Dr Basilios Tsikouras

basilios.tsikouras@ubd.edu.bn

Professor, Faculty of Science and Director, Office of AVC (Research)



                         

- Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology, Geosciences, Faculty of Science
- Director of Research, Office of Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research), UBD
- Deputy Dean (Graduate Studies & Research) Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (2017-2020)
- Over 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals, Proceedings of International Conferences and Books.
- Established and manages the Laboratory of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry (MPG), Faculty of Science, UBD
- Principal Investigator of 15 Projects sponsored by International funds and private sector; member of the Research Team in 9 international Projects.
- Joint research collaborations with scientists from Canada, Austria, Italy, USA and Greece.
- Reviewer for 40 international journals
- Editor-in-Chief: ASEAN Journal of Science and Technology for Development, 2023-present
- Member of the Editorial Board of:
Minerals (MDPI)
Global Journal of Earth Science and Engineering
- Associate Editor:
Clay Minerals (Cambridge University Press), 2021
- Guest Editor:
Frontiers in Earth Science. Special Issue: Frontiers in Southeast Asian Geosciences, Volume II, 2022
Frontiers in Earth Science. Special Issue: Frontiers in Southeast Asian Geosciences, 2020
Minerals (MDPI). Special Issue: Emerging Insights into Serpentinites, 2020
Geosciences (MDPI). Special Issue: Selected Papers from the 1st International Congress on Earth Sciences, in SE Asia, 2018
Geosciences (MDPI). Special Issue: Petrogenesis of Ophiolites, 2017
- Chairperson of the Alumni Society of the Department of Geology, University of Patras.
- Member of the Geological Society of Greece.
- Member of the Atlantic Geoscience Society
- Member of the Committee of Economic Geology, Mineralogy & Geochemistry of the Geological Society of Greece
- Member of the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece
- Member of the "Association for the Study of Marble and Other Stones used In Antiquity".

- Honour: 2019, the International Mineralogical Association approved the name tsikourasite for a new mineral (Commission of New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association No. 2018-156) to honour my contribution to ore mineralogy and mineral deposits of ophiolite complexes; Tsikourasite, Mo3Ni2P1+x (x < 0.25), a New Phosphide from the Chromitite of the Othrys Ophiolite, Greece, by Federica Zaccarini, Luca Bindi, Elena Ifandi, Tassos Grammatikopoulos, Chris Stanley, Giorgio Garuti, and Daniela Mauro, Minerals, 9, 248; doi:10.3390/min9040248.

EDUCATION

BSc in Geology - University of Patras, Greece, 1986
PhD in Geology - University of Patras Greece, 1992

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Soil and Environmental Geochemistry
Petrogenetic Processes in Ophiolites
Formation of Abiotic Methane in Serpentinites
Quality Assessment of Aggregates and Industrial Minerals
Genesis of Chromitites and Associated Platinum Group Minerals
Studies on Asbestos Minerals and Fibers
Archaeometric Studies with Emphasis on Evaluation and Provenance of Stone Implements and Building Stones

FUTURE PROJECTS

Petrogenesis of Ophiolite Suites in Borneo Island and Comparisons with the Zambales (Philippines) and Othrys (Greece) Ophiolites: Possible implications on the Genesis of Abiotic Methane

Ophiolites represent remnants of the Earth's Upper Mantle and Oceanic Crust. Knowledge of their geotectonic evolution and petrogenesis are considered as fundamental keys to the reconstruction of the Earth's history and geotectonic evolution, as they comprise huge and important parts of the Earth's interior. Recently, it has been suggested that these rocks are responsible for the production and exhalation of methane of abiotic origin, which is a theme of growing interest. The present study deals with the detailed investigation of the Borneo ophiolite suite, aiming to unravel the complex geological history of Borneo Island with several implications on the geological development of Malaysia. Geological mapping in certain areas of interest in the Sabah region (Pulau Malawali, Kundasang, Ranau, Telupid, Beluran, please see map provided), collection and preparation of specimens, as well as their thorough microscopic investigation, employing polarising and Scanning Electron Microscope techniques, will be performed. Gas emissions from the ophiolite will be analysed, in order to test the hypothesis for the production of abiotic methane. The proposed research aims at: (i) unraveling the genesis and evolution of the Ancient Mantle and Oceanic Crust of the area of Borneo from the acquisition of data during a thorough petrological investigation, and (ii) investigating the role of these rocks in the formation of the unconventional production of abiotic methane.


Applications Invited
PhD; MSc

A Pilot Geochemical Atlas for Resource Exploration and Environmental Management in the Brunei-Muara District, Brunei Darussalam

Geochemical mapping of large regions is a challenge for applied geoscientists as it is a fundamental tool for the exploration of a plethora of Earth resources, as well as for environmental monitoring and land management. For this reason, regional-, national- and global-scale geochemical mapping projects have been carried out in various countries the last decades (e.g. Geochemical Map of Europe, USA, large regions of Africa, etc.).. The current project is proposed to cover the District of Brunei-Muara as a first effort to construct a similar Atlas in Brunei Darussalam. The area is dominated by sedimentary formations of Miocene to Quaternary age and characterised by various geological units, which have been accumulated from the discharge of ancient and modern rivers and their interaction with a marine environment. A large number of samples will be collected and analysed in order to highlight potential geochemical organic and inorganic anomalies. Subsequent interpretation of these anomalies will lead to implications regarding: (i) the potential existence of economic resources, (ii) environmental applications (e.g. biosorbents of pollutants, waste filters), iii) adverse environmental impacts (anthropogenic and natural) and the consequences to public health, and (iv) the provenance of the sediments and consequently the geological history of Brunei Darussalam.


Applications Invited
PhD; MSc

The Last 10,000 Years: Unravelling the Holocene Geological and Ecological History of Brunei Darussalam by Decoding Peatlands

Tropical peatlands are under stress worldwide and Brunei Darussalam hosts some of the last undisturbed ones in the world. They require special attention and environmental protection, as they are significant sinks and sources of carbon and freshwater but above all they comprise important ecosystems governing the biodiversity of Borneo. The Project aims at investigating the stratigraphic structure of peatlands in Brunei Darussalam, in an effort to obtain geological, and palaeoecological information from them. This will enable us to unravel the recent geological and ecological history of Brunei Darussalam for the first time with a high scale of resolution. The Project also aims to increase awareness of the natural heritage of Brunei Darussalam and to guide the necessary actions for integrated environmental protection including the conservation of some endangered plant species. We will use modern techniques and science for environmental management. A well-designed methodology will eventually result in the production of a series of maps, which will include the geological and ecological data to be used for future conservation and research activities.


Applications Invited
PhD; MSc

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

- Al Shaaibi, M., Ali, J., Tsikouras, B. & Masri, Z. (2023): Environmental radioactivity assessment of the Brunei Darussalam coastline of the South China Sea.-Environmental Pollution, 323, 121288.
- Ifandi, E., Lai, D.T.C., Kalaitzidis, S., Abu Bakar, M.S., Grammatikopoulos, T., Lai, C.K. & Tsikouras, B. (2023): Noble metal catalyst detection in rocks using machine-learning: The future to low-cost, green energy materials?.-Scientific Reports, 13
- Marschall, D.J. & Tsikouras, B. (2023): Clay-shielded estuarine gastropods are better protected against environmental acidification than unshielded individuals.-Science of the Total Environment, 866, 161367
- Omar, M.S., Ifandi, E., Sukri, R.S., Kalaitzidis, S., Christanis, K., Lai, D.T.C., Bashir, S. & Tsikouras, B. (2022): Peatlands in Southeast Asia: A comprehensive geological review.-Earth-Science Reviews, 232, 104149.
- Rumbiak, U., Lai, C.-K., Al Furqan, R., Rosana, M., Yuningsih, E., Tsikouras B., Ifandi E., Abdul Malik A.I.A. & Chen H. (2022): Geology, alteration geochemistry, and exploration geochemical mapping of the Ertsberg Cu-Au-Mo district in Papua, Indonesia.-Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 232, 106889.
- Sideridis, A., Tsikouras, B., Tsitsanis, P., Koutsovitis, P., Zaccarini, F., Hauzenberger, C., Tsikos, H. & Hatzipanagiotou, K., (2022): Post-magmatic processes recorded in bimodal chromitites of the East Chalkidiki meta-ultramafic bodies, Gomati and Nea Roda, Northern Greece.-Frontiers in Earth Science, 10, 1031239
- Zaccarini, F., Economou-Eliopoulos, M., Kiseleva, O., Garuti, G., Tsikouras, B., Pushkarev, E. & Idrus, A. (2022): Platinum Group Elements geochemistry, mineralogy and economic potential of (Rh-Pt-Pd) rich chromitite from ophiolite complexes.-Minerals, 12, 1565.
- Lai, C.K., Xia, X.P., Hall, R., Meffre, S., Tsikouras, B., Balangue-Tarriela, R.M.I., Idrus, A., Ifandi, E. & Norazme, N.A. (2021): Cenozoic evolution of the Sulu Sea arc-basin system: An overview.-Tectonics, 40, e2020TC006630
- Sideridis, A., Zaccarini, F., Koutsovitis, P., Grammatikopoulos, T., Tsikouras, B., Garuti, G. & Hatzipanagiotou, K. (2021): Chromitites from the Vavdos ophiolite (Chalkidiki, Greece): Petrogenesis and geotectonic settings; constrains from spinel, olivine composition, PGE mineralogy and geochemistry.-Ore Geology Reviews, 137, 104289.

TOP PUBLICATIONS

- Ifandi, E., Lai, D.T.C., Kalaitzidis, S., Abu Bakar, M.S., Grammatikopoulos, T., Lai, C.K. & Tsikouras, B. (2023): Noble metal catalyst detection in rocks using machine-learning: The future to low-cost, green energy materials?.-Scientific Reports, 13
- Tsikouras, B., Lai, C.K., Ifandi, E., Norazme, N.A., Teo, C.H. & Xia, X.P. (2021): New zircon radiometric U/Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopic data from the ultramafic-mafic sequences of Ranau and Telupid (Sabah, east Malaysia): Time to reconsider the geological evolution of SE Asia?-Geology, 49, 789–793. - Etiope, G., Ifandi, E., Nazzari, M., Procesi, M., Tsikouras, B., Ventura, G., Steele, A., Tardini, R., & Szatmari, P. (2018): Widespread abiotic methane in chromitites.-Scientific Reports, 8, 8728.
- Tsikouras, B., Karipi, S. & Hatzipanagiotou, K. (2013): Evolution of rodingites along stratigraphic depth in the Iti and Kallidromon ophiolites (Central Greece).-Lithos, 175-176, 16-29.
- Tsikouras, B. , Pe-Piper, G., Piper, D.J.W., Schaffer, M. (2011): Varietal heavy mineral analysis of sediment provenance, Lower Cretaceous Scotian Basin, eastern Canada.-Sedimentary Geology, 237, 150-165.

GRANT DETAILS

• 01/12/2019-30/11/2022: “The Last 10,000 Years: Unravelling the Holocene Geological and Ecological History of Brunei Darussalam by Decoding Peatlands” Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Principal Investigator).
• 01/09/2019-31/08/2021: “Igneous Rocks as Source and Sink of Abiotic Hydrocarbons and CO2” Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.) (Member of the Research Team).
• 01/04/2017-31/05/2020: “A Pilot Geochemical Atlas for Resource Exploration and Environmental Management in the Brunei-Muara District, Brunei Darussalam”, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Principal Investigator).
• 01/06/2018-31/05/2020: “Biomonitoring Acidification in Coastal Waters of Brunei”, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Member of the Research Team).
01/02/2015-31/01/2018: “Petrogenesis of Ophiolite Suites in Borneo Island and Comparisons with the Zambales (Philippines) and Othrys (Greece) Ophiolites: Possible Implications for the Genesis of Abiotic Methane”, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Principal Investigator).
01/09/2014-31/08/2016: “Hydrocarbons and CO2 Evolution in Mafic and Ultramafic Rocks”, Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.; Contract n. 0050.0089799.14.2) (Member of the Research Team).
01/09/2012-31/08/2014: “Low Temperature Methanation in Geologic Environments”, Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.; Contract n. 0050.0073814.12.2) (Member of the Research Team).
03/04/2011-03/04/2019: “Research of the Mineralogical, Petrographic and Geochemical Properties of Industrial Rocks in Greece, Pointing Towards the Development of their Applications and their Quality Improvement”, GEOTERRA S.A. (Principal Investigator).
01/09/2010-31/08/2013: “Mineralisation, Stable Isotopes and Study of the Quaternany Palaeoclimatic Evolution of Greece Through the Study of Greek Speleothems”, IRAKLEITOS II Project, European Social Fund and Greek Ministry of Education (Principal Investigator).
20/06/2011-20/06/2012: “Petrographic Characterisation of Stone Implements and Tools, from the Archaeological Excavation at Apesokari, Crete Island, Greece”, Aegeus-Society for Aegean Prehistory and Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP) (Principal Investigator).
25/08/2011-01/03/2012: “Investigation of the Mineralogical-Petrographic Properties of Rocks and their Evaluation for Use in Ornamental Applications”, P. POLITIS GP. (Principal Investigator).
24/10/2011-24/11/2011: “Investigation and Measurements for the Element Occurrence in the Area of Fire Range of Paleochori, Ilia Prefecture”, HELLENIC AIRFORCE (Principal Investigator).
2007-2010: “Geological and Mineral-Petrographic Study of Dioritic-Granodioritic Rocks from East Crete, Aiming to the Investigation of Provenance of Stone Implements and Tempers in Ceramics of Minoan Age from the area of Mirabello Bay”, “Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP)” (Principal Investigator).
2007-2010: Correlation of Mineralogical-Petrographic and Physicomechanical Properties of Carbonate Rocks from the Aetoloakarnania Prefecture and their Evaluation for Industrial Uses, University of Patras, Research Committee, Caratheodore Programme (Principal Investigator).
2008-2009: Study of Asbestos Mineral Phases in Aggregates from Ophiolitic Rocks from Mikrokleisoura Area, Grevena Prefecture, LATOMEIA VOURKA S.A. (Principal Investigator).
21/03/2008-20/11/2008: Study of Asbestos Minerals in Aggregates from Ophiolitic Rocks and their Evaluation for their Use, from Polykastron Area, Kilkis Prefecture, LITHOS S.A. TERNA S.A. (Principal Investigator).
2006-2007: Petrographic Characterization of Rocks Pointing to the Investigation of Provenance of Minoan Stone Implements Excavated from the area of Mirabello Bay (NE Crete), Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP) (Principal Investigator).
2003-2007: Study of Utilization of Mafic and Ultramafic Ophiolitic Rocks for their Use as Marbles, Anti-skid Aggregates and Fire-resistant Materials, PYTHAGORAS, European Social Fund, Operational Programme for Educational and Vocational Training 2 (Member of the Research Team).
2003-2006: Investigation of PGE (Cu-Ni) and Mineral Processing in the Ophiolite Rocks of Greece, with Emphasis on Chromites, University of Patras, Research Committee, Caratheodore Programme” (Member of the Research Team).
September 2004-January 2005: Geological, Mineralogical and Petrographic Study of Dolerites for their Use as Aggregates from Mikrokleisoura, Grevena Prefecture, LATOMEIA VOURKA S.A. (Principal Investigator).
2004: Study of Altered Rocks from Central Greece, Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (I.G.M.E.) (Member of the Research Team).
2002-2005: Plagiogranites: Comparative Study of Experimental and Natural Data from the Hellenic Region, University of Patras, Research Committee, Caratheodore Programme (Principal Investigator).
January 2002: Mineralogic, Petrographic Recognition and Origin of Rocks from a Shipwreck Ballast from Zakynthos Island, Ministry of Civilization (Member of the Research Team).
1998-2001: Geologic-Petrologic-Geochemical-Isotopic Study of the Ophiolites from the Koziakas and Iti Ranges: Geotectonic Significance and Paleogeographic Incorporation in the Broad Alpine, SE Mediterranean Ophiolites, University of Patras, Research Committee, Caratheodore Programme (Member of the Research Team).
1994-1996: Extraction of Alumina (Al2O3) from the Kaolinites of Milos Island, Ministry of Research and Technology (Member of the Research Team).
1992-1994: The Ophiolites of Samothraki and Lesvos: Geotectonic significance and potential metalliferous exploitation, Ministry of Research and Technology (Member of the Research Team).

CONSULTANCY

Determination of the genuineness and approximation of the value of mineral and fossil specimens from His Majesty's of Brunei Darussalam collection for the purposes of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Gallery

Hazard risk assessment of the asbestos fibers occurring in ultramafic rocks used as aggregates

Evaluation of quality of rocks for industrial applications

Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration

- Hazard Risk Assessment of Asbestos Fibres and Minerals
- Quality Assesment of Industrial MInerals and Rocks
- Investigation of Reactions in Ophiolite Rocks Capable to Produce Methane via Abiotic Synthesis
- Proposal of New Methods in the Investigation and Prediction of the In-service Engineering Performance of Rocks in Industrial and Environmental Applications
- Application of Mineralogical-Petrographic-Geochemical Methods for the investigation of Archaeometric Problems