Ramon Mercedes-Martín, PhD
Carbonate sedimentologist
ABOUT ME
I am a carbonate sedimentologist currently developing new geochemical, hydrochemical and experimental approaches to better understand the sedimentology, stratigraphic architecture and diagenesis in alkaline lacustrine basins.
I am particularly interested in understanding the biogeochemical controls governing the multi-scale heterogeneity of microbial-influenced carbonates using outcrop, thin-section and laboratory datasets.
Furthermore, I am involved in developing E-Geosciences.com, an innovative e-learning platform that aims to be an international meeting point for students, educators and professionals in geosciences.
MY SKILLS
Carbonate Sedimentology
From microbial laminae to seismic-scale facies architectures
Carbonate Petrography
From micron-sized particles to centimetre-sized carbonate grains
Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy
From outcrop-scale surfaces to models of chemical stratigraphy
Crystal Biogeochemistry
From microbe-mineral interactions to crystal-organic templates
EDUCATION
2014
PhD Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
“Microbial carbonates as outcrop analogues for the characterisation and modelisation of carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs” (Funded by REPSOL Exploration)
2005
MSc. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
“Sedimentology and biostratigraphy of the Campanian syn-orogenic carbonates of Barranco de la Podega (Tremp Basin, NE Spain)”
2001
BSc. Geology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
RESEARCH TOPICS
Non-skeletal carbonate factories
Abiotic and biotic signatures in carbonates
Diagenetic processes in alkaline lakes
Stratigraphical and biogeochemical signatures of environmental change
PUBLICATIONS
Five most relevant publications :
Mercedes-Martín, R., Ayora, C., Tritlla, J., Sánchez-Román, M. (2019). The hydrochemical evolution of alkaline volcanic lakes: a model to understand the Cretaceous Presalt mineral assemblages. Earth-Science Reviews, 198, 102938.
Mercedes-Martín, R., Brasier, A. T., Rogerson, M. R., Reijmer, J.J.G., Vonhof, H. B., and Pedley, H. M. (2017). A depositional model for spherulitic carbonates associated with alkaline, volcanic lakes. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 86, 168-191.
Mercedes-Martín, R., Rogerson, M. R., Brasier, A. T., Vonhof, H. B., Prior, T. J., Fellows, S. M., Reijmer, J.J.G., Billing, I. and Pedley, H. M. (2016). Growing spherulitic calcite grains in saline, hyperalkaline lakes: experimental evaluation of the effects of Mg-clays and organic acids. Sedimentary Geology, 335, 93-102.
Mercedes-Martín, R., Arenas, C., and Salas, R. (2014). Diversity and factors controlling widespread occurrence of syn-rift Ladinian microbialites in the western Tethys (Triassic Catalan Basin, NE Spain). Sedimentary Geology, 313, 68-90.
Mercedes‐Martín, R., Salas, R., and Arenas, C. (2014). Microbial‐dominated carbonate platforms during the Ladinian rifting: sequence stratigraphy and evolution of accommodation in a fault‐controlled setting (Catalan Coastal Ranges, NE Spain). Basin Research, 26(2), 269-296
TEACHING & TRAINING
CONSULTANCY & FIELD TRIPS
I am engaged as carbonate consultant in projects for the oil industry providing custom-tailored training courses and seminars which combines field and experimental datasets…
