on Inland Water Systems. Prof. G. Valiuškevičius. 2019–2020.
In 2020, the mechanism of interrelationships between the regime of inland water bodies and changes in the structure of the terrestrial landscape and ecosystem was studied. The issues of the dependence of water level and temperature of surface water bodies on environmental indicators and the impact on them were considered. Particular attention was paid to the analysis of the influence of the hydrological regime of the Curonian Lagoon on possible changes in the landscape of the Curonian Spit. At the same time, the interface between climate change and fluctuations in groundwater level and rivers runoff in Lithuania was studied.

Main publication:

Taminskas, J., Šimanauskienė, R., Linkevičienė, R., Volungevičius, J., Slavinskienė, G., Povilanskas, R., Satkūnas, J. Impact of hydro-climatic changes on coastal dunes landscape according to normalized difference vegetation index (Case Study of Curonian Spit). Water. 2020, 12: 3234.

Sea Coast Litho-Morpholgy Dynamic and Modelling. Assoc. Prof. D. Pupienis. 2019–2020.
The main results obtained during 2020 have extended the knowledge about the impact of shore nourishment on the coastal landscape transformation. Shore nourishment as a coastal management measure for coast stabilization has been used worldwide since the middle of the 20th century. However, changes in the sand volume and grain size have had an effect on changes in the coastal landscape. It was discovered that the maximum coastal protection effect was achieved in Palanga, where the sand was discharged directly onto the beach. However, by supplying sand that is coarser than the native sand, the coastal landscape underwent greater transformations. At the Giruliai site, other processes were also observed. Only a small part of the unloaded sand reached the coast, thus causing marginal accretion. Also, due to the fact that only sand with a grain size similar to the native sand reached the coastline, the coastal landscape did not undergo any signifcant changes.

Main publication:

Karaliūnas, V., Jarmalavičius, D., Pupienis, D., Janušaitė, R., Žilinskas, G., Karlonienė, D. Shore nourishment impact on coastal landscape transformation. On example of Lithuanian Baltic Sea coast. Journal of Coastal Research. 2020, SI 95: 11–15.

Use of SENTINEL-1 SAR Poliarimetry to Determine Snow and Ice Cover Characteristics. Prof. E. Rimkus. 2019–2020.

The aim of the project is to develop new algorithms for freshwater ice detection and snow water equivalent determination using ESA Sentinel-1 SAR high temporal and spatial resolution polarimetry. Simulation of the microwave scattering in the snowpack using SMRT snowpack model, and the deep learning algorithms to relate the SAR backscattering signal to snow cover characteristics have been used. Project team developed lake and river ice detection algorithms based on the threshold values of SAR single polarization products and classification ice type using H Alpha Wishart and Cloude-Potter dual polarization decomposition methods.

National Research Projects

Research Council of Lithuania project: Framing Climate Change Process in Lithuanian Online Media (No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-20-0026). Funded by EU ESF. J. Kažys. 2020 

International Research Projects

The European space agency PECS (Plan for European Cooperating States) project UniEO (University Course and Public Lectures on Earth Observations). 2019–2020.
J. Kilpys, E. Stonevičius, L. Bevainis, R. Šimanauskienė, L. Jukna.
The main aims of the project were: 1) to prepare the university course and textbook on the remote sensing applications for Earth observations (EO) at Vilnius University (Lithuania) and; 2) to organize public lectures and thematic workshops to raise awareness and increase the capacity of specialists, university students and the general public on the satellite EO applications. The textbook (in Lithuanian) “Earth observations from space” was prepared and published online.

COST activity (CA16209). Natural Flood Retention on Private Land. Dr G. Stankūnavičius. 2017–2020.
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of future flood events, leading to higher costs of flood damages and increasing the public demand for protective measures. Traditional flood protection measures, mainly based on grey infrastructure (i.e. dikes, dams, etc.), are not sufficient to cope with dynamic flood risk alone. Nature-based solutions such as Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) are promising options to mitigate flood risks as a complement to grey infrastructure. These types of measures not only serve to reduce risk; they also provide additional ecosystem services including increased biodiversity and recreation opportunities. However, a common characteristic of green infrastructure measures is that they often claim more land than traditional methods.

COST activity (CA17109). Understanding and Modelling Compound Climate and Weather Events. Dr E. Stonevičius. 2018–2022.
The tasks of activity are: to develop a common understanding of Compound Events; to create awareness in climate and climate impact communities about the inherent modelling challenges associated with Compound Events; to provide complementary training for Early Career Investigators (ECIs) in dynamical modelling, multivariate statistics, and extremes, all inherently relevant for studying Compound Events; to improve stakeholders’ understanding of Compound Events and limitations to modelling these, enabling them to plan more targeted; to improve stakeholders’ awareness of the importance to document physical and/or monetary impacts of Compound Events to foster scientific progress.

Main publication:

Rimkus, E., Mačiulytė, V., Stonevičius, E., Valiukas, D. A revised agricultural drought index in Lithuania. Agricultural and Food Sciences. 2020, 29(4): 359–371.

Contractual Research

Winter Meteorological Index Evaluation Study. Contractor JSC Road Maintenance (no. PU-7157/20). J. Kažys and S. Pipiraitė-Januškienė. 2020.

MAIN R&D&I (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION) PARTNERS

Nature Research Centre (Lithuania)
Klaipėda University (Lithuania)
Lithuanian Energy Institute (Lithuania)
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
Temple University (USA)
Wisconsin University (USA)
Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk (Poland)
Talinn University (Estonia)
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (USA)
Institute for Environment and Sustainability (EC Joint Research Centre)
JSC Road Maintenance (Lithuania)
NGO Lithuanian Fund for Nature (Lithuania)
Government Strategic Analysis Centre (Lithuania)
Institut polytechnique UniLaSalle (France)

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. A. Bukantis –

• editorial board member of the journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management;
• editorial board member of the journal of Water Security (JWS).

Dr E. Kažys –

• editorial board member of the journal International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science (IJEES);
• editorial board member of the journal The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses;
• representative in Lithuania of The European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR).

Dr E. Stonevičius –

• national Correspondent of Euromediterranean Network of Experimental and Representative Basins (ERB).

Dr R. Linkevičienė ‒

• editorial board member of the journal Limnological Review (Polish Limnological Society).

Dr D. Pupienis –

• member of the elite International Sediment Club (ISC).

BEST REPORTS DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES ABROAD

• Rimkus E., Stonevičius E., Valiukas D., Mačiulytė V. Definition of droughts and their recurrence in Lithuania. 3rd Baltic Earth conference Earth System Science for the Baltic Sea Region. Online conference (Poland), 2–3 June 2020.
• Mačiulytė V., Stankūnavičius G. Agrothermal changes in 1961–2018 in Lithuania. 3rd Baltic Earth conference Earth System Science for the Baltic Sea Region. Online conference (Poland), 2–3 June 2020.
• Šimanauskienė R., Linkevičienė R., Taminskas J., Povilanskas R. Coastal dunes ecosystems change according to normalized difference vegetation index (the case study of Curonian Lagoon). 3rd Baltic Earth conference Earth System Science for the Baltic Sea Region. Online conference (Poland), 2–3 June 2020.
• Kažys J. Framing climate change process in Lithuanian online media. 8th International Conference on Sustainable Development ICSD2020. ECSDEV, online (Italy), 9–10 September 2020.

MOST IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION CASES OF RESEARCHERS IN WORKING GROUPS OR COMMISSIONS SET UP BY STATE AUTHORITIES, STATE AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES

• Prof. A. Bukantis - member of National Committee on Climate Change.
• Dr J. Liukaitytė-Kukienė - member of Interservice Working Group on Heat Effects Prevention.
• Dr J. Kažys – member of Interservice Working Group on Heat Effects Prevention.
• Dr J. Kažys – expert member of STRATA in Lithuania’s Progress Strategy – Lithuania 2050.
• Dr J. Kažys. Evaluator of ES H2020 EASME/B/02 projects (first stage).

CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE UNIT TO THE PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC ENTITIES

• Ministry of Environment
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Lithuanian Geography Teachers’ Association
• Curonian Spit National Park
• Advising Lithuanian business leaders on climate change issues.

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

• More than 100 interviews, radio and TV broadcasts;
• More than 30 public lectures;
• More than 10 excursions to meteorological station at VU.