ADRIANO MAZZINI

I am a Researcher in marine geology, geophysics and sedimentary geology at the Physics of Geological Processes Centre of Excellence (University of Oslo).

Since 2005 I moved to Oslo to focus on mud volcanism dynamics during dormant and active stage and hydrocarbon plumbing systems.

Since 1997 I have been partcipant and leader on ca. 40 onshore and offshore expeditions discovering and studying mud volcanoes, deep water-reefs and hydrocarbon plumbing systems and authigenic carbonate precipitation throughout the globe. I combine field observations from various settings (e.g. Azerbaijan, Trinidad, Crimea, Indonesia, Italy, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and Norwegian Sea) with laboratory analyses on fluids, sediment and rocks collected at seepage sites. I integrate studies on offshore near subsurface hydrocarbon plumbing systems where authigenic carbonates precipitation coupled with methane seepage and microbial activity occur (e.g. pockmarks, mud volcanoes, diapiric structures).

Currently I am also working on palaeoclimate events connected to Large Igneous Provinces combining chemostratigraphy studies of black shales from Argentina with intrusive rocks from South Africa.

Another project I focus on is the primary migration of hydrocarbon fluids from source rocks on samples of organic-rich sequences collected from UK, South Africa, Siberia, Taman Peninsula.

Main research interests and projects:

 
The Lusi mud volcano (Indonesia): geochemistry and triggering scenarios
Collaborators: H. Svensen, S. Planke, G. Akhmanov

Mud volcanism in Azerbaijan and the origin of emitted fluids and gases
Collaborators: H. Svensen, S. Planke, G. Akhmanov, I. Gulyev

 Mud volcanism on Mars: terrestrial analogues and formational scenarios
Collaborators: J. Skinner, E. Kite

Pockmark formation, gas hydrates and seep carbonate geochemistry, offshore Norway
Collaborators: H. Svensen, S. Planke, M. Ivanov

Mud volcanism and authigenic carbonates in the Black Sea: the subsurface plumbing system
Collaborators: M. Ivanov

Gas venting, global climate changes and mass extinctions. Early Jurassic chemostratigraphy and dating of shale in the Neuquen Basin in Argentina
Collaborators: H. Svensen, S. Planke, F. Corfu, H. Leanza.

Mechanisms of primary migration of hydrocarbon fluids from source rocks
Collaborators: P. Meakin, B. Jamtveit, A. Malthe-Sørenssen, F. Renard and D. K. Dysthe

West Porcupine Bank: a dynamic setting for deep-water coral mounds development and carbonate-phosphate deposits
Collaborators: A. Akhmetzhanov, X. Monteys, M. Ivanov

 March 2005 - present: Researcher at Physics and Geological Processes (PGP, University of Oslo) focussing on dynamics of mud volcanism and hydrocarbon seepage systems, palaeoclimate changes, hydrocarbon fluid migration from source roks.

April 2004: Ph.D. in Marine Geology, University of Aberdeen, Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology. Thesis: "Methane-related authigenic carbonates: implications for hydrocarbon plumbing systems". Supervisors: Prof. John Parnell and Dr Bryan Cronin

1997-2000: QC-Geophysicist for Baker Hughes-Western Geophysical onshore and offshore:

• 3D seismic data interpretation; QCing during acquisition and processing of all the phases of an offshore survey, from raw data to full migration, team leader and trainer for new employees
• Cables deployment strategy, beck deck operations
• Fast Rescue Boat and onboard Rescue Team, CMV operations

ACQUIRED SKILLS

Computer skills: Unix language, Omega (seismic data processing), MIDAS-PDL (survey logging software), Robotic library administrator,  various graphic programs.

Languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish (conversational)

Acoustic data interpretation: sidescan sonar systems, sub-bottom profiler, air gun high resolution and deep seismics, multibeam

Laboratory analyses: grain-size, carbonate content, clay minerals, carbon/oxygen isotopes, standard petrography, XRD, SEM, cathodoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, UV light and fluid inclusion microthermometry and microscopy

Bottom sampling techniques: grab, piston corer, gravity corer, box corer, Kasten corer, dredge, CTD Rosette sampler, submarine TV camera survey

Management of coring operation and leadership of interpretation teams on several research cruises. Collation and editing of cruise reports

COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS

March 1999: IBM-AIX Course (Marine Systems Administration for workstations) Isleworth, UK

February 1999: HSE Management Course (Safety Management Systems, Isleworth, UK)

December 1998: MIDAS-PDL Course (Marine Integrated Data Acquisition System-Prospect Data Logger; data management & QC system for marine streamer operations, Houston-Texas, U.S.A.).

September 1998: FRC Course (Fast Rescue Boat-Maritime Rescue International; Design, Propulsion and Operations of Fast Rescue Boats (practical and theory), Stonehaven UK).

March 1998: Omega Workshop Course (OMEGA Data Processing; Omega 1.7.1.3 Class for data processing of marine and land seismic data on work-stations, Isleworth, UK).

January 1998: SEIS1 Course (Safety & Management for Marine Seismic Personnel; survival techniques on sea; fire fighting techniques; first aid techniques, Maritime Centre Warsash, UK).

Other qualifications: Cadet instructor of sailing, International diving patent of 1st level, Caving patent of 1st level, International crane driver patent.

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