International Conference

A TRIBUTE TO STAN HALAS AND 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LABORATORY OF ISOTOPE GEOLOGY AND GEOECOLOGY

WROCŁAW, 9 -11 May 2023

Stan Hałas Biography

Stan Hałas was born on 9 July 1945 in Stryjów village (Poland). His first degree in the field of physics he achieved in 1968 at Marie Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin. In 1973 Stan Hałas finished Ph.D. and became a Professor in 1992. In 1968 he decided to remain in Lublin and through the next almost 50 years his scientific career was related to Marie-Curie Sklodowska University.

Prof. Stan Hałas was one of the most appreciated authors who published over 250 papers in the fields of mass spectrometry, geochemistry, isotopes, geochronology and was included in 24 original patents. During his abundant career, he was involved in collaboration with many national and foreign research institutions. He was also in command of several scientific societies. He is also known as a co-founder of the European Society for Isotope Research and a specialist of the European Geoscience Union. One of the greatest achievements of Prof. Stan Hałas is the development of the Department of Mass Spectrometry as a part of the Institute of Physics at Marie-Curie Sklodowska University in Lublin. The invention of modern, progressive analytical methods in the field of light isotope ratios allowed The Department to introduce into the group of the world’s finest laboratories.

As a gratitude for his impact on polish science, Prof. Stan Hałas was awarded The Order of Polonia Restituta, The Gold Cross of Merit, and The Order of Commission of National Education.

The Laboratory of Isotope Geology and Geoecology

The Laboratory of Isotope Geology and Geoecology was established on 3 May 1992 due to the relentless efforts of Dr. Mariusz Jędrysek and the assistance of Prof. Alfred Majerowicz and Bernadeta Doroszko. At the very outset, the establishment of The Laboratory was funded by its supervisor – Dr. Mariusz Jędrysek, followed by grants, collaboration with foreign institutions, and probably most importantly by Prof. Stan Hałas. He shared the BL8 pump which allowed to create first vacuum line in the Laboratory. The line was initiated in July 1992 after additional funds from Prof. Mieczysław Pazdur. The Laboratory of Isotope Geology and Geoecology is the first type of research unit amongst all faculties of earth sciences of polish academies. After 30 years of activity, today it is equipped with the world’s top-ranked apparatus, including several mass spectrometry. At the turn of 2020 and 2021, The Lab was re-equipped with Picarro CRDS analyzers to CO2, CH4 and N2O concentrations analyzes, isotopic compositions of oxygen and hydrogen in water, carbon in CO2 and CH4 and nitrogen, and oxygen in N2O. All new apparatus is highly advanced and include different analytical methods, which is why conventional vacuum lines are being slowly withdrawn.

Over 30 years The Laboratory allowed many bachelor's and master’s to graduate, including 14 PhDs and 1 habilitation. Every promoted Ph.D.’s became a specialist in their field and is being hired in significant industrial or scientific centers around the world.

Papers published by The Laboratory of Isotope Geology and Geoecology throughout the years include issues from conventional geology (petrology and isotope geology of mafic-ultramafic rocks) to isotope records of global/regional variations in the natural environment, biogeochemical cycles, mechanisms of methanogenesis, monitoring soil surface and geology of brown coal basins.