Conference, 25-29 May 2010, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia.

1. Conference, 25-29 May 2010, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia. The State for Spherule Research in Albania and their Role to the Environment Geosciences Institute, Polytechnical University of Tirana Prof. Dr. Jakup HOXHAJ, Dr. Fatbardha CARA Albania Geological Survey Prof.as. Dr. Hasan KULIÇI Indipedent Comission of Kosova Minning and Geology Dr. Shehribane Abazi Contact:

2. A. Spherulites are terrestrial and extraterrestrial bodies with different forme and origine. The main genetic types of spherules are: • Impact spherules Spherules issued from impacts of crater producing meteorites, as dissipated melt. II. Extraterrestrial spherules 1. Spherules born from exploded meteorites in the high atmosphere. 2. Interplanetary dust spherules. 3. Interstellar dust spherules III. Terrestrial spherules 1.Volcanic spherules. Very poorly investigated type, however, potential tools for regional and world-wide correlation. 2. Spherules of diagenetic origine. Possible tools for regional correlation. 3. Spherules of biogenic origine, no tools for geological correlation. 4. Spherules of industrial origine (flying ashes etc.). In this case the connection with the atmospherical pollution is obvious.

3. B.In the last hundred years microscopic spheroid or deformed spheroid objects were found in various geological formations by micromineralogists and micropaleontologists 1. The scientists have given them names, as: “spherules”, “microspherules”, “spherulites”, “spherolites”, “micrometeorites”, etc. 2. It refers to the three main types of spherulites: iron, silicate and iron-silicate that are identical with the three main types of meteorites. 3. The diameter of the spherulites ranges between 1mm-1000mm. 4. The first step in the world-wide investigations is to find reliable methods to distinguish the various genetic types. 5. It seems that the impact and extraterrestrial types would be the global tools for correlation, because the related events are globaly detected.

4. C. First instrumental spherule results in Albanide • a. For the first time, year 1997, are found spherules in Albania from 25 Albanian rock samples collected at the lowland of Adriatic see have been examined to the Plio-Quaternary deposition in Kopliku Region. • b. Holocene samples have no spherule content. • c. We have found 9 black, rounded, magnetic spherules in the Pleistocene age samples. • d. Pliocene samples have remarkable spherule content, 21 magnetic and 2 glassy spherules have been found in the samples. • e. Together also can be found in the Pliocene age samples: g a s t r o p o d e , b i v a l v o r , d e n t a l i u m e , p t e r o p o d (macrofauna) and f o r a m i n i f e r (mikrofauna). some species: p e c t i n a t a p l i a s t i e n s i s , f l a b i l l i p e c t e n b o s n i a s c k i i e t c. • f. According to these forms was determined the Piaçensiane and Astiane age, belonging to the 2 facies: clay-silt (piaçensiane) and sand - sandstone (astiana).

5. D. Other posibility spherule results in the Gashi Region. • Gashi zone is the facial structure unit, component part of Albanide. • It encludes four formations. They are: • 1. Sedimentary-volcano formation of Çeremi (S11-2-D11). • 2. Gabro-granodioritic formation of Trokuzi (D2-P1). • 3. Volcano-sedimentary formation of Rupa-Sylbica (P2). • 4. Conglomerate-sandstone quartzous formation of Kershi i Vujkut-Qafa e Ali Çeles (T1). • The age of these formations was determined by the conodonts, stratigraphical position and spherule results

6. Scheme of the formational separation of Gashi Region. • Sedimentary-volcano formation (S11-2), 2. Gabro-granodioritic formation (D2-P1), 3-Volcano-sedimentary formation (P2), 4. Conglomerate-sandstone quarzous formation (T11), 5. Flysch formation of Alpe Zone (Cr2m).

7. E. The state of Albania Spherule Research • ●Albanides are a component part of the Apennine-Dinaride-Albanide-Helenide chain, which build up the southern part of the Mediterranean Alpine orogenic belt. • ● They are characterised by a vast development of the carbonate, terrigenous and evaporitic formation as well as by the powerfully development of the magmata’s mostly ophiolitic one. • ● The strike of geological structures is NW - SE, showing asymmetric folds, generally reversed to west. • ● Thrusting tectonics is the main structural feature of Albanides.

8. F. Spherule research possibility in Permian-Triassic, Triassic–Jurassic and Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in Albanides. • ● An overview of the geology, Sazani Zone, Jonian Zone, Kruja Zone, Krasta - Cukali Zone, Alpe Zone, Mirdita Zone, Korabi Zone, Gashi Zone, Albanian - Thesalian inner basin, The pre-Adriatic depression, • ● The question of the future: the posibility to find the spherules? • ● For four years (1996-1999) we have collected 438 samples from the sediments in Albania for the spherule research. • ● We have also 50 thin sections from these Albanian sediments for the paleontological and sedimentological correlations. • ● After discussion with the hungarian participation’s of the IGCP 384 it seems that the deep neritic, pelagic and bathial sediments are the best for spherule correlation horizons.

9. G. The Cenomanian-Turonian boundary in Albania and the possibility for the spherule research. • ● The Albanides are derived into External Zones, showing a continuous sedimentation ranging from Trias to Eocene, and Internal Zones that include the Mirdita ophiolites, which were folded during the Jurassic and Cretaceous tectonic phases. • ● There is Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian boundary) in some Albania Geological Zones. • ● Turonian-Senonian age, thickness 80-150 m, conglomerate, in the Korabi Zone. Senomanian age, limestone, thickness 100-180 m, • ● In the Mirdita Zone, and Turonian-Senonian, compact limestone too. Cenomanian-Turonian, thicknees 50 m, sharly limestone, in the Alpe zone. Cenonomanian limestone of Kruja Zone. • ● Cenomanian-Turonian, crystalline limestone and laminated limestone of Jonike Zone, 250-350 m. thickness. Limestone of Turonian-Senonian age in the Sazani Zone.

10. H. Some photos from the Spherules Research Aktivity

11. I. The main references about the Spherule Research in Albania ● Csaba H. Detre. 1994: “Spherulites-New Tool for Global Geological and Planetological Correlation”. International Meeting (micrometeorite) in the Carpathian Basin.Budapest, 31 October-1 November. ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F. 1996: “Albanian Spherule Research. Albanian-Hungarian co-operation in the framework of IGCP 384”. “Impact and Extraterrestrial Spherules” Budapest, Hungary. (in Albanian and English). ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F., Spaho M., David A., Dudas G. 1997: “The First Results of the Albanian Spherule Research”, në anglisht. IGCP 384, Working Group Meeting, 25-27 February 1997. Debrecen, Hungary. Geological Institute of Hungary. ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F. 1997: “The First Instrumental Results of Plio-Pleistocene`s Spherules in Albania”, në anglisht. IGCP Projekt 384 “Impact and Extraterrestrial Spherules” International Symposium, July 1-5, Tallinn, Estonia. Geological Institute of Hungary. Institute of Geology, Tallinn, Estoni. ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F. 1997: “Results of the Albania Spherules Research in Gashy Region”, në anglisht. IGCP Projekt 384 “Impact and Extraterrestrial Spherules”. International Symposium, July 1-5, Tallinn, Estonia. Geological Institute of Hungary. Institute of Geology, Tallinn, Estoni. ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F. 1997: “Sferulitet dhe Roli i tyre në Mjedis”. 2 faqe, në shqip. 17-18 Nentorë, Tiranë. Konferenca e dytë kombëtare “Rreziqet gjeologjike dhe mjedisi. Shoqata Shqiptare e Gjeologeve Inxhinierik dhe e Gjeoambjentit. ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F., Solt P., Don G. 1998: “Spherule Research Possibility in Permian-Triassic, Triassic-Jurassic and Cretaceous-Tertiary in Albanide”, në anglisht. IGCP Projekt 384 “Impact and Extraterrestrial Spherules: new tools for global correlaton” Working group meeting, 27 September-4 October, Budapest, Hungary. Geological Institute of Hungary. ● Hoxhaj J., Cara F. 1999: “On the State of Albania Spherule Research”. 31st International Geological Congress. Rio De Janiero-Brazil. August 6-2000.

12. Thank you very much