1. Developing fundamental gas-geochemistry research and building a team of excellence and equipment facilities
   • Expertise on gas origin and release to aquifers, soil and atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources, and their environmental and energy resource implications
2. Demonstrative gas-geochemical studies with holistic approach
   • environmental impact: soil-water pollution by hydrocarbons and hazard
   • scientific gaps: geo-methane emission to the atmosphere
   • opening new research prospectives: natural hydrogen in Romania

A bubbling crater of the Pâclele Mari mud volcano, România (photo by G. Etiope)