Geological Survey Department - GSD (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment)

Research Infrastructure (RI) Name: Geological Survey Department – GSD (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment)

Website: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/gsd
Mission: The safeguard of the public interest thought the identification, the exploitation and protection of mineral and groundwater resources, the investigation and assessment of the geological environment and geohazards, the monitoring and assessment of seismicity, the investigation of the foundation conditions, the protection and promotion of sites of geological and mining heritage and the production and dissemination of unbiased geo-information to society.
Objective:
- The detailed geological mapping of Cyprus and, generally, the study of its geological structure, and the structure of its broader geographical region
- The search, location and control of quantitative and qualitative sufficiency and the contribution towards the sustainable development of mineral resources at an equilibrium with the natural environment
- The research, study, development, observation and protection of underground water resources, as well as the meeting of the water needs with subsurface water
- The study of ground pollution and the contribution to the definition, the administration and the rehabilitation of the polluted areas.
- The granting of the necessary geological services for the safe construction of the State development projects
- The conducting of studies for the protection of the natural and build up environment from geo-dangers (earthquakes, landslides, sink holes etc.)
- The recording, evaluation and study of the seismic activity in Cyprus and in the marine area that surrounds it and the assessment of their seismic hazard
- The development of co operations with other research Institutes in Cyprus and abroad in the framework, mainly of European Programmes
- The dissemination of the knowledge wealth of the Department to the society via editions, publications, scientific events and other related activities.
Research Services provided: The Geological Survey Department is the technical adviser of the state for all geo-matters. Main activities of its research infrastructure include the provision of analytical services for geological samples, ground water, soil, rocks, minerals and construction materials. Services include analyses for pH, conductivity, anions, cations, alkalinity, major and trace elements, stable isotopes, soluble chlorides, total sulphur and acid soluble sulphur, total carbon and determination of minerals, particle size distribution, particle density, water absorption, methylene blue test, sand equivalent test, triaxial test, oedometer test and hydrometer test in soils and aggregates. A thin sectioning service is provided for rocks and soil samples.
Main equipment used: Spectrometers (UV-Vis, ICP-OES, Laser CRD, XRF) Flame photometer, C-S analyser, X-Ray Diffractometers, pycnometer scales, Triaxial system, Cutting and thinning machine.