ID:
502189
Duration (hours):
56
CFU:
6
SSD:
GEOCHIMICA E VULCANOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 10/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course provides an introduction to geochemistry and is aimed at undergraduate students who require an appropriate understanding of basic chemical principles of geological processes. The objective of the course is to familiarise students with the tools of geochemistry, that include thermodynamics, kinetics, trace element geochemistry, isotope geochemistry and petrochronology. A quantitative approach of geological processes using major and trace elements, as well as radiogenic and stable isotopes is stressed wherever possible.
Among expected learning outcomes are the capability to interpret chemical and isotopic fractionation processes, to use elements and isotopic ratios as tracers of geologic and petrogenetic processes, and to reconstruct the elemental cycles in different environments.
Among expected learning outcomes are the capability to interpret chemical and isotopic fractionation processes, to use elements and isotopic ratios as tracers of geologic and petrogenetic processes, and to reconstruct the elemental cycles in different environments.
Course Prerequisites
The course requires basic notions of Mathematics, and Chemistry, as provided in the Degree courses of Geological Sciences, and namely: atomic particles and structure, isotopes, periodic table of the elements, electronic configuration, valence, metallic and non-metallic properties, atomic radius, ionization potential, electronegativity, ionic and covalent bonds, trends of the chemical properties across the periodic table. These notions will be reviewed at the beginning of the course.
Teaching Methods
The course consists in lectures that include the explanation of the theoretical aspects and the development of exercises and calculations to illustrate through practical examples the application of the theory to geochemical problems.
Assessment Methods
For students attending the course there will be a mid-course assessment consisting of 4-5 open questions designed to test their knowledge of the concepts taught. At the end of the course, there will be a final oral exam where, in addition to testing their knowledge of the course material, students' ability to solve geochemical problems similar to those discussed in class will be assessed.
Texts
Main textbooks: White W.M. 2013. Geochemistry. Wiley-Blackwell - Gill, Robin, Chemical fundamentals of geology and environmental geoscience, 2015, Chapman and Hall. Edizione 2015 disponibile online su Perlego. - Francis Albarède, Geochemistry: An Introduction, 2009, Cambridge University Press. Edizione 2009 disponibile online su Perlego, Edizione 2003. - Rollinson & Pease, using Geochemical Data to Understand Geological Processes, 2nd edition, Cambridge Press Suggested readings: - Winter J.D. 2014. Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Pearson Education Limited Alexander P., Practical Geochemistry, Springer Textbook
Contents
Fundamentals of geochemistry.
Review of the main properties of the elements with regards to their position in the periodic table. The internal structure of the atoms.
Primordial and stellar nucleosyntheses. Elemental abundances in the universe and in the solar system. Meteorites. Origin and differentiation of the Earth. The Earth structure and composition. The atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere.
The classification of the elements of geological interest. Major, minor and trace elements. Compatible and incompatible elements. Large Ion Lithophile Elements (LILE), 3d Transition elements. High Field Strength Elements (HFSE), Rare Earth Elements (REE), Platinum Group Elements (PGE). Goldschmidt’s classification of the elements.
Geochronology
Types of radioactive decay. The decay equation. Decay series. Nuclide chart.
Age dating methods The Rb-Sr system and its application to magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The evolution of Sr isotopes on the Earth and dating of sedimentary rocks. The Sm-Nd system. Sr and Nd isotopes as tracers of petrogenetic processes. The U-Th-Pb system. Geochemistry of U and Th. Conditions for secular equilibrium. U-Pb dating of zircons. Concordia and Discordia diagrams for U-Pb . The Pb-Pb system and the geochron. Age of meteorites and of the Earth The K-Ar method and its application. The Ar-Ar method. Dating with 14C.
Geochemistry of high temperature processes
Revision of thermodynamics and definition of system, phase and component. Solutions and thermodynamics of multicomponent system. Binary phase diagrams. The phase rule. Examples of systems with complete solid solution, with eutectic, with peritectic. Two phase liquids and exsolutions. Melting and crystallization at equilibrium or fractional, and the relative effects on the final rock or liquid produced. Ternary phase diagrams. Influence of P and H2O content on phase equilibria.
Genesis and chemical evolution of magmas. Behaviour of major and minor elements. Trace elements and their classification based on their geochemical behaviour. Solid-liquid partition coefficients. Factors affecting the value of partition coefficients (P, T, crystal structure and melt composition). The evolution of mantle and crust. Primitive mantle and depleted mantle.
Review of the main properties of the elements with regards to their position in the periodic table. The internal structure of the atoms.
Primordial and stellar nucleosyntheses. Elemental abundances in the universe and in the solar system. Meteorites. Origin and differentiation of the Earth. The Earth structure and composition. The atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere.
The classification of the elements of geological interest. Major, minor and trace elements. Compatible and incompatible elements. Large Ion Lithophile Elements (LILE), 3d Transition elements. High Field Strength Elements (HFSE), Rare Earth Elements (REE), Platinum Group Elements (PGE). Goldschmidt’s classification of the elements.
Geochronology
Types of radioactive decay. The decay equation. Decay series. Nuclide chart.
Age dating methods The Rb-Sr system and its application to magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The evolution of Sr isotopes on the Earth and dating of sedimentary rocks. The Sm-Nd system. Sr and Nd isotopes as tracers of petrogenetic processes. The U-Th-Pb system. Geochemistry of U and Th. Conditions for secular equilibrium. U-Pb dating of zircons. Concordia and Discordia diagrams for U-Pb . The Pb-Pb system and the geochron. Age of meteorites and of the Earth The K-Ar method and its application. The Ar-Ar method. Dating with 14C.
Geochemistry of high temperature processes
Revision of thermodynamics and definition of system, phase and component. Solutions and thermodynamics of multicomponent system. Binary phase diagrams. The phase rule. Examples of systems with complete solid solution, with eutectic, with peritectic. Two phase liquids and exsolutions. Melting and crystallization at equilibrium or fractional, and the relative effects on the final rock or liquid produced. Ternary phase diagrams. Influence of P and H2O content on phase equilibria.
Genesis and chemical evolution of magmas. Behaviour of major and minor elements. Trace elements and their classification based on their geochemical behaviour. Solid-liquid partition coefficients. Factors affecting the value of partition coefficients (P, T, crystal structure and melt composition). The evolution of mantle and crust. Primitive mantle and depleted mantle.
Course Language
Italian
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Degrees
Degrees
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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