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Dr. János Kovács
Department of Geology
& Meteorology
University of Pécs, Hungary
Joint affiliation:
Environmental Analytical & Geoanalytical Research Group
Contact: +3672503600 ext. 24245, 29150
Biography
Habilitation (University of Pécs, Hungary) 2014
PhD (University of Pécs, Hungary) 2004
MSc (Janus Pannonius University, Pécs, Hungary) 1998
2022-recent: full professor of geology (University of Pécs) and researcher (Szentágothai RC)
2015-2022: associate professor of geology (University of Pécs) and researcher (Szentágothai RC)
2012-2014: assistant professor of geology (University of Pécs) and researcher (Szentágothai RC)
2011-2012: post-doctoral fellow, Institute of Applied Geology (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
2008 visiting fellow, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
2004-2011: assistant professor of geology, University of Pécs
2002-2004: advanced studies in geology, Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary
2000-2001: doctoral studies, Universidade do Algarve, CIMA, Portugal
1999 doctoral studies, University of Wolverhampton, UK
Research interests
Working on Late Miocene-Quaternary sedimentology and stratigraphy mostly in Central Europe.
Paleosols
Siliciclastic sedimentology
Chemical weathering
LT geochemistry
Stable isotope geochemistry
Pliocene-Quaternary megafauna
Geochemical proxies in paleoclimatology
Current research opportunities
DANUBE LOESS: a geo-scientific network on palaeoclimatic research (U. Hambach, S. Markovic, G. Újvári, Gy. Varga)
Plio/Pleistocene paleonvironmental reconstruction, mammal teeth stable isotopes (T. Vennemann, L. Kocsis)
GeoEnergy (Geochem Ltd., Mecsekérc Ltd., Rotaqua Ltd., Rockstudies Ltd., GFZ Potsdam - Geoenergy)
Commette and Society Service
1. Member of
Hungarian Geographical Society (MFT)
Hungarian Geological Society (MhFT)
International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG)
European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Geochemical Society (GS)
Past Global Changes (PAGES)
International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS)
2. Editorial
Frontiers in Earth Science (associate editor - Quaternary Science, Geomorphology and Paleoenvironment)
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (editor of Geological Oceanography)
Central European Geology (editor of Quaternary Geology)
3. Peer Review - Publons
Selected publication (Full list)
Journal papers: academic
2024
Gammoudi, N., Kovács, J., Gresina, F. & Varga, G. (2024) Combined use of Hysplit model and MODIS Aerosols Optical Depth to study the spatiotemporal circulation patterns of Saharan dust events over Central Europe. Aeolian Research 67-69, 100899. doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100899
Waluyo, G., Laksono, F.A.T., Zaenurrohman, J.A., Mishra, M., Piranti, A.S. & Kovács, J. (accepted) Sediment Dredging Assessment of the Mrica Banjarnegara Hydroelectric Reservoir Based on Technical and Economic Aspects. Lake and Reservoir Management
Laksono, F.A.T., Mishra, M., Mulyana, B. & Kovács, J. (2024) Exploring the Mediterranean Tsunami Research Landscape: Scientometric Insights and Future Prospects. Geoenvironmental Disasters 11, 6., doi: 10.1186/s40677-024-00269-6
Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Salem, A., Puhl-Rezsek, M., Gałka, M. & Kovács, J. (2024) The evolution of meandering rivers in sedimentary basins: insights from the lower Drava (Hungary/Croatia). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 48, 642-663., doi: 10.1002/esp.5726
2023
Kiss, G.I., Szabó, P., Túri, M., Futó, I., Kovács, J. & Palcsu, L. (2023) Comparison and establishment of a preparation method for oxygen isotope determination of phosphate in mammal teeth. Central European Geology 66, doi: 10.1556/24.2023.00132
Laksono, F.A.T., Borzí, L., Distefano, S., Czirok, L., Halmai, Á., Di Stefano, A., Kovács, J. (2023) Shoreline Change Dynamics Along the Augusta Coast, Eastern Sicily, South Italy. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 48, 2630-2641., doi: 10.1002/esp.5644
Farkas, B., Sipos, G., Bartyik, T., Józsa, E., et al. (2023) Characterization and mapping of MIS-2 thermal contraction crack polygons in Western Transdanubia, Hungary. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 34, 417-427., doi:10.1002/ppp.2190
2022
Laksono, F.A.T., Borzí, L., Distefano, S., Di Stefano, A., Kovács, J. (2022) Shoreline Prediction Modelling as a Base Tool for Coastal Management:
The Catania Plain Case Study (Italy). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 10, 1988.
Koroncz, P., Farakas, M.P., Vízhányó, Z., Kunz, M., ....... and Kovács, J. (2022) Experimental Rock Characterisation of Upper Pannonian sandstones from Szentes geothermal field, Hungary. Energies 15, 9136.
Újvári, G., Klötzli, U., Stevens, T., Svensson, A., et al. (2022) Greenland ice core record of last glacial dust sources and atmospheric circulation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmosphere 127, e2022JD036597.
Szabó, P., Kovács, J., Kocsis, L., Vennemann, T., Domingo, L., Újvári, G., Halmai, Á., Pirkhoffer, E. & Codrea, V. (2022) Pliocene - Early Pleistocene continental climate and vegetation in Europe based on stable isotope compositions of mammal tooth enamel. Quaternary Science Reviews 288, 107572.
Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Kovács, J., Gałka, M. & Sipos G. (2022) Conditions to preserve sedimentary record of channel planforms in temperate rivers of the Northern Hemisphere. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 127, e2021JF006188.
Laksono, F.A.T., Widagdo, A., Aditama, M.R., Fauzan M.R., Kovács, J. (2022) Tsunami hazard zone and multiple scenarios of tsunami evacuation route at Jetis Beach, Cilacap Regency, Indonesia. Sustainability 14, 2726.
Laksono, F.A.T., Fauzan, M.R., Widagdo, A., Kovács, J. (2022) Karangkemiri village landslide potential risk mapping based on integrating litho-structure and morphology. International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology 12, 681-689.
2021
Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Kovács, J., Gałka, M. & Sipos G. (2021) Phases of fluvial activity in loess landscapes: findings from the Sió valley (Transdanubia, Central Europe). Catena 198, 105054.
2020
Kovács, J., Újvári, G., Varga, G., Seelos, K., Szabó, P., Dezső, J. & Gammoudi, N. (2020) Plio-Pleistocene dust traps on paleokarst surfaces: a case study from the Carpathian Basin. Frontiers in Earth Science 8, 189, doi: 10.3389/feart.2020.00189.
Kovács, J., Farics, É., Szabó, P. & Sajó, I. (2020) Fe–Al phosphate microcrystals in pedogenic goethite pisoliths. Minerals 10, 357, doi.org/10.3390/min10040357.
Kovács, J., Németh, K., Szabó, P., Kocsis, L., Kereszturi, G., Újvári, G., & Vennemann, T. (2020) Volcanism and paleoenvironment of the Pula maar complex: A Pliocene terrestrial fossil site in Central Europe (Hungary). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 537, 109398.
Hervai, A., Farics, É., Sisák, I., Farkas, G., Kovács, J. & Lóczy, D. (2020) Influence of flood waves, production wells, and precipitation on shallow groundwater using a linear regression model approach based on a case study of Mohács Island, Hungary. Water 12, 1359, doi.org/10.3390/w12051359.
Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Kovács, J. & Gałka, M. (2020) The formation of low-energy meanders in loess landscapes (Transdanubia, central Europe). Global and Planetary Change 184, 103071.
Körösi, L., Pertics, B., Schneider, G., Bognár, B., Kovács, J., Maynen, V., Scarpellini, A., Pasquale, L., & Prato, M. (2020) Photocatalytic inactivation of plant pathogenic bacteria using TiO2 nanoparticles prepared hydrothermally. Nanomaterials 10, 1730.
2019
Pernyeszi, T., Farkas, R. & Kovács, J. (2019) Methylene blue adsorption study on microcline particles in the function of particle size range and temperature. Minerals 9, 555, doi.org/10.3390/min9090555.
Varga, Gy., Gresina, F., Újvári, G., Kovács, J. & Szalai, Z. (2019) On the reliability and comparability of laser diffraction grain size measurements of paleosols in loess records. Sedimentary Geology 389, 42-53.
Varga, Gy., Újvári, G. & Kovács, J. (2019) Interpretation of sedimentary (sub)populations extracted from grain size distributions of Central European loess-paleosol series. Quaternary International 502, 60-70.
2018
Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Marciniak, A., Tóth, G. & Kovács, J. (2018) Evolution of river planforms downstream of dams. Effect of dam construction or earlier human-induced changes? Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 43, 2045–2063.
Rübsam, W., Müller, T., Kovács J., Pálfy, J. & Schwark, L. (2018) Environmental response to the early Toarcian carbon cycle and climate perturbations in the northeastern part of the West-Tethys shelf. Gondwana Research 59, 144-158.
Varga, Gy., Kovács, J., Szalai, Z., Cserháti, Cs. & Újvári, G. (2018) Granulometric characterization of paleosols in loess series by automated static image analysis. Sedimentary Geology 370, 1-14.
Körösi, L., Bognár, B., Horváth, M., Schneider, G., Kovács, J., Scarpellini, A., Castelli, A., Colombo, M. & Prato, M. (2018) Hydrothermal evolution of PF-co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 231, 115-122.
2017
Újvári, G., Stevens, T., Molnár, M., Demény, A., Lambert, F., Varga, Gy., Jull, A.J.T., Páll-Gergely, B., Buylaert, J.-P. and Kovács, J. (2017) Coupled European and Greenland last glacial dust activity driven by North Atlantic climate. PNAS 114, 10632–10638. doi/10.1073/pnas.1712651114.
Szabó, P., Kocsis, L., Vennemann, T., Pandolfi, L., Kovács, J., Martinetto, E. & Demény, A. (2017) Pliocene-Early Pleistocene climatic trends in the Italian Peninsula based on stable oxygen and carbon isotope composition of rhinoceros and gomphothere tooth enamel. Quaternary Science Reviews 157, 52–65.
Polgári, M., Szaniszló, B., Horiuchi. K,(...........), Kovács, J. & Dódony, I. (2017) Characterization and 10Be content of iron carbonate concretions for genetic aspects - Weathering, desert varnish or burning: rim effects in iron carbonate concretions. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 173, 58–69.
2016
Varga, Gy., Cserháti, Cs., Kovács, J. & Szalai, Z. (2016) Saharan dust deposition in the Carpathian Basin and its possible effects on interglacial soil formation. Aeolian Research 22, 1–12.
Újvári, G., Kok, J.F., Varga, Gy. & Kovács, J. (2016) The physics of wind-blown loess: implications for grain size proxy interpretations in Quaternary paleoclimate studies. Earth-Science Reviews 154, 247–278.
Körösi, L., Dömötör, D., Scarpellini, A., Prato, M., Kovács, J., Kovács, T. & Papp, S. (2016) H2O2-assisted photocatalysis on flower-like rutile TiO2 nanostructures: Rapid dye degradation and inactivation of bacteria. Applied Surface Science 365, 171–179.
2015
Újvári, G., Stevens, T., Svensson, A., Klötzli, U., Manning, C., Németh, T., Kovács, J., Sweeney, M., Gocke, M., Wiesenberg, G., Markovic S., & Zech M. (2015) Two possible source regions for Central Greenland last glacial dust. Geophysical Research Letters 42, 10399–10408.
Kovács, J., Szabó, P., Kocsis, L., Vennemann, T., Sabol, M., Gasparik, M. & Virág, A. (2015) Pliocene and Early Pleistocene paleoenvironmental conditions in the Pannonian Basin (Hungary, Slovakia): stable isotope analyses of fossil proboscidean and perissodactyl teeth. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 440, 455–466.
Markovic, S.B., Stevens, T., Kukla, G.J.,(...........), Kovács, J. & Svircev, Z. (2015) Danube loess stratigraphy – Towards a pan-European loess stratigraphic model. Earth-Science Reviews 148, 228–258.
Körösi, L., Prato, M., Scarpellini, A., Kovács, J., Meynen, V. & Papp, S. (2015) Hydrothermal synthesis, structure and photocatalytic activity of PF-co- doped TiO2. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing 30, 442–450.
Kovács, J., Sajó, I., Márton, Zs., Jáger, V., Hegedüs, T., Berecz, T., Tóth,T., Gyenizse, P. & Podobni, A. (2015) Csátalja, the largest H4–5 chondrite from Hungary. Planetary and Space Science 105, 94–100.
Sajó, I., Kovács, J., Fitzsimmons, K.E., Jáger, V., Lengyel, Gy., Viola, B., Talamo, S. & Hublin, J.-J. (2015) Core-shell processing of natural pigment: Upper Palaeolithic red ochre from Lovas, Hungary. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0131762. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131762
2014
Újvári, G., Molnár, M., Novotny, Á., Páll-Gergely, B., Kovács, J., Várhegyi, A. (2014) AMS 14C and OSL/IRSL dating of the Dunaszekcső loess sequence (Hungary): chronology for 20 to 150 ka and implications for establishing reliable age-depth models for the last 40 ka. Quaternary Science Reviews 106, 140–154.
Varga, Gy., Cserháti, Cs., Kovács, J., Szeberényi, J. & Bradák, B. (2014) Unusual Saharan dust events in the Carpathian Basin (Central Europe) in 2013 and early 2014. Weather 69, 309–313.
Varga, Gy., Újvári, G., Kovács, J. (2014) Spatiotemporal patterns of Saharan dust outbreaks in the Mediterranean Basin. Aeolian Research 15, 151– 160.
Fábián, Sz. Á., Kovács, J., Varga, G., Sipos, Gy., Horváth, Z., Thamó-Bozsó, E. & Tóth, G. (2014) Distribution of relict permafrost features in Pannonian Basin (Hungary). Boreas 43, 722–732.
Újvári, G., Varga, A., Raucsik, B., Kovács, J. (2014) The Paks loess-paleosol sequence: a record of chemical weathering and provenance for the last 800 ka in the mid-Carpathian Basin. Quaternary International 319, 22–37.
2013
Katona, L.T., Kovács, J., Magyar, I., Sötő-Szentai, M. & Berta, T. (2013) A new occurrence of classic “Árpád-type” mollusk fauna from the Upper Miocene of Kozármisleny, southern Hungary. Geologia Croatica 66, 111–118.
Kovács, J., Raucsik, B., Varga, A., Újvári, G., Varga, Gy. & Ottner, F. (2013) Clay Mineralogy of Red Clay Deposits from the Central Carpathian Basin (Hungary): Implications for Plio/Pleistocene Chemical Weathering and Paleoclimate. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences 22, 414–426.
Varga, Gy., Kovács, J., Újvári, G., (2013) Analysis of Saharan dust intrusions into the Carpathian Basin (Central Europe) over the period of 1979-2011. Global and Planetary Change 100, 333–342.
2012
Varga, Gy., Kovács J. & Újvári, G. (2012) Late Pleistocene variations of the background aeolian dust concentration in the Carpathian Basin: an estimate using decomposition of grain-size distribution curves of loess deposits. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences - Geologie en Mijnbouw 91,159–171.
Kovács J., Moravcova M., Ujvari G., Pinter A.G. (2012) Reconstructing the paleoenvironment of East Central Europe in the Late Pleistocene using the oxygen and carbon isotopic signal of tooth in large mammal remains. Quaternary International 276-277, 145–154.
Újvári, G., Varga, A., Ramos, F.C., Kovács J., Németh, T. & Stevens, T. (2012) Evaluating the use of clay mineralogy, Sr-Nd isotopes and zircon U-Pb ages in tracking dust provenance: an example from loess of the Carpathian Basin. Chemical Geology 304–305, 83–96.
Kovács J. (2012) Radiocarbon chronology of Late Pleistocene large mammal faunas from the Pannonian basin (Hungary). Bulletin of Geosciences 87, 13–19.
Katona, L., Kovács J., Kordos, L., Szappanos, B. & Linkai, I. (2012) The Csajág mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) – Late Pleniglacial finds from Hungary and their chronological significance. Quaternary International 255, 130–138.
2011-2007
Kovács J., Fábián, Sz.Á., Varga, G., Újvári, G., Varga, Gy. & Dezső, J. (2011) Plio-Pleistocene red clay deposits in the Pannonian basin: A review. Quaternary International 240, 35–43.
Kereszturi, G., Németh, K., Csillag, G., Balogh, K. & Kovács J.(2011) The role of external environmental factors in changing eruption styles of monogenetic volcanoes in a Mio/Pleistocene continental volcanic field in western Hungary. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 201, 227–240.
Újvári, G., Kovács J., Varga, Gy., Raucsik, B. & Markovic, S.B., 2010. Dust flux estimates for the Last Glacial Period in East Central Europe based on terrestrial records of loess deposits: a review. Quaternary Science Reviews 29, 3157-3166.
Konrád, Gy., Kovács J., Halász, A., Sebe, K. & Pálffy, H. (2010) Late Quaternary woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius Blum.) remains from southern Transdanubia, Hungary. Comptes Rendus Palevol 9, 47–54.
Kovács J. (2008) Grain-size analysis of the Neogene red clay formation in the Pannonian Basin. International Journal of Earth Sciences 97, 171– 178.
Kovács J. (2007) Chemical weathering intensity of the Late Cenozoic red clay deposits in the Carpathian Basin. Geochemistry International 45, 1056–1063.
Books:
Kovács J. & Czigány Sz. (2017) Soils and weathering In: Richardson, D., Liu, W. & Pratt G.(Eds.) The International Encyclopedia of Geography:People, the Earth, Environment, and Technology. Wiley-AAG, Online ISBN: 978-1-11878-635-2
Kovács J. (2015) 2 entries In: Hargitai, H & Kereszturi, Á. (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer (Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series), “Sand-wedge polygon”, and “Composite-wedge polygon” (with Hargitai, H.). ISBN: 978-1-4614-3133-6
Kovács J. (2013) 3 entries In: Bobrowsky, P. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards. Springer (Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series), “Flood deposits”, “Loess” (with Varga, Gy.), and “Quick sand”. ISBN: 978-90-481-8699-0
Fábián, S.Á., Kovács J, Tarnocai, C. & Varga, G. (2009) Similarities Between the Recent Permafrost in North-western Canada and the Pleistocene relict cryogenic forms in Central Europe (Hungary). In: Krugger M.I. & Stern H.P. (eds.) New Permafrost and Glacier Research. Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp. 107–129. ISBN: 978-1-60692-616-1
Supervises
Eszter Keresztény-Bornbás MSc, (2022-recent) Secondary raw materials, critical raw materials
Anjar Tri Laksono MSc, (2021-recent) Ancient shoreline changes modeling in the high-risk tsunami area based on the sediment chemical proxies and microfossil assemblage
Justine Myovela MSc, (co-supervised under Dr. Márta Berkesi and Dr. Eszter Sendula; 2021-recent) 3D Raman Imaging of multiphase fluid and melt inclusions
Péter Koroncz MSc, (co-supervised under Dr. Ferenc Fedor; 2020-recent) Formation damage in injection wells
Nadia Gammoudi MSc, (co-supervised under Dr. György Varga; 2018-recent) The impact of eolian dust particles and dust storms on climate change
Péter Szabó PhD, (2012-2019) Stable isotopes of Late Pliocene large mammals
György Varga PhD, (2007-2010) Aeolian dust deposits, Pliocene-Quaternary of Central Europe
Teaching areas
Introductory Geology
Sedimentary geology
Analytical techniques in geology
Hobby: photography (see my photos at 500px)
If you are bored... stay in the HOLOCENE
For my students: MIRACLES