Prerequisites:

First-cycle Bologna degree or a university degree in the natural sciences.

Content (Syllabus outline):

• Geological cycle; Sediments – diagenesis – sedimentary rocks.

Selected seminar topics:

• Origin of sedimentary rocks;
• Provenance analysis based on elemental, mineralogic, and isotopic composition of siliciclastic rocks;
• Chemical composition and mineralogy of marine sediments;
• Terrestrial chemical sediments
• Stable isotope geochemistry and sedimentary record;
• Geochemistry of organic-rich rocks and their potential for petroleum generation
• Geochemistry of carbonates, siliceous rocks, Fe, Mn and P sediments;
• Evaporites: paleoclimate and evolution of ocean chemistry ;
• Diagenesis and metasomatism: impact on geochemical signatures;
• Geochemical record of global events and mass extinctions.

Readings:

• Izbrana poglavja /Selected chapters:
• James R. 2005. Marine biogeochemical cycles, Elsevier, 2nd edition, 130 pp.
• Holland H. & Turekian K. (Eds.) 2014. Treatise on Geochemistry, izbrana poglavja iz
• 9: Sediments, Diagenesis and Sedimentary Rocks, in
• Vol. 7: Surface and Grounwater, Weathering and Soils.

Objectives and competences:

The course topic is broadly related to all other subject of the module. It is aimed at deepening the understanding of selected problems of geochemistry of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Following an introductory series of lectures, a student selects a seminar topic from a list (above), writes and presents a paper, typically from an area related to the theme of his/her master thesis.

Intended learning outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding:

Student shows articulated knowledge of biogeochemical cycles and fundamentals of geochemistry of sedimentary rocks. He/she acquires an advanced understanding from published work in the chosen area of geochemistry related to the topic of his/her master thesis or other related subjects.

Assessment:

Written seminar paper and defence (100 %).